Creamy Vegetable Barley Soup

Name: Creamy Vegetable Barley Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 510 min
Total time: 520 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for stove top method only) 15 ounces chili beans, undrained; 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels; 1/2 cup medium pearl barley; 14.5 ounces fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained; 1 cup sliced white mushrooms; 1 cup chopped onion; 1 carrot, peeled and sliced; 1 stalk celery, sliced; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning, crushed; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 14 ounces low-sodium chicken broth; 1/4 cup cornstarch; 3 cups milk; 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Print Recipe

Serves: 4 to 6

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 8½ hours (or 50 minutes for stove top method)

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About Creamy Vegetable Barley Soup

Indulge in the comforting warmth of this creamy vegetable barley soup, a bowlful of rich flavors and nourishing ingredients. Hearty barley, vibrant vegetables, and a luscious, creamy broth come together to create a satisfying soup that’s as wholesome as it is delicious. Each spoonful brings a delightful blend of textures, with tender vegetables and chewy barley in every bite. Ideal for cozy evenings or anytime you crave something warm and soothing, this soup is a celebration of comfort food done right.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for stove top method only) 15 ounces chili beans, undrained

1/2 cup frozen corn kernels

1/2 cup medium pearl barley

14.5 ounces fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained

1 cup sliced white mushrooms

1 cup chopped onion

1 carrot, peeled and sliced

1 stalk celery, sliced

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning, crushed

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

14 ounces low-sodium chicken broth

1/4 cup cornstarch

3 cups milk

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation

01In a 3.5-to 5-quart slow cooker, combine the beans, corn, barley, tomatoes, mushrooms, onion, carrot, celery, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour chicken broth over the mixture and stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for approximately 8 ½ hours (or on high for approximately 4½ hours).

02 Near end of cooking time, whisk the cornstarch into milk. Stir the milk mixture into the slow cooker until well blended. (If the cooker is on low, turn it to high.) Continue cooking for approximately 20 minutes or until the soup has thickened.

03To serve, ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle each serving with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese.

04 For stove top method, using a soup pot, add vegetable oil and sauté the onion, mushrooms, celery, carrot, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper for approximately 5 minutes or until crisp-tender.

05 Stir in the beans, corn, barley, tomatoes, and chicken broth. Cover and cook until the barley is tender, approximately 30 minutes.

06 Whisk the corn starch into the milk, then stir into the soup. Let simmer, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes or until the soup is slightly thickened and creamy. Sprinkle each serving with fresh parsley and cheese.