Costco Recipes

Costco Vegetable Barley Soup Recipe

Costco Vegetable Barley Soup Recipe

This Costco Vegetable Barley Soup Recipe is a hearty and healthy recipe, which is made with pearled barley and diced tomatoes. It’s the perfect freezer-friendly meal, ready in about an hour.

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Costco Vegetable Barley Soup Recipe Ingredients

  • 1 yellow onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 lb. carrots (about 4)
  • 1 28oz. can diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup pearled barley
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • freshly cracked black pepper
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 russet potato (about 3/4 lb.)
  • 1 cup frozen green beans
  • 1/2 cup frozen corn
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 handful fresh parsley (optional garnish)

How To Make Costco Vegetable Barley Soup

  1. Sauté Aromatics: Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add the onion, garlic, and olive oil to a large soup pot or Dutch oven and sauté over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is soft and translucent.
  2. Build the Soup Base: While the onion cooks, peel and dice the carrots. Add the carrots to the pot along with the canned diced tomatoes (with their juices), pearled barley, basil, oregano, a generous amount of black pepper, and the vegetable broth.
  3. Simmer the Barley: Stir everything to combine, place a lid on the pot, and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Cook the Potatoes: While the soup simmers, peel and dice the potato into 1/2-inch cubes. After 30 minutes, add the diced potatoes to the pot and continue to simmer for 10 more minutes, or until both the barley and potatoes are tender.
  5. Add Frozen Vegetables: Stir in the frozen green beans, corn, and peas. Allow them to heat through in the simmering soup, which should take about 5 minutes.
  6. Finish and Serve: Turn off the heat and stir in the lemon juice. Taste the soup and adjust with salt or pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Costco Vegetable Barley Soup Recipe
Costco Vegetable Barley Soup Recipe

Recipe Tips

  • Why use a good quality broth? The vegetable broth forms the flavor foundation of this soup. Using a rich, full-flavored broth (like one made from a base like Better Than Bouillon) will make a significant difference.
  • Why add lemon juice at the end? The splash of lemon juice at the end brightens up all the savory and earthy flavors of the vegetables and herbs, making the whole soup taste fresher.
  • Can I use different vegetables? Absolutely. This soup is very flexible. Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms, celery, or sweet potatoes. For leafy greens like spinach or kale, stir them in at the very end until they wilt.
  • Will the soup get too thick? Barley is very absorbent and will continue to soak up broth as the soup sits. When reheating leftovers, you may need to add an extra splash of water or broth to reach your desired consistency.

What To Serve With Vegetable Barley Soup

This soup is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with:

  • A slice of crusty, rustic bread for dipping
  • A simple grilled cheese sandwich
  • Saltine crackers or oyster crackers

How To Store Vegetable Barley Soup

  • Refrigerate: Let the soup cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Freeze: This soup freezes exceptionally well. Let it cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

Vegetable Barley Soup Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: 250-300 kcal
  • Fat: 5g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Protein: 8g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Is this soup vegan?

Yes, as written, this recipe is fully vegan. Just ensure you are using a certified vegan vegetable broth.

Can I use quick-cooking barley?

You can, but you will need to adjust the cooking times significantly. Add the quick-cooking barley at the same time as the potatoes and simmer until both are tender, likely around 10-15 minutes.

Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

Yes. Sauté the onion and garlic first, then add them and all other ingredients (except the frozen vegetables and lemon juice) to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Stir in the frozen veggies and lemon juice during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

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Costco Vegetable Barley Soup Recipe

Recipe by LuluCourse: SoupsCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

50

minutes
Calories

300

kcal

A hearty, one-pot soup packed with a rainbow of vegetables and tender pearled barley in a savory herb broth.

Ingredients

  • 1 yellow onion, diced

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil

  • 4 carrots, peeled and diced

  • 1 (28oz) can diced tomatoes

  • 1 cup pearled barley

  • 1/2 tsp dried basil

  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano

  • Black pepper

  • 6 cups vegetable broth

  • 1 russet potato, diced

  • 1 cup frozen green beans

  • 1/2 cup frozen corn

  • 1/2 cup frozen peas

  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice

  • Fresh parsley (optional)

Directions

  • Sauté the diced onion and minced garlic in olive oil in a large pot until soft.
  • Add carrots, diced tomatoes, barley, herbs, pepper, and broth. Bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes until barley is mostly tender.
  • Add the diced potatoes and simmer for another 10 minutes until tender.
  • Stir in the frozen green beans, corn, and peas; heat through for about 5 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat, stir in the lemon juice, and season to taste before serving.

Notes

  • Using a flavorful, high-quality vegetable broth is key to a delicious soup.
  • The soup will thicken as it cools and sits; add a splash of water or broth when reheating if needed.
  • This recipe is very forgiving; feel free to substitute with your favorite vegetables.
  • Don’t skip the final splash of lemon juice—it brightens all the flavors.

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