Simple Homemade Grain Vegetable Soup

Featured in: Simple One-Pot Home Comforts

This comforting dish features pearl barley toasted with sautéed onions, carrots, and celery, then simmered with zucchini, green beans, and cherry tomatoes in a fragrant vegetable broth. Seasoned with thyme, oregano, and fresh parsley, it offers a wholesome balance of flavors and textures. Perfect for a light lunch or cozy dinner, it’s simple to prepare and packed with nourishing ingredients. Variations with seasonal vegetables or gluten-free grains make it versatile and satisfying for many dietary needs.

Updated on Sun, 07 Dec 2025 16:50:00 GMT
Steaming bowl of Simple Homemade Grain and Vegetable Soup, seasoned with fresh parsley and ready to eat. Save
Steaming bowl of Simple Homemade Grain and Vegetable Soup, seasoned with fresh parsley and ready to eat. | rusticmint.com

A comforting, nourishing soup featuring whole grains and fresh vegetables—perfect for a light lunch or cozy meal any day.

This soup has become a staple in my home, warming us on chilly days and providing wholesome nourishment that everyone loves.

Ingredients

  • Grains: 1/2 cup (90 g) pearl barley (or brown rice, quinoa, or farro)
  • Vegetables: 1 medium onion, diced, 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced, 2 celery stalks, sliced, 1 medium zucchini, diced, 1 cup (150 g) green beans, trimmed and chopped, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved (or 1 large tomato, diced)
  • Broth & Seasonings: 6 cups (1.5 L) low-sodium vegetable broth, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Garnish: 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

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Step 1:
Rinse the grains under cold running water.
Step 2:
In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until starting to soften.
Step 3:
Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
Step 4:
Stir in the grains and toast for 1 to 2 minutes.
Step 5:
Add zucchini, green beans, tomatoes, broth, bay leaf, thyme, and oregano. Bring to a boil.
Step 6:
Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 30 to 35 minutes, or until grains and vegetables are tender.
Step 7:
Remove bay leaf. Stir in parsley and lemon juice, if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 8:
Serve hot, optionally with crusty bread.
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Close-up of hearty Simple Homemade Grain and Vegetable Soup, brimming with colorful vegetables. Save
Close-up of hearty Simple Homemade Grain and Vegetable Soup, brimming with colorful vegetables. | rusticmint.com

This recipe always brings the family together around the table, sharing stories over a warm bowl of soup.

Notes

For a heartier meal, add cooked beans or shredded rotisserie chicken if not vegetarian. Pairs well with a light Sauvignon Blanc or herbal tea.

Required Tools

Large soup pot, chef’s knife, cutting board, wooden spoon.

Allergen Information

Contains gluten if using barley or farro. For gluten-free, use rice or quinoa. No common allergens otherwise but always check broth labels for hidden ingredients.

Warm and comforting Simple Homemade Grain and Vegetable Soup, perfect for a cold day's lunch. Save
Warm and comforting Simple Homemade Grain and Vegetable Soup, perfect for a cold day's lunch. | rusticmint.com
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This simple homemade soup offers comfort and nutrition in every spoonful.

Simple Homemade Grain Vegetable Soup

A nourishing blend of grains and fresh vegetables for a cozy and healthy meal.

Prep Duration
15 minutes
Time to Cook
35 minutes
All Steps Time
50 minutes
Created by Benjamin Thomas


Skill Level Easy

Tradition International

Makes 4 Portions

Nutrition Info Plant-Based, No Dairy

What You'll Need

Grains

01 1/2 cup pearl barley (or substitute brown rice, quinoa, or farro)

Vegetables

01 1 medium onion, diced
02 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
03 2 celery stalks, sliced
04 1 medium zucchini, diced
05 1 cup green beans, trimmed and chopped
06 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or 1 large tomato, diced

Broth & Seasonings

01 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
02 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 1 bay leaf
04 1 teaspoon dried thyme
05 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
06 Salt and black pepper, to taste

Garnish

01 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
02 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)

Method

Step 01

Prepare grains: Rinse the grains thoroughly under cold running water.

Step 02

Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery; sauté for 5 minutes until softened.

Step 03

Add garlic: Incorporate minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently to release aroma.

Step 04

Toast grains: Stir in the rinsed grains and toast them for 1 to 2 minutes.

Step 05

Combine vegetables and seasonings: Add zucchini, green beans, tomatoes, vegetable broth, bay leaf, dried thyme, and oregano. Bring mixture to a boil.

Step 06

Simmer soup: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 to 35 minutes until grains and vegetables are tender.

Step 07

Finish and season: Remove bay leaf. Stir in chopped parsley and optional lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 08

Serve: Ladle soup into bowls and serve hot, optionally paired with crusty bread.

Tools Needed

  • Large soup pot
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Wooden spoon

Allergy Notes

Look over every ingredient for allergens, and reach out to your doctor if you're unsure.
  • Contains gluten if barley or farro is used; choose gluten-free grains to avoid gluten.

Nutrition Breakdown (each portion)

Provided as a general guide by Rustic Mint—always speak with your doctor for dietary help.
  • Energy (Kcal): 180
  • Lipids: 5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Proteins: 5 g