Mushroom Barley Soup
A hearty and flavorful soup featuring earthy mushrooms and chewy barley, this Ukrainian-inspired dish is a comforting and nourishing meal, often enriched with root vegetables and fresh herbs.
🧂 Ingredients
- 0.5 cup Pearl barley
- 20 g Dried mushrooms (like porcini)
- 2 tbsp Butter or vegetable oil
- 1 large Onions, chopped
- 2 medium Carrots, chopped
- 2 stalks Celery stalks, chopped
- 400 g Fresh mushrooms (like cremini or shiitake), sliced
- 8 cups Vegetable or mushroom broth
- 1 piece Bay leaf
- 0.25 cup Fresh dill, chopped
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- for serving (optional) Sour cream or crème fraîche
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Rinse the pearl barley under cold water and soak it in warm water for at least 1 hour (or overnight for quicker cooking). Drain and rinse again.
💡 Tip: Soaking barley helps it cook more evenly and reduces cooking time. - 2
In a small bowl, cover the dried mushrooms with 2 cups of hot water and let them rehydrate for about 20-30 minutes. Once softened, lift the mushrooms out of the water (reserve the soaking liquid), chop them, and strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any grit.
⏱️ 20-30 minutes - 3
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the butter or oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté until softened, about 8-10 minutes.
⏱️ 8-10 minutes - 4
Add the sliced fresh mushrooms and cook until they release their liquid and start to brown, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 5-7 minutes - 5
Pour in the vegetable or mushroom broth, the reserved mushroom soaking liquid, the soaked barley, chopped rehydrated mushrooms, and the bay leaf. Bring to a boil.
💡 Tip: Using mushroom broth or the soaking liquid from dried mushrooms adds extra depth of flavor. - 6
Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45-60 minutes, or until the barley is tender and cooked through. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 45-60 minutes - 7
Remove the bay leaf. Stir in the fresh chopped dill. Season generously with salt and black pepper to taste.
💡 Tip: Serve hot, garnished with a dollop of sour cream or crème fraîche if desired.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, use a combination of fresh and dried mushrooms.
- ✓Add other root vegetables like parsnips or potatoes if desired.
- ✓This soup freezes well; cool completely before freezing.
🔄 Variations
- Add a can of cream of mushroom soup for an extra creamy texture (as suggested in some recipes).
- Incorporate shredded chicken or small pieces of pork for added protein.