Double Lentil and Mushroom Barley Soup (Printable)

Hearty vegan soup with red and brown lentils, mushrooms, pearl barley, and collard greens. A nourishing one-pot meal ready in 65 minutes.

# Ingredient list:

→ Legumes & Grains

01 - ½ cup red lentils, rinsed
02 - ½ cup brown lentils, rinsed
03 - ¾ cup pearl barley, rinsed

→ Vegetables

04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
06 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 2 medium carrots, diced
08 - 2 celery stalks, diced
09 - 10 ounces cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
10 - 4 cups chopped collard greens

→ Liquids

11 - 8 cups vegetable broth
12 - 1 cup water

→ Herbs & Seasonings

13 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - 2 bay leaves
16 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
17 - ½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
18 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish

# How-to:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic, diced carrots, and diced celery. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
03 - Add sliced mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes until softened and lightly browned.
04 - Stir in red lentils, brown lentils, pearl barley, dried thyme, smoked paprika, and bay leaves until evenly distributed.
05 - Pour in vegetable broth and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
06 - Cover the pot and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
07 - Add chopped collard greens, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes until barley and lentils reach tender consistency.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove bay leaves before serving.
09 - Ladle soup into individual bowls, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • High in fiber and provides 12g of protein per serving.
  • Uses simple, wholesome ingredients to create a deep, earthy flavor.
  • Vegan-friendly and easily adaptable for gluten-free diets.
02 -
  • Always rinse your lentils and barley thoroughly to remove any debris or excess starch.
  • If you are following a gluten-free diet, ensure you use a certified gluten-free grain and check all vegetable broth labels carefully.
  • Squeezing lemon juice over the soup at the end helps balance the earthy tones of the mushrooms and lentils.
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