Simple Homemade Grain Vegetable

Featured in: Rustic Crust Dinners & Trays

This comforting dish combines pearl barley or your choice of grains with a medley of fresh vegetables like carrots, zucchini, and green beans, simmered gently in a flavorful broth. Aromatic herbs such as thyme and oregano add depth, while fresh parsley and lemon juice brighten the final touch. Quick to prepare, this hearty blend makes a nourishing, light lunch or cozy meal suitable for various diets.

Updated on Sat, 06 Dec 2025 11:03:00 GMT
Steaming bowl of Simple Homemade Grain and Vegetable Soup, colorful and inviting with fresh parsley garnish. Save to Pinterest
Steaming bowl of Simple Homemade Grain and Vegetable Soup, colorful and inviting with fresh parsley garnish. | laurelcrust.com

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

This simple homemade soup has become a weeknight favorite for my family because it is easy to prepare and very satisfying.

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 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 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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Air fry, roast, reheat, and dehydrate foods quickly for crispy snacks and easy everyday meals.
Check price on Amazon
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Air fry, roast, reheat, and dehydrate foods quickly for crispy snacks and easy everyday meals.
Check price on Amazon
Hearty Simple Homemade Grain and Vegetable Soup, perfect for a cozy fall day, served with crusty bread. Save to Pinterest
Hearty Simple Homemade Grain and Vegetable Soup, perfect for a cozy fall day, served with crusty bread. | laurelcrust.com

Sharing this soup with my family always brings us closer, especially on chilly evenings when everyone appreciates the warmth it offers.

Required Tools

Large soup pot, Chefs 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.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 180, Total Fat: 5 g, Carbohydrates: 32 g, Protein: 5 g (per serving)

Close-up of Simple Homemade Grain and Vegetable Soup, showcasing tender vegetables and flavorful broth. Save to Pinterest
Close-up of Simple Homemade Grain and Vegetable Soup, showcasing tender vegetables and flavorful broth. | laurelcrust.com
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This soup is a simple yet versatile dish that you can customize to your liking for any season.

Simple Homemade Grain Vegetable

A wholesome blend of grains and fresh vegetables, perfect for a light, cozy meal any day.

Prep time
15 minutes
Cook time
35 minutes
Total time
50 minutes
Recipe by Scarlett Jenkins


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine International

Portions 4 Servings

Dietary Details Plant-Based, No Dairy

What You'll Need

Grains

01 1/2 cup pearl barley (or substitute with 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)

How To Make It

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 onion, carrots, and celery; sauté for 5 minutes until they begin to soften.

Step 03

Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Step 04

Toast Grains: Add the rinsed grains to the pot and toast for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring to coat evenly.

Step 05

Combine Vegetables and Spices: Incorporate zucchini, green beans, tomatoes, vegetable broth, bay leaf, thyme, and oregano. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.

Step 06

Simmer Soup: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 30 to 35 minutes, or until grains and vegetables reach tender consistency.

Step 07

Finish and Season: Discard the bay leaf. Stir in chopped parsley and lemon juice if desired. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 08

Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot, optionally accompanied by crusty bread.

Tools Needed

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

Allergy Awareness

Always check each ingredient for possible allergens and reach out to a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Contains gluten if barley or farro is used.
  • Check broth labels for hidden allergens.

Nutrition details (per serving)

For your reference only—don’t take this as medical advice.
  • Calories: 180
  • Fats: 5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Proteins: 5 g