Barley and Cannellini bean Soup, this is love, cozy and comfort in a bowl. Always bring me back to my Italian home with those harvest fresh flavors, and lovely textures. Fall is in the air, cooler nights are coming. This soup is the perfect thing to wrap your hands around and enjoy!
Song of the day: "Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Green Day.
[This post is sponsored by Ontario Bean Growers. We’ve been compensated but -as always- all opinions are our own.]
Soup season has sprung!
I don't know about you, however in our part of the woods it is a little bit colder, especially our mornings and evenings. I love this harvest season, so many wonderful things to make incredible soups. Beans are also a favorite of ours and white beans/cannellini, likewise, are sweet, earthy, starchy, and delicious. Perfect for this Barley and Cannellini bean soup!
Time to get into the kitchen and make some Barley and Cannellini bean soup!
Are you one of those that loves the aroma of soup simmering in the kitchen? I definitely am. It brings me back home to some fall Sundays when my parents would be up making brodo (broth) and a delicious soup for lunch!
Today we are going to do just that. So get your aprons on, come into our kitchen, and let's get started!
The ingredients for this Barley and Cannellini bean soup!
- pearled barley
- cannellini beans
- purple onion, minced
- carrots, finely diced
- celery, finely diced
- cherry tomatoes, quartered
- cabbage, shredded
- bay leaf
- fresh rosemary
- vegetable stock
- salt and pepper
The first two steps of making this soup!
As with any soups, we need to build the flavor. To do this we are going to:
- Sauté the mirepoix (carrots, celery, onion) with the garlic, herbs, bay leaf, and olive oil.
- Remember to season at this point with salt and pepper.
- The next step is to toast the barley in all that flavorful goodness. Some good stirring is needed here. Then in goes the broth. Turn heat down to a low simmer. I can just smell the aroma. It is making me so hungry, however will have to wait!
The last two stages of cooking this Barley and Cannellini bean soup
We are just about there. There are just two more things that we need to add. We do this in two stages because I don't want to overcook the beans which were the canned type, so don't need much time to cook. So here are the stages:
- The soup has been simmering for about 15 minutes. Time to add the shredded cabbage. Cover, and simmer for another 10 minutes.
- Now it is time for the beans. In they go, and a gentle stir. A final 10 minutes of cooking and this soup is ready.
The aroma of this Barley and Cannellini bean soup is amazing!
This soup has this sweet comforting aroma, it has me salivating. I am going to plate this baby!
Does that not just look so comforting?
My spoon is ready. Let's have a taste. Mmmmmmm, this is amazing! I taste the cabbage, the mirepoix. The stars truly do shine, the barley is nice and al dente with a lovely nuttiness. It pairs so well with that velvety starchiness and sweetness of the cannellini. Pure luxury in a spoonful!
I can't stop eating this Barley and Cannellini bean soup!
I can feel the chills of cooler temperatures just melting away. Spoon after spoon, flavor upon flavor, I can't stop eating this. It is too good. Want a soup that captures your heart and soul? Then this Barley and Cannellini bean soup is the bowl of goodness you need to try!
Let us know how you like it, send a pic, Dm us, we would love to hear from you!
Enjoy!
Print
Barley and Cannellini bean Soup
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: serves 4 people 1x
Description
Barley and Cannellini Bean Soup, this is love, cozy and comfort in a bowl. Always bring us back to our Italian homes with those harvest fresh flavors, and lovely textures. Fall is in the air, cooler nights are coming. This soup is the perfect thing to wrap your hands around and enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1 stalk celery, finely diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 1 medium purple onion, finely diced
- 1 clove garlic, whole
- 2 tablespoon evo oil
- a pinch of chili flakes
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 sprig rosemary
- a handful cherry tomatoes, quartered
- ½ cup pearled barley
- 5 cups vegetable broth
- about 2 cups shredded Green or Savoy cabbage
- 1 jar (340 ml) white beans (cannellini)
Instructions
- Gather up a medium size cast soup pot or any soup pot you have. Drizzle in the olive oil, toss in the pressed garlic and dried chili flakes.
- Turn heat to a medium setting and when the garlic starts to sizzle add in the carrots, celery, and onions. Sauté for 2 minutes.
- Add in tomatoes, bay leaf, and rosemary, and give it a good stir. Season with salt and pepper and let that cook for about 1 minute.
- Toss in barley and stir to get that barley toasted and flavored with everything in the pot. That will toast for about 2 minutes, then add the vegetable stock. Lower heat to a low to medium setting, so this can simmer for 15 minutes partially covered.
- At this point throw in the shredded cabbage and again give it a good stir. Partially cover, and let that simmer for 10 minutes.
- Time to throw in the cannellini beans. Mix that in gently and partially cover again. Let that simmer for about 5-7 minutes, taste the barley, it should be al dente, meaning a nice bite to it. Taste it for seasoning and adjust as needed. Take out garlic and bay leaf.
- Ready to serve! Enjoy!
Notes
You can use Napa or Savoy cabbage, or any of the green cabbage you can find.
If you use whole barley instead of pearled, make sure to add more cooking time and also more broth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stove top
- Cuisine: Vegan
Keywords: soup, fall recipe, cannellini beans, barley, comfort food, carrots, vegan, vegetarian, cabbage
What a hearty and delicious soup. Meatless and packed with nutrition. The perfect comfort food.
★★★★★
Your so right Gloria, it is a very hearty and healthy soup, however it packs loads of texture and flavor making it a great choice for a meal! Thanks for checking it out!
Cheers!
This is the perfect fall soup! The barley and beans made it so hearty, and it was super simple to prepare. We really loved this one!
★★★★★
Hi Amanda, thank you so much for trying this and enjoying it. That is the essence of Italian cuisine, simple and delicious with plenty of passion to spice it up! Have a great cooking week!
This barley and cannellini bean soup is so hearty and filling. It's perfect for the cooler weather that is starting to roll in now.
★★★★★
That's what I like about the fall season, plenty of comforting dishes to take the chill off! Thanks Lauren!
I love a soup with texture and body. This looks like it will make a great dinner as the weather cools.
★★★★★
Hi Marta, you definitely won't be disappointed, and this soup is just what is needed when the temperatures start to decline. We love the flavors so so delicious. Thank you for looking at this post!
Cheers!
This is a delicious and wholesome soup that will get you through the coldest winters in the most delicious way.
★★★★★
Hi Sharon, you have said it beautifully, well put!
Thank you!
Barley is a grain I don't use very often because I don't know-how. Now that I have a recipe, I'm so excited to give it a try tomorrow when I get home from the market!
★★★★★
Hi Veronika, so excited for you to try Barley. I love the nuttiness and the texture of Barley and in this soup it pairs so well with everything that is going on! Let us know how you make out and if you become a fan of Barley. We have many Barley recipes on the blog!
Happing cooking!
My Italian grandma made bean and barley soup and it always made me feel nourished and loved. I don't think I've ever made it myself - thanks for sharing this delicious recipe!
★★★★★
Hi Karen thank you so much for sharing a memory of your grandma. Those Italian grandmas sure had a way of making us feel special!
Have a beautiful week, and your very welcome!
Your soup was a big hit with my family, thanks for such a delicious recipe
★★★★★
Hi Chef Dennis, we are so grateful that you tried this and shared it with your family. It is such a warm, delicious dish and we are happy your family loved it!
Have a great foodie week!
I LOVE barley! What a delicious and comforting soup for the season...such a wholesome meal for the end of a long day.
★★★★★
Hi Tammy that is super fantastic that you love barley, it is such a great grain packed with flavor and such comforting texture. Thanks for checking it out!
Healthy, delicious and so easy to make. Does a soup recipe get any easier than this?!
Hi Elaine, In Italian tradition there are plenty of these simple recipes that pack so much flavor and comfort. I don't think you can ask for anything better than that!
Happy cooking!