Barley Turkey Soup
This hearty barley turkey soup is a comforting meal, combining tender pearl barley, diced vegetables, and savory cooked turkey in a seasoned chicken broth. It's a nourishing dish that’s simple to prepare, perfect for a warming lunch or dinner.
Equipment
- 1 Large stockpot or Dutch oven Essential for simmering soup ingredients efficiently.
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Chef's knife For dicing vegetables with precision.
- 1 Measuring Cups and Spoons
- 1 Ladle For serving the soup.
Ingredients
Main
- 2 quarts chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups diced celery
- 1 cup medium pearl barley
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3/4 cup diced carrots
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- dash cayenne pepper
- 2 cups cubed cooked turkey
- 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
Instructions
- Dice the celery, onion, and carrots into uniform pieces.
- In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, combine the chicken broth, diced celery, medium pearl barley, diced onion, diced carrots, salt, dried thyme, bay leaf, ground allspice, pepper, and a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the barley and vegetables are tender.
- Carefully remove and discard the bay leaf from the soup.
- Stir in the cubed cooked turkey into the pot.
- Continue to simmer gently for another 5-10 minutes, allowing the turkey to heat through completely.
- Stir in the minced fresh parsley just before serving.
- Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or pepper to your preference.
- Serve the hot barley turkey soup into bowls and enjoy.
Notes
To elevate this soup, consider lightly toasting the pearl barley in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes before adding it to the pot; this brings out a nuttier, deeper flavor. For a richer base, lightly sauté the diced onions, celery, and carrots in a tablespoon of olive oil or butter until slightly softened before adding the broth and other ingredients. Ensure your chicken broth is good quality, or use homemade for superior flavor depth. Add the cooked turkey only towards the end of simmering, just long enough to heat through, to prevent it from becoming dry or stringy. Adjust the cayenne pepper to your preferred level of warmth. Freshly minced parsley added right before serving brightens the soup significantly.