Wild Mushroom Barley Soup

Featured in: Simple One-Pot Hollow Comforts

This hearty bowl brings together wild mushrooms, pearl barley, and a mix of aromatic vegetables simmered gently in a single pot. The mushrooms add deep earthiness, while barley offers a tender, chewy texture. Infused with fresh thyme and black pepper, every spoonful delivers warming flavors ideal for cozy evenings. The method begins with soaking dried porcini, sautéing vegetables, and slow simmering until rich and satisfying. Garnished with fresh parsley, it's perfect served with rustic bread for a comforting experience.

Updated on Sat, 06 Dec 2025 09:23:00 GMT
Steaming bowl of Wild Mushroom and Barley Soup, garnished with parsley, ready to be enjoyed. Save to Pinterest
Steaming bowl of Wild Mushroom and Barley Soup, garnished with parsley, ready to be enjoyed. | basilhollow.com

A rustic and hearty soup blending wild mushrooms, tender barley, and aromatic vegetables in a single pot&mdashperfect for cozy evenings and nourishing, light meals.

This recipe quickly became a favorite for chilly nights when I crave something warm and wholesome without hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

  • Vegetables: 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 large yellow onion finely chopped, 2 medium carrots diced, 2 celery stalks diced, 3 garlic cloves minced
  • Mushrooms: 400 g (14 oz) mixed wild mushrooms such as cremini shiitake oyster cleaned and sliced, 25 g (1 oz) dried porcini mushrooms rinsed
  • Grains: 120 g (2/3 cup) pearl barley rinsed
  • Liquids: 1.5 liters (6 cups) vegetable broth, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 bay leaf
  • Herbs & Seasoning: 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried), 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, Salt to taste, 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped for garnish

Instructions

Step 1:
Place the dried porcini mushrooms in a heatproof bowl and cover with 250 ml (1 cup) boiling water Let soak for 10 minutes Remove mushrooms chop them and reserve the soaking liquid straining out any grit
Step 2:
In a large pot heat olive oil over medium heat Add onion carrots and celery Sauté for 56 minutes until softened
Step 3:
Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant
Step 4:
Add all mushrooms fresh and rehydrated porcini and cook for 57 minutes stirring occasionally until mushrooms begin to brown and release their juices
Step 5:
Stir in barley then pour in vegetable broth reserved porcini soaking liquid soy sauce bay leaf thyme and black pepper Mix well
Step 6:
Bring to a boil reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 3540 minutes stirring occasionally until barley is tender and soup has slightly thickened
Step 7:
Remove bay leaf Taste and season with salt as needed
Step 8:
Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley Serve hot with rustic bread if desired
A close-up of a hearty, bubbling one-pot Wild Mushroom and Barley Soup, perfect for a cold evening. Save to Pinterest
A close-up of a hearty, bubbling one-pot Wild Mushroom and Barley Soup, perfect for a cold evening. | basilhollow.com

This soup always brings my family together around the table especially on cold evenings when comfort food matters most.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: 235 calories, 6 g total fat, 39 g carbohydrates, 7 g protein.

Required Tools

Large soup pot, wooden spoon, chefs knife, cutting board, heatproof bowl, fine sieve for straining porcini liquid.

Allergen Information

Contains gluten and soy Vegetarian and dairy-free For gluten-free use tamari and substitute barley with gluten-free grain Always check product labels for cross-contamination or hidden allergens.

Rustic serving of Wild Mushroom and Barley Soup; a warm and comforting vegetarian delight. Save to Pinterest
Rustic serving of Wild Mushroom and Barley Soup; a warm and comforting vegetarian delight. | basilhollow.com

Enjoy this warming soup as a fulfilling meal or a delightful starter that elevates any dinner table.

Wild Mushroom Barley Soup

Savory wild mushrooms and pearl barley combine with vegetables for a warm, comforting bowl.

Prep Time
15 minutes
Time to Cook
45 minutes
Overall Time
60 minutes
Recipe by Charlotte Adams


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type Rustic European

Makes 4 Number of Servings

Diet Considerations Vegetarian-Friendly, No Dairy

What You'll Need

Vegetables

01 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
03 2 medium carrots, diced
04 2 celery stalks, diced
05 3 garlic cloves, minced

Mushrooms

01 14 oz mixed wild mushrooms (cremini, shiitake, oyster), cleaned and sliced
02 1 oz dried porcini mushrooms, rinsed

Grains

01 2/3 cup pearl barley, rinsed

Liquids

01 6 cups vegetable broth
02 1 tablespoon soy sauce
03 1 bay leaf

Herbs & Seasoning

01 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
02 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
03 Salt, to taste
04 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

Step 01

Soak Porcini Mushrooms: Place dried porcini mushrooms in a heatproof bowl and cover with 1 cup boiling water. Let soak for 10 minutes. Remove mushrooms, chop finely, and reserve soaking liquid through a fine sieve to remove grit.

Step 02

Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until softened.

Step 03

Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 04

Cook Mushrooms: Add fresh wild mushrooms and chopped porcini. Cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms brown and release juices.

Step 05

Combine Grains and Liquids: Stir in pearl barley. Add vegetable broth, reserved porcini liquid, soy sauce, bay leaf, thyme, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly.

Step 06

Simmer Soup: Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until barley is tender and soup thickens slightly.

Step 07

Finish and Serve: Remove bay leaf. Adjust seasoning with salt. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot.

Equipment Needed

  • Large soup pot
  • Wooden spoon
  • Chef’s knife
  • Cutting board
  • Heatproof bowl
  • Fine sieve

Allergy Notice

Review the ingredient list for possible allergy risks. If needed, check with a medical expert.
  • Contains gluten (barley, soy sauce) and soy.

Nutrition Details (per serving)

This data is for reference—always check with your doctor for health matters.
  • Calorie Count: 235
  • Total Fat: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 39 g
  • Proteins: 7 g