Hearty 17-Bean Barley Soup with Roasted Tomatoes
Warm up your kitchen with this nutrient-packed, hearty 17-Bean Barley Soup featuring roasted tomatoes. This recipe is a beloved copycat of Trader Joe's packaged mix, enhanced with a medley of beans and legumes of your choice, including options for the adventurous cook to substitute and tweak according to pantry supplies. The soup is developed to be both flavorful and nourishing, combining the earthy tones of various beans with the subtle sweetness of roasted tomatoes. Not only is this soup a wonderful meal on its own, but it's also an excellent hostess gift for any gathering. Plus, for those looking for a meatier dish, there’s room to add leftover proteins like sausage or chicken. Whether you make it on the stove or opt for a slow cooker method on a cozy weekend, this soup is sure to become a family favorite.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
29
Ingredients
Ingredients
baby lima beans
3 heaping tablespoons (dried)
black turtle beans
3 heaping tablespoons (dried)
black-eyed peas
3 heaping tablespoons (dried)
dark red kidney beans
3 heaping tablespoons (dried)
garbanzo beans
3 heaping tablespoons (dried)
great northern beans
3 heaping tablespoons (dried)
green lentils
3 heaping tablespoons (dried)
split peas
3 heaping tablespoons (dried)
large lima beans
3 heaping tablespoons (dried)
light red kidney beans
3 heaping tablespoons (dried)
navy beans
3 heaping tablespoons (dried)
pink beans
3 heaping tablespoons (dried)
pinto beans
3 heaping tablespoons (dried)
red lentils
3 heaping tablespoons (dried)
small red beans
3 heaping tablespoons (dried)
small white beans
3 heaping tablespoons (dried)
yellow split peas
3 heaping tablespoons (dried)
pearl barley
3 heaping tablespoons (dried)
vegetable or chicken broth
64 ounces (8 cups) (liquid)
onion
1 cup (diced)
celery
1 cup (diced, including leaves for flavor)
carrot
1 cup (sliced)
bell pepper
1 cup (diced (red preferred))
garlic
1 clove (minced)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (for sautéing)
bay leaf
1 (whole)
salt-free Italian herb seasoning
1 teaspoon (dry)
roasted tomato puree
15 ounces (diced or puréed)
salt and pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
In a large bowl, combine about 3 heaping tablespoons each of the assorted beans and legumes you have chosen. Mix them thoroughly and store in an airtight container for future use.
2
To prepare the beans for cooking, use the quick soak method. Cover the dried bean mixture with three times their volume of cold water in a large stock pot. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer uncovered for 2 minutes.
3
Remove the pot from heat and let the beans soak for 1 hour. After soaking, drain the beans and return them to the pot.
4
Alternatively, you can use the overnight soak method: simply cover the beans with water and let them soak overnight. Drain and rinse them the following morning, then continue with the soup preparation.
5
For the soup, pour 4 cups of vegetable or chicken broth into the pot with the soaked beans.
6
In a separate sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat, then add the diced onion, celery, carrot, bell pepper, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the vegetables are soft and fragrant.
7
Add the sautéed vegetable mixture along with the roasted tomato puree (or fire-roasted canned tomatoes) to the pot of beans. Pour in the remaining broth and stir to combine.
8
Add the bay leaf and bring the soup to a gentle simmer. Cover and let it cook for approximately 1 hour, or until the beans reach your desired tenderness.
9
Periodically check the broth level, adding more as needed to prevent the soup from drying out. Adjust the thickness of the soup according to your preference.
10
Once the soup has cooked, season with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, for a tangy finish, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce.
11
Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy your heartwarming soup!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty 17-Bean Barley Soup?
It is a nutrient-packed, flavorful soup featuring roasted tomatoes, a medley of seventeen types of beans and legumes, and pearl barley.
Is this recipe based on a specific brand?
Yes, this recipe is a copycat of the popular Trader Joe's packaged 17-bean soup mix.
Which beans are included in the 17-bean mix?
The mix includes baby lima, black turtle, black-eyed peas, dark and light red kidney, garbanzo, great northern, navy, pink, pinto, small red, and small white beans, along with green and red lentils, and split peas.
Does the soup contain barley?
Yes, the recipe uses 3 heaping tablespoons of dried pearl barley.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
It can be prepared as a vegetarian or vegan dish if you use vegetable broth.
How do I prepare the dried beans for cooking?
You can use either a quick soak method or an overnight soak method to prepare the dried beans.
What is the quick soak method?
Cover the beans with water, bring to a boil for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and let soak for one hour before draining.
What is the overnight soak method?
Cover the beans with water and let them sit overnight, then drain and rinse them the following morning.
Can I add meat to this bean soup?
Yes, you can add leftover proteins like sausage or chicken if you prefer a meatier dish.
What type of broth should I use?
The recipe calls for 64 ounces of either vegetable or chicken broth.
What vegetables are in the soup base?
The base consists of diced onion, celery (including leaves), carrots, and bell pepper.
What type of tomatoes are best for this recipe?
Roasted tomato puree is recommended, but fire-roasted canned tomatoes also work well.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
Once all ingredients are combined, the soup should simmer for approximately one hour or until the beans are tender.
Can I cook this in a slow cooker?
Yes, this soup is well-suited for a slow cooker method, especially for a cozy weekend meal.
How do I prevent the soup from drying out?
Periodically check the broth level while simmering and add more liquid as needed to reach your desired consistency.
Can I give this soup as a gift?
Yes, the dry bean and barley mixture makes an excellent hostess gift when stored in an airtight container.
What seasonings are used?
The soup is seasoned with salt-free Italian herb seasoning, a bay leaf, garlic, salt, and pepper.
Is there a secret ingredient for a tangy finish?
Adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce at the end provides a nice tangy finish.
What is the recommended garnish?
Fresh parsley is a great choice for garnishing the soup before serving.
How much oil is needed for sautéing?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of olive oil to sauté the aromatic vegetables.
What color bell pepper is preferred?
Red bell pepper is preferred for this recipe to add color and sweetness.
Do I need to include the celery leaves?
Yes, including the leaves with the diced celery adds extra flavor to the broth.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe calls for one clove of minced garlic.
Can I use different beans than the ones listed?
Yes, the recipe allows the adventurous cook to substitute and tweak the bean selection according to pantry supplies.
Is the Italian seasoning salted?
The recipe specifies using a salt-free Italian herb seasoning.
How many beans are in each serving of the dry mix?
The dry mix is created by combining about 3 heaping tablespoons of each of the 17 types of beans and barley.
What is the texture of the soup?
The soup is hearty and thick, though you can adjust the broth to make it thinner if desired.
Should the bay leaf be removed?
While not explicitly in the instructions, it is standard practice to remove the whole bay leaf before serving.
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Yes, it is tagged for meal prep and makes a large batch that can be enjoyed throughout the week.
How do I store the dry bean mix?
Combine the assorted dried beans and barley in a large bowl, mix thoroughly, and store in an airtight container.