Southwestern Hearty Bean and Barley Delight
Warm up with a bowl of this flavorful Southwestern Hearty Bean and Barley Delight! Packed with three types of beans, tender barley, and fresh vegetables, this nourishing soup is perfect for a cozy dinner or gathering. Infused with spices like chili powder and cumin, each spoonful delivers a zesty kick that complements the earthiness of the beans. Share this delicious recipe with friends and family, and enjoy the heartiness of a meal that’s as nutritious as it is comforting.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
chicken broth or vegetable broth
4 cups (Choose either chicken or vegetable broth as desired.)
water
2 cups (Plain, room temperature.)
onion
1 large, diced (Diced finely for even cooking.)
celery
1 large stalk, diced (Chopped into small pieces.)
carrot
1 large, diced (Chopped into small cubes.)
pearl barley
1/2 cup (Rinsed under cold water.)
dried black beans
1/3 cup (Rinsed and sorted to remove any debris.)
dried great northern beans
1/3 cup (Rinsed and sorted.)
dried kidney beans
1/3 cup (Rinsed and sorted.)
extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon (Used for sautéing.)
chili powder
1 tablespoon (Ground spice.)
ground cumin
1 teaspoon (Ground spice.)
dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon (Dried herb.)
salt
3/4 teaspoon (Add to taste.)
Instructions
1
In a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, combine the chicken or vegetable broth and water.
2
Add the diced onion, celery, and carrot. Stir to combine.
3
In a separate bowl, combine the pearl barley, black beans, great northern beans, and kidney beans. Rinse the beans thoroughly before adding to the slow cooker.
4
Stir in the extra virgin olive oil, chili powder, ground cumin, and oregano into the mixture.
5
Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set to cook on HIGH for about 4 hours or on LOW for 7-8 hours, until the beans are tender.
6
Once cooking is complete, taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
7
Serve warm, ideally alongside toasted sourdough bread topped with melted pepper jack cheese for an extra treat.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Southwestern Hearty Bean and Barley Delight?
It is a nutritious and flavorful soup featuring three types of beans, tender pearl barley, and fresh vegetables seasoned with Southwestern spices.
What types of beans are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for a combination of dried black beans, dried great northern beans, and dried kidney beans.
How long does this soup take to cook in a slow cooker?
You can cook the soup on HIGH for approximately 4 hours or on LOW for 7-8 hours until the beans are tender.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, simply use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to make the recipe fully vegetarian.
What spices provide the Southwestern flavor?
The Southwestern kick comes from a blend of chili powder, ground cumin, and dried oregano.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What kind of barley should I use?
The recipe specifies using 1/2 cup of pearl barley, rinsed under cold water.
What is the recommended serving suggestion?
It is best served warm with toasted sourdough bread topped with melted pepper jack cheese.
Do the dried beans need to be rinsed?
Yes, you should rinse and sort the black beans, great northern beans, and kidney beans thoroughly before adding them to the slow cooker.
What vegetables are included in the soup?
The vegetable base consists of diced onion, a large stalk of celery, and a large carrot.
How much liquid is needed for this recipe?
You will need a total of 6 cups of liquid: 4 cups of broth (chicken or vegetable) and 2 cups of water.
Is there any oil in this soup?
Yes, the recipe includes 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.
What size slow cooker is recommended?
A 5- to 6-quart slow cooker is the ideal size for this recipe.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
No, pearl barley contains gluten, so this recipe is not gluten-free.
How much chili powder is used?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of chili powder.
How should the onion be prepared?
One large onion should be diced finely to ensure even cooking throughout the soup.
What is the amount of ground cumin required?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of ground cumin.
Should I add salt at the beginning of cooking?
The instructions recommend tasting and seasoning with salt and pepper once the cooking is complete.
How much dried oregano is in the recipe?
The recipe includes 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano.
How are the carrots prepared?
The carrot should be chopped into small cubes or diced.
Is the celery diced or sliced?
The recipe recommends dicing one large stalk of celery into small pieces.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 14 ingredients in this Southwestern Hearty Bean and Barley Delight.
Is this soup considered healthy?
Yes, it is described as a nutritious meal packed with fiber-rich beans and fresh vegetables.
Can I use room temperature water?
Yes, the recipe specifies using plain, room temperature water.
What should I do if the beans are not tender after 4 hours on high?
Cook times can vary; continue cooking until the beans reach your desired level of tenderness.
Does the barley need to be soaked?
No soaking is required, but it should be rinsed under cold water before use.
What kind of cheese is suggested for the side bread?
Pepper jack cheese is suggested for its spicy flavor that complements the Southwestern theme.
Is there a specific amount of salt suggested?
The recipe lists 3/4 teaspoon of salt, though you can adjust this to your taste.
How much pearl barley is added?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of pearl barley.
Is this recipe suitable for a cozy dinner?
Yes, it is described as a comforting and hearty meal perfect for cozy dinners or gatherings.