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a bowl of creamy potato soup with barley and bacon
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5 from 4 votes

Creamy Potato Barley Soup

Potato Barley Soup is a hearty variation of classic potato soup made with barley, leeks, and nutrient-rich veggies. Rich and creamy, the soup comes together from scratch in a pinch and is perfect for winter weeknights.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: dinner, lunch
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Keyword: barley soup, potato barley soup, potato soup
Servings: 4
Calories: 411kcal
Author: Erin

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add the barley and water to a large saucepan; bring to a boil, then cover and simmer until the barley is cooked.
  • Add the bacon to a heavy-bottomed pot, like a dutch oven, and cook it; remove it with a slotted spoon and reserve the bacon grease.
  • Add the butter to the same pot. Once it's melted, add the onion, carrot, leeks, and parsley and sauté for 5 minutes or until soft.
  • Next, add the chopped potatoes, chicken broth and salt and bring the soup to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pot and cook the soup for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes can easily be pierced with a fork.
  • Pour in the half and half and milk and stir. Then, scoop HALF of the soup into a high powder blender and blend until smooth. Pour back into the pot, then add the cooked barley and bacon back in. Season with salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!

Notes

*Calories are per serving and are an estimation
*Storage: store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days 
*Milk: Feel free to use whatever milk you have on hand (I used almond milk); Can sub heavy cream instead of half and half if you want the soup to be extra creamy; Can omit the bacon to keep this vegetarian if you prefer 

Nutrition

Calories: 411kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 1532mg | Potassium: 1277mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 6100IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 145mg | Iron: 4mg