Sausage Barley Hearty Soup (Printer-Friendly)

A hearty blend of barley, smoked sausage, bacon, potatoes, and vegetables for a satisfying meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Dairy & Fats

01 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, chopped
03 - 2 cups potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
04 - 1 cup celery, chopped
05 - 1 cup carrots, chopped or grated
06 - 1 leek, cleaned and chopped
07 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

→ Grains

08 - 1 cup pearl barley, uncooked

→ Proteins

09 - 4 slices bacon
10 - 7 ounces smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced

→ Liquids & Broth

11 - 3 tablespoons beef bouillon paste
12 - 8 cups water

→ Herbs & Spices

13 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 2 teaspoons sea salt
15 - 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Steps to Follow:

01 - In a skillet over medium heat, cook and crumble 4 slices of bacon until crispy. Drain and set aside.
02 - Dissolve 3 tablespoons of beef bouillon paste in 2 cups of hot water, stirring until fully combined.
03 - In a 6-quart stockpot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent.
04 - Add 1 cup of pearl barley to the pot and stir continuously until lightly browned, approximately 5 minutes.
05 - Pour in the prepared beef broth and the remaining 6 cups of water. Stir thoroughly to combine.
06 - Incorporate the diced potatoes, chopped celery, carrots, leek, dried oregano, sliced smoked sausage, and cooked bacon into the pot. Stir well to distribute evenly.
07 - Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook for 30 minutes or until barley and vegetables are tender.
08 - Season the soup with 2 teaspoons of sea salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper. Serve hot, garnished with 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley.

# Helpful Hints:

01 - Using pearl barley adds a chewy texture and nutty flavor that complements the smoky sausage and bacon.