Ingredients to Make Slow Cooker Southwestern Bean and Barley Soup
This is a delicious and versatile soup. You can use one or two kinds of beans, instead of three; I used light red and black beans in the photographs above. (It thickens up; pictures above are leftovers.) I usually use chicken bouillon in it, rather than broth. When I use lower sodium chicken bouillon, the soup needs the salt added at the end. You can garnish with whatever you would like - lime and cilantro, tortilla chips, radishes, shredded cheese. But honestly, I preferred it earthy, without any kind of garnishes. Some reviews on Eating Well said that this wasn't a very flavorful soup. I disagree. It's hearty and earthy, and not spicy; it's not supposed to be bright. However, I think you could double any of the spices if you'd like. You can also add a can or two of diced or crushed tomatoes if you think it needs something. You may also be interested in Slow Cooker Chicken Chili, Black Bean Soup, or Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup, which can also be made vegetarian. Like this recipe? Rate it and leave a comment below!📖 Recipe
Slow Cooker Southwestern Bean and Barley Soup
This delicious and healthy soup is versatile; it can be made as spicy or not spicy as you want. You can cook it in a slow cooker or on the stove.
Servings: 5
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (stove-top version only)
- 1 onion (diced)
- 1 stalk celery (diced)
- 1-3 carrots (diced) (I prefer a lot of carrots in this)
- 2 cups water (use 9 cups if cooking it on the stove)
- 4 cups regular or low sodium chicken or vegetable broth (can use bouillon and water as well) (regular broth may be salty; add salt to taste)
- ½ cup pearl barley
- ⅓ cup dried black beans
- ⅓ cup dried northern or navy beans
- ⅓ cup dried red beans
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ¾ teaspoon table salt (to taste)
- 1-2 15-ounce cans diced or crushed tomatoes (optional; I never use these)
- lime radishes, cilantro (for topping) (optional; I prefer it without these)
Instructions
Slow Cooker Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except for olive oil and salt in a 6-quart slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-7 hours. Add salt to taste.
Stove-top Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot. Saute onion, celery, and carrot until onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add water, broth, barley, beans, chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until beans are cooked, 1 ¾-2 ½ hours; stir occasionally. Add water if necessary. Add salt to taste.
Notes
I prefer this soup as it is. It's dark and rich and earthy, and not very spicy. It thickens up the next day.
Some of the reviews on Eating Well have complained that they would like it zestier. Feel free to double the spices or add tomatoes. You could also add peppers (hot or bell).
I used a 6-quart slow cooker to make this. I think it should fit into a 4-quart one. To make a larger quantity of soup, a double batch might fit in a 6-quart slow cooker; making 50% more would be a safer bet.
Adapted from Eating Well
Jenn says
I made this in the slow cooker today and topped it with cilantro and avocado. It was delicious (though I liked my second helping better without the avocado and cilantro). I debated on adding tomatoes and ended up skipping them because I didn't think they'd fit in the pot (I did double the recipe). The kids all liked it too!
Leona Konkel says
I'm glad you liked it! I'm with you; I prefer it without the toppings, too!