Sausage Barley Hearty Soup (Printer-Friendly)

Smoky sausage mingles with barley and fresh vegetables for a warm, satisfying bowl.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dairy & Fats

01 - 2 tablespoons butter

→ Vegetables

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

→ Grains & Legumes

08 - 1 cup pearl barley, uncooked

→ Meats

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

→ Liquids & Broth

11 - 3 tablespoons beef bouillon
12 - 8 cups water

→ Herbs & Spices

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

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Cook and crumble 4 slices of bacon until crispy. Set aside.
02 - Dissolve 3 tablespoons of beef bouillon in 2 cups of hot water.
03 - In a 6-quart stockpot over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter and stir in 1 medium chopped onion. Cook until translucent, stirring frequently.
04 - Add 1 cup uncooked pearl barley to the pot and stir continuously for about 5 minutes until lightly browned.
05 - Pour in the prepared beef broth and the remaining 6 cups of water. Stir to combine.
06 - Add 2 cups cubed potatoes, 1 cup chopped celery, 1 cup chopped or grated carrots, 1 chopped leek, 1 teaspoon oregano, 7 ounces sliced smoked sausage, and the cooked bacon. Stir well.
07 - Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook for approximately 30 minutes until barley and vegetables are tender.
08 - Season with 2 teaspoons sea salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Ladle into bowls and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped parsley.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - Use a stockpot large enough to accommodate the volume to prevent overflow during simmering.