- Difficulty: Easy
- Servings: 4 to 6
- Nutritional Facts (per serving, based on 6 servings): Calories 417, Total Fat 12 g, Saturated Fat 3 g, Carbohydrates 59 g, Dietary Fiber 12 g, Sugars 13 g, Protein 21 g, Cholesterol 27 mg, Sodium 1554 mg
- Total time: 55 minutes
- Active preparation time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 turkey sausage links, sweet or spicy, casings removed
- 1 cup pearled barley
- 8 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch thick rounds
- 2 medium parsnips, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 2 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced 1/2-inch thick
- 1 fennel bulb, sliced thinly
- 1 medium leek, sliced thin
- One 12-ounce bunch of Swiss or Rainbow chard, ribs removed and leaves chopped into 1-inch pieces
- Optional: 1 Parmesan cheese rind
- 1 dried bay leaf
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped chives
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a 5-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Add the barley to the pan and stir constantly until lightly toasted, about 4 minutes. Pour in the broth, along with carrots, parsnips, zucchini, fennel, leeks, chard, Parmesan rind (if using), bay leaf, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook uncovered until barley is tender, about 35 minutes.
- Discard the Parmesan rind and bay leaf. Stir in the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to perfect the seasoning.
- Ladle the hearty, vegetable-packed soup into bowls. Crown each serving with the reserved sausage and a sprinkle of fresh chives for a burst of flavor and color.
Whip up this nourishing Turkey Sausage and Barley Soup tonightits vibrant medley of root veggies, greens, and toasty barley simmers into pure comfort. Ready in under an hour, it's your easy ticket to wholesome, crowd-pleasing dinners that warm the soul!
