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    Hummusapien » Recipes » Soups » Crockpot Mushroom, Barley, & Lentil Soup

    ★★★★★ from 9 reviews

    Crockpot Mushroom, Barley, & Lentil Soup

    Published Feb 2, 2015 · Modified Nov 8, 2021 · by Alexis Joseph · 53 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Sometime you think things will be easy peasy pumpkin squeezy and they're just not.

    Crockpot Mushroom, Barley, & Lentil Soup

    Like understanding football.

    And putting air in your tires.

    And returning a computer charger you bought on eBay.

    And not burning garlic.

    Crockpot Mushroom, Barley, & Lentil Soup

    I may not have know who was playing in the Super Bowl or what the hell to do when I have low tire pressure, but I do know how to make an easy dinner.

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there nothing worse than thinking a recipe will be easy only to find that it takes you half the afternoon to make? Prep time seven minutes...more like seven HOURS.

    Crockpot Mushroom, Barley, & Lentil Soup

    The only thing worse than difficult recipes that appear to be quick and easy are tasty-looking recipes that taste like dirty socks. I hereby solemnly swear that this crockpot soup is not only incredibly simple to make, but it also tastes like a big bowl of comforting deliciousness. Simply chop your veggies, measure out your broth and grains, and cook her up in the crockpot! Consider dinner done.

    IMG_1580a

    I added some little lentils for a protein boost, but you could get away with leaving them out if you're not a legume lover.

    So if you don't know what first down means and that little low tire pressure signal makes you want to curl up in a ball and cry, have no fear. Life will go on. Just swan-dive into this soup and I promise everything else will fall into place.

    Print
    clockclock iconcutlerycutlery iconflagflag iconfolderfolder iconinstagraminstagram iconpinterestpinterest iconfacebookfacebook iconprintprint iconsquaressquares iconheartheart iconheart solidheart solid icon

    Crockpot Mushroom, Barley, & Lentil Soup

    ★★★★★ 4.2 from 9 reviews
    • Author: Alexis Joseph, MS, RD, LD
    • Prep Time: 15 mins
    • Cook Time: 3 hours
    • Total Time: 3 hours 15 mins
    • Yield: 6 1x
    • Category: Soup
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 6 cups vegetable broth
    • 1 cup water
    • 3 large carrots, chopped
    • 2 stalks celery, chopped
    • 1 medium onion, diced
    • 4 cloves garlic, minced
    • ¾ cup pearled barley
    • ¼ cup brown or green lentils
    • 16 oz button mushrooms, chopped
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 1 tsp thyme
    • 1 ¼ tsp salt (or to taste)
    • Freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions

    1. Place all ingredients in a crockpot. Cook on high for about 3 hours, or until grains are cooked through and vegetables are tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @hummusapien on Instagram. I love sharing what you make!

     

    About Alexis Joseph

    Oh HEY there! I'm Alexis Joseph, food writer, blogger, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), new mama, and co-founder of local restaurant group, Alchemy. I use my passion for cooking and wellness as fuel to help others ignite a more freeing and happy relationship with food. Learn more about Alexis!

    5 Secrets to Delish, Healthy Lunches

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. SA says

      November 11, 2021 at 6:16 pm

      How might one make this in an instant pot? Would it require many ingredient adjustments?

      Reply
    2. Mary says

      October 01, 2021 at 2:55 pm

      Hi, Alexis! This looks great. Do you know how long I would cook it on low?

      Reply
    3. Diana says

      January 27, 2021 at 3:17 am

      Not a favorite - the flavor was kind of overpowering, and not in a good way.

      ★

      Reply
    4. Kim says

      September 28, 2020 at 4:24 pm

      I made this soup with modifications. Did not use a bay leaf and very little thyme. I like carrots but did like them in the soup. Next time I will leave the carrots out and add spinach. Thank you for the great recipe!

      ★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        September 28, 2020 at 4:52 pm

        Awesome, so glad you liked it! Let me know what I can do to make it a 5-star recipe 🙂

        Reply
        • Kim says

          September 29, 2020 at 11:54 am

          With my modifications I'd give it a 5 star!

          Reply
    5. Cecilia L. says

      December 10, 2019 at 7:42 pm

      This was super easy and super delicious. Everyone raved about it. Didn't miss meat at all. Thanks for the recipe. I loved the blog post and I always cringe when that tire pressure light comes on.

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        December 10, 2019 at 10:11 pm

        Awesome! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for taking the time to let me know, Cecilia!

        Reply
    6. Alison Chapple says

      November 04, 2019 at 10:25 pm

      Delicious! I made the mistake of not chopping the carrots small enough and opening the Crock-Pot to stir it during the 3 hours. I ended up having to cook it double the time but it turned out wonderful. I'm freezing some of it.

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        December 20, 2019 at 12:32 pm

        Hooray!! So glad you loved this one.

        Reply
    7. Terri S Greenwald says

      October 09, 2019 at 12:25 pm

      About to make it for the third time. I am WISELY bringing the whole thing dry in the crockpot to my MIL's house, will add broth there, plug it in and tell her not to touch it until dinner. Always a hit , since her idea of a vegetarian choice (for my SIL and other guests) is just to have bagels and cream cheese.....

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        October 09, 2019 at 10:06 pm

        Hahahaha sounds like you've got dinner on lock down! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Terri Greenwald says

      October 07, 2018 at 7:56 am

      This was delicious and super easy. I've been eating mushroom barley my entire life but assumed it was hard. My crockpot was in use, so I used Dutch oven. Put all veggies on first, let them roast a bit then just cooked all for few hours. I used portobellos cause I had them.... I'd make it again in a heartbeat!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        October 10, 2018 at 4:20 pm

        I’m so glad! I need to go make another batch!

        Reply
    9. David says

      September 18, 2017 at 3:40 pm

      I made this and just added chopped potatoes, Tomato Sauce and Corn.
      It was delicious!

      ★★★★

      Reply
    10. Dani says

      January 10, 2017 at 2:35 pm

      I made this as is, without the celery (omitted: cooked celery rant). It cooked exactly as you said it would...3 hours, smelled amazing, great thickness/consistency. I've already shared the recipe with a slow cooker FB group I'm in. A big hit and I know I'll be revisiting this one soon and often!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        January 11, 2017 at 8:56 am

        Amazing! So glad it was a hit, even with the cooked celery omitted 😉

        Reply
    11. Alexis says

      January 08, 2017 at 6:09 pm

      I love hearing this! Thanks so much for trying and keep cooking' 🙂

      Reply
    12. Holly says

      September 29, 2016 at 4:54 pm

      Can I use red lentils? I happen to have them, not sure the difference in the colors

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        September 30, 2016 at 12:51 pm

        The red lentils cook much faster so the consistency may be quite mushy!

        Reply
    13. Suzanne says

      April 27, 2016 at 8:05 am

      Hi! I recently went through my pantry and pulled out all the cans that needed to be used up asap. Among them were cans of mushrooms and cream of mushroom soup. I'll tell you how I made this great soup with two adjustments. I've been eating it all week - made a lot. I followed the recipe but used 2 small cans of sliced mushrooms, one can of cream of mushroom soup and arborio rice in place of the barley I did not have. Combine all in crockpot and cook 4 hours. It's wonderful!! Thanks for the recipe :))

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        April 28, 2016 at 6:01 pm

        What fabulous substitutions! Thanks for letting me know 🙂

        Reply
    14. Tony says

      November 10, 2015 at 11:04 pm

      Would you happen to know the calorie count per cup?

      Thanks and looks delicious! Can't wait to make it.

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        January 17, 2016 at 10:10 pm

        I got 110 cal per serving using Calorie Count (caloriecount.com)

        Reply
      • Lisa says

        January 17, 2016 at 10:11 pm

        I got 110 cal per serving using Calorie Count (caloriecount.com)

        ★★★★★

        Reply
      • Claire says

        January 27, 2016 at 1:02 pm

        This turned out okay, but it seemed like it was missing something. My boyfriend added just a hint of chipotle sauce, and it turned into PERFECTION. I think any source of tanginess (which is what I think the chipotle sauce added) would make this great. Love the wholesome consistency!

        ★★★★

        Reply
    15. vivian says

      October 23, 2015 at 10:11 pm

      Made this for my daughter who needed a healthy and hearty meal to take for night shift tonight. It was so easy to put together and really delicious. Thanks for a wonderful recipe.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    16. Neeti says

      August 27, 2015 at 4:14 pm

      I LOVE how you wrote this! 🙂 Going to try this right now!

      Reply
    17. Angie Dye says

      March 23, 2015 at 8:57 pm

      Just wanted to say that my family & I really enjoyed this soup for meatless monday tonight. I did not get my act together to get it in the crockpot, but it translated quite seamlessly to stovetop and was ready in under 45 minutes. I just sautéed the onion, celery and garlic in a little olive oil, added the rest of the ingredients, brought to a boil, then reduced to a low simmer. It only took about 30 minutes for the barley, lentils and all veggies to be tender. So yummy and satisfying! Will definitely make again!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        March 23, 2015 at 9:45 pm

        Amazing! I'm so happy to hear that it worked well without a crockpot!

        Reply
      • Judy says

        October 21, 2020 at 10:31 pm

        I appreciate your version of the recipe...I’m making it your way today.
        Thanks!

        Reply
    18. Dana says

      February 04, 2015 at 10:27 pm

      Made this tonight-- it turned out great! And was so simple!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        February 05, 2015 at 9:49 pm

        Awesome!!

        Reply
    19. Melissa @ Mango About Town says

      February 04, 2015 at 8:55 pm

      This is in my slowcooker as we speak. Looking forward to some barley goodness for lunch tomorrow!!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        February 05, 2015 at 9:49 pm

        Fabulous! I hope you liked it 🙂

        Reply
    20. Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says

      February 03, 2015 at 12:10 pm

      YIKES! What in the world did you try to make that tasted like socks? Do tell so I don't go down that road haha. This looks amazing though . I absolutely love all thing barley, mushroom, and lentil so this soup is a dream for me! Pinning now!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        February 03, 2015 at 9:52 pm

        Thanks my dear! It's all a match made in heaven.

        Reply
    21. Arman @ thebigmansworld says

      February 03, 2015 at 3:29 am

      Let's watch the super bowl next year and faceplant this. GORGEOUS pictures buddy.

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        February 03, 2015 at 9:52 pm

        Let's!! And maybe some roasted chickpeas on the side. Thanks brotha 🙂

        Reply
    22. Kate says

      February 02, 2015 at 7:22 pm

      Yum! What a great way to use the mushrooms I just bought. Now, to get my hands on some barley!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        February 03, 2015 at 9:53 pm

        I didn't have barley on hand so I just bought some in the Whole Foods bulk bins! Easy peasy.

        Reply
    23. Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says

      February 02, 2015 at 3:29 pm

      I am a sucker for anything made in the crockput, especially since I just got a new one for Christmas that ACTUALLY WORK! I'm excited to try this 🙂

      Reply
    24. Alysia @ Slim Sanity says

      February 02, 2015 at 12:53 pm

      I always feel like superwoman whenever I fill my tires with air, lol

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        February 03, 2015 at 9:53 pm

        Right?! It's the worst.

        Reply
    25. Julia says

      February 02, 2015 at 11:54 am

      Giiiiirl, you and I would be hot messes if we ever went on a road trip together, cause I epically suck at the tire pressure thing too. This lentil soup looks marvelously easy and healthy! I want it all in my facetrap!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        February 03, 2015 at 9:55 pm

        Your facetrap NEEDS DIS. Screw tires.

        Reply
    26. Chelsey says

      February 02, 2015 at 11:37 am

      This is right up my alley! Can't wait to try this!! And those bowls/cups are SO cute! Where are they from? Thanks!

      Reply
    27. She Rocks Fitness says

      February 02, 2015 at 10:55 am

      Definitely going to make this very soon...I love barley and haven't had it in a really long time! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

      Reply
    28. Maryea {happy healthy mama} says

      February 02, 2015 at 10:38 am

      Ooh it's been too long since I've had barley. This looks absolutely fabulous and I will be making it soon! My crockpot and I are becoming BFFs lately.

      Reply
    29. Cathy says

      February 02, 2015 at 10:31 am

      This looks wonderful and i used to make something similar. Since then i need to eat gluten free (mostly) and was wondering if you knew of any grain that woud take the place of barley, especially in this particular recipe? Any suggestions?

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        February 03, 2015 at 9:55 pm

        Hmmm maybe just use more lentils?

        Reply
        • Terri says

          March 22, 2015 at 3:18 pm

          What would be the directions to make this without a crockpot?

          Reply
          • Alexis says

            March 23, 2015 at 7:17 pm

            I would bring it all to a boil and then reduce the heat and simmer it covered until the barley and lentils are cooked through.

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