Southwestern Three-Bean & Barley Soup

I read the reviews before I made this soup so I took the advice of the reviewers and doubled the spices and added a can of fire roasted tomatoes. It turned out great!

I made this recipe as directed (except I substituted barley w/ quinoa), and my choice of broth was vegetable. As a few mentioned in the comments below which I had read before making, it indeed tasted a bit too watery for my taste using the original recipe. It was like a bland tasting enchilada broth so I doubled the spices, added some cayenne pepper, 1 can of fire roasted tomatoes, and 1 cup of organic red enchilada sauce I had on hand. It brought the soup to life. Really good recipe once I tweaked it, and will def make again.

I used a can of each of the beans so I only used the 4 cups of broth and no water. We really liked it but next time I would add 2 cups of water - we wanted a heartier soup but the way I made it was almost like chili. Spices, onion, celery and carrot were as listed here. Overall, it was really good and I will make it again.

I used a can of each of the beans so I only used the 4 cups of broth and no water. We really liked it but next time I would add 2 cups of water - we wanted a heartier soup but the way I made it was almost like chili. Spices, onion, celery and carrot were as listed here. Overall, it was really good and I will make it again.

I made some variations to this soup based on what I had in my cupboard. I added a can of fire roasted tomatoes, I did 1 1/2 cup of dry black beans, one can of garbanzo beans, omitted the other two types of beans, added ground turkey, and and I tripled the spices. I also topped it with feta cheese (highly recommend this addition). After following the other recipe instructions entirely, I would say that in future I would use less water (maybe 6-7 total cups instead of 9) and more barley (perhaps one whole cup).

Easy Vegan Crockpot SoupI used exactly the volume of liquids for the crockpot version, doubled the spices like some others said and cooked on high for about 10 hours-after soaking the beans overnight. The beans were done perfectly but carrots and celery were mush by then. The amount of liquid was perfect but I do like thick soups. Not sure how to get around the overcooked vegetables and perfect bean conundrum.Pros: really simple, uses ingredients on handCons: a little bland, vegetables got mushy

Easy Vegan Crockpot Soup I used exactly the volume of liquids for the crockpot version, doubled the spices like some others said and cooked on high for about 10 hours-after soaking the beans overnight. The beans were done perfectly but carrots and celery were mush by then. The amount of liquid was perfect but I do like thick soups. Not sure how to get around the overcooked vegetables and perfect bean conundrum. Pros: really simple, uses ingredients on hand Cons: a little bland, vegetables got mushy

Excellent! I made this with vegetable broth and added a can of diced tomatoes. This soup is amazing. I did make a double batch and I'm really happy I did. Pros: Easy, vegetarian, hearty, healthy Cons: None!

Hearty Soup Followed the suggestion of others and doubled the spices. Glad I did; I think it would have been very bland if I hadn't. It took a very long time to cook on the stove. At first I couldn't believe the amount of liquid called for: 11 cups in total. But I ended up adding about an additional cup of broth before it was finished. All and all, an excellent soup, just what we needed for a cold winter day. Pros: Easy Cons: Long time on stove

Odd in slow cookerMade this according to the recipe in the slow cooker: 2 cups water and 4 cups broth. This was nowhere near enough liquid. Next time I will add canned tomatoes as other reviewers suggested.

Odd in slow cooker Made this according to the recipe in the slow cooker: 2 cups water and 4 cups broth. This was nowhere near enough liquid. Next time I will add canned tomatoes as other reviewers suggested.

Easy to prepare I followed the recipe and used the crock port version. It turned out like a rich stew. I reeally enjoyed it. Got better with age and made a great lunch. Pros: Great flavor

This was a good soup but there are better soups on this site.

This was a good soup but there are better soups on this site.

Very hearty, good tasting winter stew I made this soup in the slow cooker with a few minor adjustments. First, I soaked the beans in a bowl of water for about an hour before putting into the slow cooker. I also added a can of ro tel diced tomatoes and chiles for a little flavor and spice. I added the liquid as modified in the recipe for a slow cooker, and really like the way this came out, very hearty and thick, almost like a stew. I would suggest adding more water if you like your soups a bit thinner. My husband added a little tobasco, but he likes a lot more heat than I do, I thought it was perfectly seasoned. Definitely a keeper!

Very hearty, good tasting winter stewI made this soup in the slow cooker with a few minor adjustments. First, I soaked the beans in a bowl of water for about an hour before putting into the slow cooker. I also added a can of ro tel diced tomatoes and chiles for a little flavor and spice. I added the liquid as modified in the recipe for a slow cooker, and really like the way this came out, very hearty and thick, almost like a stew. I would suggest adding more water if you like your soups a bit thinner. My husband added a little tobasco, but he likes a lot more heat than I do, I thought it was perfectly seasoned. Definitely a keeper!

Blank canvas This is a great winter warmer. My thanks to the previous reviewers who advised increasing the seasoning. I had a bone from a spiral ham and though, it's not low sodium, it makes an excellent broth. I refrigerated and skimmed the fat from the stock and made the recipe as directed except I ONLY had navy beans and barley in the pantry. I increased the amount of veggies and spices. The end result was outstanding! Pros: Lots of options; easy Cons: Long cooking time; adjust original seasonings

This soup is great! After reading the reviews I adjusted the recipe accordingly and doubled the spices added 2 t Mexican oregano, chopped hot pepper (fresh or dried), and added more carrots and celery. I used 6 cups of water because I like a thick and hearty soup and call it a meal. I also added the barley in the last 1/2 hour of cooking because I like is chewy. Pros: Easy & Inexpencive Cons: Eaten up too quickly

Worst Soup EverWas extremely disappointed in this soup. It had no taste -it was like eating water with beans. I gave it as a give and even my friends said is was tasteless (how embarassing.) I usually find great delicious recipes from this magazine so I had no hesitation giving it as a gift without trying it out first...big mistake. The only thing that made the soup edible was adding tons of salsa. Did anyone in the test kitchen even try this soup before publishing it?Pros: EasyCons: Tasteless, Bland, Boring

Worst Soup Ever Was extremely disappointed in this soup. It had no taste -it was like eating water with beans. I gave it as a give and even my friends said is was tasteless (how embarassing.) I usually find great delicious recipes from this magazine so I had no hesitation giving it as a gift without trying it out first...big mistake. The only thing that made the soup edible was adding tons of salsa. Did anyone in the test kitchen even try this soup before publishing it? Pros: Easy Cons: Tasteless, Bland, Boring

these beans are yummy I bought dried beans for the first time to make this recipe. I like to play with the seasonings and adjust while it's simmering. I taste it every 30 min or so (when checking to see if I should add water) and add according to taste. I usually start out with low-sodium chicken stock, so more salt than the recipe lists is always needed. I love throwing everything in a pot and leaving it to simmer for a few hours. Easily freezes and reheats too. Pros: Healthy, high fiber, easy

Not very good My husband put a good tablespoon of hot sauce in his bowl so that he could try to enjoy this soup. I felt like it tasted like cardboard. Just not good at all- no flavor! Pros: Easy Cons: Bland, no flavor

Awesome soup!I doubled the veggies and the soup turned out great. It's healthy and great tasting. Will definitely be making this again.

Awesome soup! I doubled the veggies and the soup turned out great. It's healthy and great tasting. Will definitely be making this again.

A definite keeperI made this in the slow cooker, putting everything in the cooker before leaving for work. I used all the liquid called for in the recipe: the four cups of vegetable broth and nine cups of water. I doubled the seasoning and increased the beans to 5/8c each of three types. We also used 1/2c dried carrots, making this addition about an hour before serving. The whole thing cooked for 10 hours on low. The beans were perfectly done, and the seasoning was delicious. Playing up the southwestern theme, I offered sliced pickled jalapenos and grated cheese as toppers. I'm adding this to my recipe box!Pros: Very nutritious and inexpensiveCons: As written, a little bland and thin, but easy to alter

A definite keeper I made this in the slow cooker, putting everything in the cooker before leaving for work. I used all the liquid called for in the recipe: the four cups of vegetable broth and nine cups of water. I doubled the seasoning and increased the beans to 5/8c each of three types. We also used 1/2c dried carrots, making this addition about an hour before serving. The whole thing cooked for 10 hours on low. The beans were perfectly done, and the seasoning was delicious. Playing up the southwestern theme, I offered sliced pickled jalapenos and grated cheese as toppers. I'm adding this to my recipe box! Pros: Very nutritious and inexpensive Cons: As written, a little bland and thin, but easy to alter

Great in the slow cooker with a little bit of extra prep...I was worried about the beans being cooked enough so I soaked them overnight first, discarded the water in the morning and threw everything in the crock pot and let it go all day. I added more water at lunch as it was looking a little too thick.Pros: all ingredients on hand, easy prepCons: extra prep for dry beans

Great in the slow cooker with a little bit of extra prep... I was worried about the beans being cooked enough so I soaked them overnight first, discarded the water in the morning and threw everything in the crock pot and let it go all day. I added more water at lunch as it was looking a little too thick. Pros: all ingredients on hand, easy prep Cons: extra prep for dry beans

Great just the way it is! I find it interesting that previous reviews thought this soup was bland. I made it exactly according to the recipe and thought it was great! I made 12 gift jars of the soup mix and paired them with beer bread mixes - which I also made - and had 12 Christmas gifts for very little money. Pros: easy and inexpensive to make Cons: needs a long lead time

Made this today Been trying to cook for pre-diabetic health, to lower my cholesterol, and to lose weight, and I wanted to find some more recipes with barley. Followed this recipe exactly except that I used black beans, pinto beans, and black eyed peas because that's what I had on hand. When it was done, it was really bland so I started tweaking it. The other reviewer was right - double the spices. (Also right about needing to keep adding liquids throughout cooking time.) I also added red pepper flakes for a bit of kick. After that, it was very tasty. Then I decided to add some cooked chicken chicken breast (boneless, skinless) to make a complete meal out of it. Served it with cornbread, and my husband said "this soup is FINE!" which is his way of saying it was really good. Great cold weather meal.