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Hearty Turkey Soup with Potatoes and Pickles

No question- this is my favorite Hearty Turkey Meatball Barley Soup with Potato and Pickles! It also happens to be the only barley soup I make. Maybe it’s not the one I grew up eating, but it has become a favorite.

meatball-soup-in-a-white-bowl-with-a-spoon

This recipe comes from one of my sisters! She shared the recipe with me a few years ago, and my family has been enjoying it since. Naturally, this soup tastes too good to keep to myself, so I am sharing the recipe with you.

Best Time to Make this Hearty Barley Soup

These days, you can find turkey in the grocery stores year round! But I like to save this comforting recipe to make during the colder months, mostly around Thanksgiving. Actually, it’s one of our favorite soups around this time of year. Barley Pickle Turkey Soup is so filling that I like to serve it as a hearty main dish.

Soup is an easy and filling dish, and a great way to pack some more vegetables and nutrition into your day.

Soups are usually made from pantry staple ingredients, and this great recipe is no exception.

Ground turkey is loaded with protein and easy to find around the holiday season! I like to use the dark meat of the bird.

Pearl barley is chewy and nutritious, making it a great fiber-filled addition to this unique soup.

Key Ingredients

Hearty turkey soup ingredients- egg, onion, potatoes, pickles, butter, garlic, barley, pepper, salt, water, parsley, and ground turkey.

Soups are usually made from pantry staple ingredients, and this great recipe is no exception.

Ground turkey is loaded with protein and easy to find around the holiday season! I like to use the dark meat of the bird.

Pearl barley is chewy and nutritious, making it a great fiber-filled addition to this unique soup.

Egg: large

Water: to make the broth base of this soup and to cook the ingredients in.

Potatoes: I like to use yellow potatoes.

Onion: yellow, and not the sweet kind.

Dill pickles: Make sure it’s the kosher dill kind of pickles, it changes the taste of the soup if they’re not dill.

Along with these ingredients, you’ll need unsalted butter, garlic, salt, pepper, and fresh parsley

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

How to make Barley Turkey Soup with Potatoes and Pickles

Step 1: Prep the meat

In a bowl, mix ground turkey with the egg, salt, and pepper. (I like to use the dark meat of the turkey.)

ground-meat-with-salt-and-pepper-and-an-egg-in-a-white-bowl

Step 2: Bring water to boil

Fill a medium pot with water, or an inch over half-way full. Bring to a boil.

Step 3: Form meatballs

When the water comes to a boil, make small balls from the turkey mix and drop them into the pot. (The water must be boiling or the meatballs will fall apart). Cook the meatballs.

soup-with-meatballs-in-a-silver-pot

Step 4: Add the potatoes

Peel and cut the potatoes into small pieces. Add to the boiling meatballs.

soup-with-meatballs-and-potatoes-in-a-silver-pot

Step 5: Add the barley

In a separate small pot boil 2 cups of water and add the pearl barley. Boil for 10 minutes. Drain the pearl barley and add to the meatballs.

barley-on-a-spoon-being-added-into-a-pot-with-turkey-meatballs-and-potatoes-soup

Step 6: Prep the onion

Chop the yellow onion. Sauté in a pan with unsalted butter until the onion is soft.

chopped-onion-in-a-skillet-with-a-spatula

Step 7: Add the dill pickles

Chop kosher dill pickles into small squares. Add to the onion and sauté for another 2 minutes.

chopped-pickles-on-a-cutting-board-with-a-knife

Step 8: Add the garlic

Mince the garlic then add to the pan with the pickles and onions. Turn the heat off.

chopped-vegetables-on-a-skillet

Step 9: Add the herb

Add a small handful of fresh parsley to the onions.

sauteed-vegetables-in-a-skillet

Step 10: Combine everything together

After potatoes have softened, add sautéed vegetables into the pot. Salt and pepper to your taste.

meatball-soup-in-a-silver-pot

Step 11: Simmer

Simmer for 5 minutes. Enjoy.

Expert Tips

  • Explore herbs and spices like thyme, bay leaves, or rosemary for added depth, adjusting quantities to your taste.
  • Substitute the dill pickles with pickled jalapenos for a touch of heat in this delicious recipe.
  • This soup reheats well! Consider making a larger batch and storing leftovers in the refrigerator for a quick meal. Soup season is always great for meal planning!
  • Serve this hearty soup with dinner rolls or crusty bread. It makes a great comfort food meal! 

Recipe FAQs

What is barley?

Barley is a cereal grain that has a mild nutty flavor, with chewy tender flavor. Barley is still good to enjoy on its own, but also great in soups and salads.

Can I substitute barley for a gluten-free option?

Substitute the barley in this soup for a gluten free option such as buckwheat, rice, or even a gluten-free pasta. The recipe calls for barley, but you can find these quick and easy alternatives anywhere.

How do I store leftovers?

Cool this pickle soup before refrigerating; reheat gently on the stove.

Hearty Turkey Soup with Potatoes and Pickles in a bowl.

Turkey is a great protein option. Here are some more turkey recipes:

More Hearty Soup Recipes to Try

If you tried this Hearty Turkey Soup with Potatoes and Pickles or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you enjoyed it in the📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!

meatball-soup-in-a-white-bowl-with-a-spoon-and-sliced-bread-on-the-side

Hearty Turkey Soup with Potatoes and Pickles

This soup is filling, hearty, and perfect for chilly days.
5 from 2 votes
Rate Print Save Pin
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American, Soup
Allergy: Dairy Free, Nut Free
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings8
Calories: 191kcal
Author: Marina Rizhkov

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 quart water
  • 2 medium potatoes, chopped into quarters
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 3 dill pickles, kosher, diced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 small handful fresh parsley, chopped
  • ½ cup pearl barley, cooked & drained

Instructions

  • In a bowl, mix ground turkey with the egg, salt, and pepper. (I like to use the dark meat of the turkey.)
    1 lb ground turkey, salt,, 1 large egg, black pepper,
    ground-meat-with-salt-and-pepper-and-an-egg-in-a-white-bowl
  • Fill a medium pot with water, or an inch over half-way full. Bring to a boil.
    1 quart water
  • When the water comes to a boil, make small balls from the turkey mix and drop them into the pot. (The water must be boiling or the meatballs will fall apart). Cook the meatballs.
    soup-with-meatballs-in-a-silver-pot
  • Peel and cut 2 medium sized potatoes into small pieces. Add to the boiling meatballs.
    2 medium potatoes,
    soup-with-meatballs-and-potatoes-in-a-silver-pot
  • In a separate small pot boil 2 cups of water and add the pearl barley. Boil for 10 minutes. Drain the pearl barley and add to the meatballs.
    1 quart water, ½ cup pearl barley,
    barley-in-a-silver-pot
  • Chop the yellow onion. Sauté in a pan with unsalted butter until the onion is soft.
    1 yellow onion,, 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
    chopped-onion-in-a-skillet-with-a-spatula
  • Chop kosher dill pickles into small squares. Add to the onion and sauté for another 2 minutes.
    3 dill pickles,
    chopped-pickles-on-a-cutting-board-with-a-knife
  • Mince the garlic then add to the pan with the pickles and onions. Turn the heat off.
    1 clove garlic,
    chopped-vegetables-on-a-skillet
  • Add a small handful of fresh parsley to the onions.
    1 small handful fresh parsley,
    sauteed-vegetables-in-a-skillet
  • After potatoes have softened, add sautéed vegetables into the pot. Salt and pepper to your taste.
    meatball-soup-in-a-silver-pot
  • Simmer for 5 minutes. Enjoy.
    meatball-soup-in-a-silver-pot

Notes

Add salt to the soup according to your taste. 

Nutrition

Calories: 191kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 245mg | Potassium: 487mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 222IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @allweeat_com or tag #allweeat!
5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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