Ash-e-jow (Iranian/Persian Barley Soup)
My mother-in-law makes this soup with a bit of tomato paste for extra flavor. She doesn't add lentils or beans. You can make it vegetarian by using vegetable stock.
The soup is thick and filling. It's a good meal on its own.
You can serve it with some extra lime wedges on the side.
By Nadia Kovalenko
Posted October 15, 2026Share
Time
Calories
Servings
Difficulty
Description
My mother-in-law makes this soup with a bit of tomato paste for extra flavor. She doesn't add lentils or beans. You can make it vegetarian by using vegetable stock.
The soup is thick and filling. It's a good meal on its own.
You can serve it with some extra lime wedges on the side.
Quick Tip Read the recipe in its entirety before you start cooking. This will help you understand the ingredients, steps, and timing involved, and allow you to prepare any necessary equipment or ingredients beforehand.
Ingredients 13
2 quarts chicken stock
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 cup uncooked pearl barley
0.25 cup tomato paste
1 lime, juiced
1 teaspoon turmeric
salt, to taste
ground black pepper, to taste
1 cup diced carrots
0.5 cup sour cream
0.5 cup chopped fresh parsley
8 lime wedges
Instructions
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1
Heat 2 quarts of chicken stock in a large saucepan to a gentle simmer.
-
2
Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced onion and cook until it's translucent. Add 1 cup of uncooked pearl barley and stir for 1 minute. Then add the hot stock, 0.25 cup of tomato paste, juice of 1 lime, 1 teaspoon of turmeric, salt, and ground black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 hour.
-
3
Stir in 1 cup of diced carrots and continue simmering until the soup thickens and the carrots and barley are tender, about 30 minutes. If the soup is too thick, add hot water 1 tablespoon at a time.
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4
Slowly pour 0.5 cup of hot soup into 0.5 cup of sour cream in a bowl, whisking constantly. Then add this mixture back into the soup, whisking constantly. Stir in 0.5 cup of chopped fresh parsley. Serve with 8 fresh lime wedges.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 8
Amount Per Serving
-
Calories 193 kcal
% Daily Value *
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Total Fat 7g
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Saturated Fat 3g
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Cholesterol 10mg
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Sodium 178mg
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Total Carbohydrate 28g
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Dietary Fiber 4g
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Protein 6g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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