pork and lentil soup with barley

Name: Pork and Lentil Soup With Barley
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 pound(s) pork loin chops, boneless; 1/2 cup(s) all-purpose flour; salt and pepper; 3 to 4 tablespoon(s) canola oil; 1/2 cup(s) chopped onion or 1 Tbsp onion powder; 1/2 - 1 teaspoon(s) garlic powder; 1 teaspoon(s) dry mustard; 1 - 2 teaspoon(s) Italian seasoning; 1 cup(s) chopped celery; 1 cup(s) sliced carrot; 2 quart(s) chicken or vegetable stock; 2/3 cup(s) quick cooking barley; 2 - 3 cup(s) cooked lentils; 1 - 2 bay leaves

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Martha Moore

Hendersonville, NC

Updated on Nov 17, 2025

My sister-in-law has a severe beef allergy, so many of my favorite hearty soups and stews are a no-go for her. This soup is a play on beef and barley. Instead of stew beef, I seared pork cubes instead and used chicken stock. Vegetable stock would work wonderfully, too. I decided to use both lentils and barley together simply because I like both. You could certainly just use one or the other.

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A big pot of simmering Pork and Lentil Soup.

prep time 30 Min

cook time 1 Hr 30 Min

method Stove Top

yield 12 cup(s)

Ingredients

3 pounds pork loin chops, boneless
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
salt and pepper
3 to 4 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 cup chopped onion or 1 Tbsp onion powder
1/2 - 1 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 - 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup sliced carrot
2 quarts chicken or vegetable stock
2/3 cup quick cooking barley
2 - 3 cups cooked lentils
1 - 2 bay leaves

How To Make pork and lentil soup with barley

Step 1

Cut pork loins into 1" cubes.

Step 2

Add salt and pepper to the flour in a large baggie. Add pork a few pieces at a time to the baggie and shake to coat. Continue until all pieces are coated.
Step 3

Heat oil in a stockpot. Add pork to the oil and sear on all sides until golden brown. Remove from the pot and set aside.
Step 4

Put onion, celery, carrots, dry mustard, and garlic (or garlic powder) into the hot pot. Stir until vegetables are softened. Add a little oil if needed to avoid burning.
Step 5

Pour in all of the stock and stir well. Add Italian seasoning. Taste for seasoning, add salt and pepper if needed.
Step 6

Add pork, lentils, and barley. Bring back to a boil, stirring often, for 15 minutes.
Step 7

Add bay leaves and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and let simmer for 45 minutes or until barley is soft.
Step 8

Remove bay leaves and serve with your favorite bread! Enjoy.
Step 9

Freeze the leftovers for a quick weeknight meal.
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