Mary Berry’s puy lentil and pearl barley soup

Name: puy lentil soup
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 6 servings

A deliciously healthy lentil soup recipe from Mary Berry which can easily be scaled up to feed a crowd.

Mary Berry's puy lentil and pearl barley soup

By Mary Berry | Published - 9 Nov 2025

Cooking Time

1 hour 10 mins

Serves

Ingredients

For 6 people

1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
100g (3½ oz) dried Puy lentils
100g (3½ oz) pearl barley
680g jar passata
1.5 litres (2¾ pints) chicken stock or vegetable stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tsp sugar
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

For 12 people

2 tbsp olive oil
2 onions, finely chopped
2 large carrots, finely diced
4 garlic cloves, crushed
225g (8oz) dried Puy lentils
225g (8oz) pearl barley
2 x 680g jars passata
3 litres (5½ pints) chicken stock or vegetable stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Method

Heat the oil in a deep frying pan, add the onion and carrots, and fry over a high heat, stirring, for 10 minutes or until lightly brown.
Add the garlic, lentils, and barley, and fry for 1 minute. Blend in the passata and stock and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Bring to the boil, cover with a lid, and simmer for 40-45 minutes (50-55 minutes for 12) or until the lentils and barley are tender.
Add the sugar and vinegar, check the seasoning, and serve.

In the Aga

At step 3, cover with a lid and transfer to the simmering oven for 45-55 minutes.

This is a hearty, healthy lentil soup full of flavour and goodness. Serve it piping hot with some crusty bread.

Notes

Storage tips

Mary Berry’s lentil soup can be made up to three days ahead, but it is not suitable for freezing.

From Mary Berry Cooks up a Feast by Mary Berry and Lucy Young (DK), RRP: £25.00.

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(Hero image credit: Mary Berry)

Written by: Mary Berry

Dame Mary Berry is one of the most respected food writers and presenters in the UK. She has written more than 70 cookbooks and was a judge on the Great British Bake Off.

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