Instant Pot Lentil-Barley Soup

Hello lovelies! It’s FALL! 🍁🍂 As winter approaches in the northern hemisphere, there’s nothing like a hearty bowl of soup to warm your bones!

This Instant Pot Lentil-Barley Soup brings together protein-rich lentils, hearty barley, and an abundance of vegetables for a plant-based, oil-free meal that satisfies both body and soul. It’s a simple one-pot recipe that feels rustic yet nourishing—perfect for busy weeknights or slow Sunday afternoons.

Here’s the recipe:

ingredients

• 1½ cups green or brown lentils

• 1 cup pearled barley (SEE NOTES)

• 8 cups low or no sodium veggie broth (SEE MY RECIPE FOR HOMEMADE BROTH HERE!)

• 3 TBS tomato paste

• 1 cup chopped carrots

• 2-3 celery ribs, diced

• 1 medium sized onion, diced

• 1 red bell pepper, diced

• 3-4 leaves chopped kale (I used lacinato, also called dino kale)

• 1 TBS Bragg’s Organic Sprinkle (SEE NOTES)

• 1 TBS seasoning blend of your choice (I used Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute)

• 1 TBS white miso

• 1 tsp poultry seasoning

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp ground black pepper

• 1 tsp curry powder (optional)

• 1 tsp ground turmeric

method

1. Add all ingredients except tomato paste, kale and turmeric to the Instant Pot.

2. Add love! ❤️

3. Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.

4. Release pressure after 10 more minutes.

5. Add the remaining ingredients, mix well, and let sit on the “keep warm” setting another 10 minutes.

6. Garnish with some fresh parsley and ENJOY!

Serves 8-10 (you may have leftovers!)

NOTES

• Many whole food plant based people prefer whole barley to pearled. That’s fine! If you want to use whole (hulled) barley but not pearled you’ll need to cook it ahead of time due to its longer cooking requirement. Just cook and add to the soup afterwards.

• Have you ever tried Bragg’s Organic Sprinkle? If you’ve been following my blog for any length of time you’ll know it’s a favorite of mine. It lends so much depth of flavor for recipes such as this one. It’s especially good for Thanksgiving recipes like stuffings and my Holiday Lentil Loaf! I hope you will give it a try. Of course, if you don’t have this on hand you can always sub individual herbs for this soup. I would use rosemary, thyme and oregano, or whichever herbs are your favorites!

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