Sopa de Lentejas con Carnitas (Mexican Lentil Soup with Pork)
A comforting Mexican home-style lentil soup with tomato, carrot and shredded pork, finished with lime and coriander.
Made with Mexican chicken stock (caldo de pollo) and Carnitas (slow cooked pork). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.71 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a large pot over a medium heat. Soften the onion and carrots for 6 minutes. Add the garlic for 1 minute.
7 min - 2
Add the tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes until they start to break down.
3 min - 3
Pour in the caldo de pollo (see the base recipe), add the lentils and oregano and bring to the boil. Simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, until the lentils are tender.
27 min 30 s - 4
Stir in the carnitas (see the base recipe) and simmer for 5 minutes, until the pork is steaming hot all the way through.
5 min - 5
Season to taste. Serve with coriander and a squeeze of lime.
Tips
- Do not add salt until the lentils are cooked, as it can toughen them.
- For a thicker soup, mash a few lentils against the side of the pot.
- Add a diced ripe plantain in the last 10 minutes for a traditional sweet touch.
Storing and freezing
Cool quickly and refrigerate within 2 hours. Keeps for up to 3 days, or freeze for 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I use red lentils?
They cook faster and break down, giving a smoother soup. Use 200 g and simmer for 15 minutes.
Is it spicy?
No. Add a diced serrano or a spoonful of salsa taquera at the table for heat.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, as long as your stock is gluten free.
More made with mexican chicken stock (caldo de pollo)
Caldo Tlalpeño (Chipotle Chicken and Chickpea Soup)
GFDFEFCrema de Calabaza con Chipotle (Smoky Squash Soup)
GFEFNFSopa Verde de Pollo (Green Chicken and Vegetable Soup)
GFDFEFArroz con Pollo y Pimientos (Mexican Chicken and Pepper Rice)
GFDFEFSee every dish made with mexican chicken stock (caldo de pollo)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.