How to Cook Barley

Barley is a versatile grain that works wonderfully in soups, salads, or even as a standalone side dish. With its chewy texture and mild earthy taste, it offers a refreshing alternative to grains like rice or quinoa. Plus, it's packed with fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Ready to give barley a go? Here’s how to prepare this hearty grain:

Different Varieties of Barley

The cooking time for barley varies depending on the type you choose.

Hulled Barley: A Whole Grain

Pearled Barley: Not a Whole Grain

Stovetop

There are two primary methods for cooking barley on the stovetop:

Absorption Method: Combine one cup of dry barley with three cups of water (or broth for added flavor) and a generous pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, watching closely as it may foam and spill over. Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer until the barley is tender yet chewy, adding more water if necessary. Pearled barley will take about 25-30 minutes, while hulled barley may take 40-50 minutes. Drain any leftover water and fluff the barley with a fork before serving.

Pasta Method: Bring a large pot of water and a pinch of salt to a boil, similar to cooking pasta. Add one cup of barley and cook until the grains are tender and chewy. Check pearled barley after 25 minutes and hulled barley after 40 minutes. Drain the barley through a fine mesh strainer, fluff with a fork, and serve.

In Soups and Stews

Barley is a classic addition to soups, like the ever-popular beef and barley variety. Stirring barley into vegetable or beef soups not only thickens the dish but also adds a rich, hearty texture. Remember, barley—whether pearled or hulled—absorbs about three times its weight in liquid. For example, one cup of barley will need about three cups of broth to cook fully. Depending on how much barley you add, you may need to adjust the liquid levels in your soup or stew.

Rice Cooker

Your rice cooker is more versatile than you might think. You can easily cook barley using the brown rice setting. Just follow the water-to-grain ratio recommended for brown rice in your rice cooker's manual, and you'll have perfectly cooked barley in no time.