How to Cook Perfect Barley (2024)

This guide is all you need to learn how to cook barley perfectly every time! Tender, chewy barley is a versatile whole grain that is nutritious, easy to cook, and can be used in many ways.

We're diving a bit deeper into my Mediterranean pantry. Today's ingredient spotlight is one of my personal favorite grains, barley!

Barley

Barley is a whole grain with a pleasant chewy texture and a slightly nutty flavor. It is also quite nutritious and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which is why it is a staple Mediterranean diet ingredient.

I love using barley in soups, salads, or as a base for delicious dinner bowls. I have used it as a stuffing for squash, Persian Soupe Jo (Chicken Barley Soup), and more. When I’m in the mood for something sweet, a bowl of warm barley with warmed milk and a good drizzle of Greek honey is my breakfast cereal.

Hulled vs. pearl barley

There are two main types of barley: hulled barley and pearled barley.

Hulled barley

Hulled barley is minimally processed where only the inedible outer hull is removed, while the grains still retain the bran and endosperm layer. It is more nutrient-dense, but hulled barley benefits from soaking in cold water for a few hours before cooking. Still it does take longer to cook (anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 hour).

Pearled barley

My kind of unfussy grain, pearl barley is a lighter cream-colored grain, and lacks the husk and bran layers. Pearl barley is still a nutritious, although it has less fiber and is not considered a "whole grain." I mostly use the pearled version because it is easier to cook and is typically ready in less than 30 minutes (and no soaking required!)

Whichever type of barley you choose, it is easy to cook. All you need are a few cups of water or broth and simple seasonings (plain ol’ kosher salt works just fine!).

Is barley gluten free?

No, barley is not gluten-free, and should be avoided by those following a gluten-free diet. Brown rice is the most similar gluten-free grain substitute in recipes that call for barley. Quinoa would also work in a pinch.

Yield

To cook 1 cup of barley grains, you'll need 3 cups of water or broth. Like many grains, barley swells considerably when cooked, so 1 cup of dry barley grains will yield 3 cups of tender cooked grains.

How to cook barley

Whether you are working with pearl barley as I am here or with hulled barley, the cooking method is very much the same, only one takes longer to cook. Here is how to make it:

• For hulled barley only, soak the dry grains. Put 1 cup of the dry hulled barley grains in a large bowl and add 3 cups of water. Leave it alone for a few hours or overnight. This is an optional step but does help the cooking water to penetrate the grains better. (Skip this step if using pearl barley).
• Cook the grains. Boil 3 cups of water (or broth) and add 1 cup of barley.Season to your liking. For me, a good pinch of kosher salt does the trick. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until most (or all) of the liquid is absorbed and the barley is tender with a slightly chewy texture. Pearl barley takes 25 to 30 minutes to cook, and hulled barley will take 45 minutes to 1 hour to cook.

  

• Drain and garnish. Transfer the cooked barley to a colander to drain any excess liquid. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve.

  

How long will cooked barley last?

The beauty about this grain is that you can cook it ahead of time and keep it in the fridge to use on demand. You can also freeze it!

Once the barley comes to room temperature, store it in the fridge in an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days.

Or, transfer the cooled grains to a freezer-safe container and freeze it for up to 1 month.To reheat, defrost the barley in the refrigerator overnight. Then, add it to a saucepan on the stovetop with a few tablespoons of water. Cover and warm the barley over medium-high heat until heated through, tossing occasionally.

Ways to use barley

Its mild, slightly nutty flavor makes barley an incredibly versatile grain. You can use it in any number of ways, as it will not overpower other flavors.

Barley can take the place of almost any other grain in a recipe, but it is most similar to brown rice and farro in taste and texture.

Use it to add bulk to salads like this roasted cauliflower salad or soups including my turmeric lemon chicken soup (I intentionally don't add noodles to this chicken soup so that I can use grains when I need to add volume).

I especially like using pearl barley as a bed for stews, making them even more comforting. A particular favorite of mine to pair with barley is this Mediterranean-style chicken stew – warming and hearty in the best way!

You can also use cooked barley to replace rice in simple dinner bowls like my Mediterranean tuna bowls or Lebanese chicken fatteh bowls.

And for something sweet, I love cooking pearl barley into a porridge and flavoring it up with some dried fruit, pungent spices, and a little brown sugar, like in this burbara recipe.

Really, the possibilities for this wholesome grain are endless. Use your imagination to create unexpected pairings!

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Barley recipes to try

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