How to cook barley and our best barley recipes! This plump and chewy whole grain is great for salads, side dishes and more.
Here’s a grain that’s chewy and hearty and works in everything from hearty comfort food to fresh salads: barley! This ancient whole grain has nourished people for centuries, and with good reason. It’s packed with protein, fiber and vitamins: Its soft texture and nutty flavor are irresistibly delicious! Throw it into salads and soups, or eat it as a side dish or alternative to rice. Learn more about this grain and our best barley recipes!
what is barley
Barley is a whole grain with a chewy texture and nutty flavor. It is a seed of the grass family Poaceae and is the fourth largest grain crop in the world after wheat, rice and corn. It is one of the oldest grains, having been cultivated in Egypt for over 10,000 years!
Is barley gluten free? Barley contains gluten and is therefore not suitable for people on a gluten-free diet. It is not a type of wheat, a common misconception: they are two different types of grass.
types of barley
There are two types of barley you can find in the store: Pot and Pearl. The difference is similar to white rice versus brown rice: like brown rice, less grain is removed during processing. We tend to use nacre because it cooks faster, but some people prefer the nutritional profile of clams. Here’s a breakdown:
- pearl barley has only the outer shell of the grain removed, so has more fiber than the pearl variety. It is darker in color and takes about 1 hour to cook.
- pearl or pearl barley is the most common form in which the outer layers of envelope and sound have been removed. Cooking takes less time, about 30 minutes. It’s still very nutritious; see below.
Barley nutrition: peeled vs. pearled
Some sources recommend eating peeled pearl barley for nutritional reasons. But the nutritional differences between the two are not very significant! Pearl is still an excellent source of protein and fiber. Here’s the nutritional breakdown for 100 grams of uncooked grains (about 1 ½ cups cooked):
| ingredient | calories | protein | crabs | fiber | Large |
| pearl barley | 354 | 12.5 grams | 73.5 grams | 17.3 grams | 2.3 grams |
| pearl barley | 352 | 9.9 grams | 77.7 grams | 15.6 grams | 1.2 grams |
Data source: Medical News Today
How to cook barley: a few tips
There are many ways to cook barley: go to the recipe below for our master method! Here are some basic method tips before you start:
- Use 3 parts water to 1 part barley. You can also cook it the “pasta method” without measuring the water. Fill a large saucepan with water, bring to a boil, then add the grains and cook until tender.
- Simmer 25 to 30 minutes for pearlescent or 45 to 1 hour for potted barley. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to minimum and cover the pan. You can add more water if the pan gets dry while cooking the peeled variety.
- Drain and serve. Once soft, drain excess water. Then you are ready to serve! Add salt and butter or olive oil if serving as a side dish, or allow to cool if using in salads.
barley recipes
What is the best way to use this grain in recipes? Make it a side dish and use it instead of rice in dishes like stuffed peppers or fried rice. Or add it to salads, soups, cereal bowls and more! Here are a few ideas:
Here’s one of the cosiest soups: Mushroom Barley Soup! This one is packed with flavor: it uses both dried and fresh mushrooms for an earthy flavor. It has a warming broth and nutritious veggies. And the star? Whole grain barley that adds a chewy, pasta-like texture to every bite.
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This is our favorite way to use barley: in a barley salad! Crisp veggies and a lemon-olive oil vinaigrette work magic with this whole grain. Mix up the veggies based on what you have on hand and you can make many variations. It’s so hearty and hearty, great as a side to a vegetarian meal or perfect for lunch.
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Introducing this easy barley bowl! This combination of whole grains, veggies, protein, and a sauce makes dinner delicious. Irresistibly good, this one combines barley with tenderly roasted broccoli and cauliflower, crisp raw vegetables and a creamy note of tahini sauce. Serve it in a shallow dish and well, it swoons.
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Here’s a super cozy and deliciously hearty soup: Vegan Mushroom Soup! You won’t believe how creamy it is… without the use of dairy! Use the magic of cashew nuts to create a deliciously creamy base. Add spices, lots of veggies, and whole grains, and it’s the perfect canvas for showcasing deliciously flavorful mushrooms.
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Photo credit:
www.epicurious.com
Barley is a great topping for stuffed vegetables! This Stuffed Peppers recipe is economical, healthy and delicious! Make this if you have leftover cooked barley, brown rice, or quinoa from the night before. About Epicurious
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Photo credit:
www.thesprueeats.com
barley for breakfast? Yes, this whole grain makes an ideal porridge that resembles oatmeal. It’s a nice change from the hot granola realm: mix it with honey, pear nectar, cinnamon, and dried cranberries. eats over the spruce
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www.africanbites.com
What’s a more classic barley recipe than the old home cooking standard: barley soup with beef! This one is packed with tender cuts of beef, meaty pearl barley and vegetables. It’s a complete meal in one bowl! about flawless bites
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Photo credit:
www.spendwithpennies.com
Another use for barley? As a rice substitute in classic Italian risotto! The Mushroom Barley Risotto is heartier than the standard, deliciously creamy with fluffy grits for the barley. spend about money
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www.budgetbytes.com
Try this delicious Vegetable Barley Soup! It’s simple, hearty, filled with tons of color, texture, and flavor. Thanks to a healthy serving of barley, it’s also super filling. about budget bytes
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How to cook other whole grains
Want an alternative to that fluffy cereal? There are many other tasty whole grains to add to your repertoire. Here are some of our best recipes:
- Attempt Faroa similar grain with a nutty flavor and faster cooking time
- Decide for milleta unique seed with a chewy texture (gluten free)
- Attempt Andean milleteveryone’s favorite gluten free grain
- to decide bulgura hearty, quick-cooking grain
This barley recipe is…
Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based and dairy-free.
The description
How to cook barley and our best barley recipes! This plump and chewy whole grain is great for salads, side dishes and more.
- Place barley, salt and water in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes for pearl barley and 45-1 hour for potted barley (you can add more water for potted barley if the pan gets dry).
- Drain excess water. As a side dish, season with salt, butter or olive oil and herbs. Or place in a single layer on a baking sheet and let cool for a few minutes (put in the freezer to speed up cooling) before using in salad recipes.
- Category: garnish
- Method: Cook
- Kitchen: full grain
- Diet: vegan
Keywords: Barley, barley recipes, how to cook barley
