How To Cook Pearl Barley

Learn how to cook pearl barley three ways! It’s hearty, delicious and easy to prepare. It’s great in stews, soups, salads or as a side.

A common ingredient of the Mediterranean diet, barley is a cereal grain that can be used in a variety of dishes such as:

• Soups
• Stews
• Salads

Here’s everything you need to know about how to cook pearl barley on the stovetop, in an Instant Pot or rice cooker. Cooking barley is as simple as preparing pasta or rice.

It’s a fiber-packed grain with an appealing, chewy texture and a nutty aroma. It’s versatile and guaranteed to become a staple in your kitchen.

Tips and Tricks for Cooking Barley

• Soak overnight as you would legumes. This is optional but can help speed up the cooking time.
• Rinse before cooking to wash away any debris and excess starch.
• Try cooking it with vegetable broth instead of water for extra flavor.
• Drain any excess water after cooking and allow it to rest for 15 minutes in the pot, covered. This allows it to steam and absorb any remaining liquid.
• Fluff as you would rice for the perfect texture.

How To Cook Pearl Barley

Stovetop

1. To a large pot, add 1 1/2 cups (350ml) water or vegetable broth, 1/2 cup (108g) rinsed barley and 1/2 tsp (3g) salt. Partially cover the pot with the lid and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce the heat to a low simmer and let it cook for 25 to 30 minutes. There may be some extra water that you can drain but if you are making soup, you can reuse the vegetable cooking broth. Allow it to rest for 10 minutes.
3. Fluff with a fork and serve.

Instant Pot

1. Add the rinsed barley, salt and water into the pot. Cover and close the vent.
2. Set the pressure to high and cook for 20 minutes.
3. Allow the pressure to naturally release for 15 minutes or until safe to open.
4. Open the Instant Pot and drain if needed.
5. Fluff with a fork and serve.

Rice Cooker

1. Add 1 part barley and 2 parts liquid to the rice cooker. Add salt to taste. 
2. Close the lid and select “Brown Rice”. Allow it to cook until it switches to “Warm”. 
3. Rest for 15 minutes. Open the lid and drain if needed.
4. Fluff with a fork then serve.

Common FAQs

What’s the best way to cook pearl barley?

The best way to cook pearl barley is whichever way you prefer. Whether it’s through a stovetop, instant pot, or rice cooker, you can choose the most convenient method for you.

Does pearl barley need soaking before cooking?

Pearl barley doesn’t necessarily need to be soaked before cooking, but it does speed up the cooking time.

Does pearl barley have to be rinsed?

Yes, pearl barley does need to be rinsed to remove any dirt, dust or debris.

Can pearl barley be overcooked?

Pearl barley can be overcooked. When it is overcooked, it becomes mushy. It can also be undercooked, making the barley have a chewier texture.

What’s the difference between pearl, hulled and hull-less barley?

Pot or Hulled barley is a whole grain with only the outermost hull removed. It contains a little more fibre and takes an hour longer to cook. It has a denser chew.

Pearl barley is a polished grain with some or all the bran removed. It has a softer texture.

Hull-less or Un-hulled barley has none of the outer hull removed. It’s chewier and higher in fibre than pearl barley. It cooks in about the same time as hulled barley if soaked overnight.

Is barley gluten-free?

No, barley is not gluten-free. However, amaranth, quinoa and brown rice are all great gluten-free alternatives.

Does barley make you gassy or bloated?

The fibre and gluten in barley can cause gas and bloat. However, you can combat this by soaking or sprouting it before cooking. 

I do this with beans and lentils all the time and have outlined some steps in my Sprouted Lentil Stew recipe.

How much does barley expand when cooked?

Uncooked barley triples in volume when it is cooked. One cup of raw barley yields three cups of cooked barley.

Should I cook barley before adding to soups or stews?

It depends on the recipe. If you’ve got a big enough pot with enough broth, you can cook barley directly in the soup or stew. It will absorb the flavor of the broth and taste delicious. 

However, you should plan accordingly, as most of the liquid will be absorbed.

Personally, I prefer cooking barley separately before adding to soups. This allows me to drain and rinse it after cooking. This removes the extra starches that could make the soup too thick or like a stew.

For more details, please check out my Vegetable Barley Soup recipe.

Where do I buy pearl barley?

You can find pearl barley at most grocery stores. Depending on the layout, it could be in any of the following aisles: bulk, rice and beans or soup. When in doubt, ask an employee at the store!

If all else fails, you can purchase it online.

Serving Ideas

Barley is an excellent addition to salads. Toss with some greens, nuts, dried fruit and a dressing.

It could also be served as a side, like rice, with a bit of vegan butter or olive oil and seasoning. Here are some tasty recipes to serve with barley:

• Vegan Sweet Potato Chili
• Jamaican Curry Tofu
• Vegan Turkey with Gravy

You could add cooked barley to soups or stews in place of noodles to add some tasty chew to the dish.

It also makes a great alternative to arborio rice in this vegan butternut squash risotto.

Storage Tips

Cooked barley should be stored in an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or two months in the freezer.

If freezing, portion it out according to how you plan to use it. Avoid re-freezing once it’s defrosted.