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Here’s how to cook barley and our top barley recipes! This plump, chewy whole grain is ideal for salads, side dishes, and more.
Here’s a grain that’s chewy, hearty, and works in everything from hearty comfort food to fresh salads: barley! This ancient whole grain has been nourishing humans for centuries, and for good reason. It’s packed with protein, fiber and vitamins: and it’s chewy texture and nutty flavor are irresistibly delicious! Throw it into salads and soups, or eat it as a side dish or as an alternative to rice. Here’s more about this grain and our top barley recipes!
What is barley?
Barley is a whole grain with a chewy texture and nutty flavor. It’s a seed of the grass family grass family Poaceae and is the fourth largest grain crop in the world, after wheat, rice and corn. It’s one of the oldest cereal grains and was grown in Egypt over 10,00 years ago!
Is barley gluten free? Barley contains gluten, so it’s not suitable for people with gluten-free diets. It’s not a type of wheat, a common misconception: they’re both different types of grass.
Types of barley
There are two types of barley you can find at the store: hulled and pearl. The difference is similar to white rice vs brown rice: like brown rice, hulled has less of the grain removed during processing. We tend towards using pearl because it cooks faster, but some people prefer the nutritional profile of hulled. Here’s a breakdown:
- Hulled barley has just the outer husk of the grain removed, so it has more fiber than the pearl variety. It’s darker in color and takes about 1 hour to cook.
- Pearled or pearl barley is the more common form that has the outer husk and bran layers removed. It takes less time to cook, about 30 minutes. It’s still very nutritious; see below.
Barley nutrition: hulled vs pearl
Some sources recommend eating hulled over pearl barley for nutrition reasons. But the nutritional differences between the two aren’t very significant! Pearl is still a great source of protein and fiber. Here is the nutrition breakdown for 100 grams of uncooked grain (about 1 ½ cups cooked):
| Ingredient | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fiber | Fat |
| Hulled 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: some tips
There are a few ways to cook barley: head to the recipe below for our master method! Here are a few tips on the basic method before you start:
- Use 3 parts water to 1 part barley. You can also cook it using the “pasta method” without measuring the water. Fill a large pot with water, bring it to a boil, then add the grains and cook until tender.
- Simmer 25 to 30 minutes for pearl , or 45 to 1 hour for hulled barley. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover the pot. You can add more water if the pan becomes dry when cooking the hulled variety.
- Drain and serve. Once tender, drain any excess water. Then you’re ready to serve! Add salt and butter or olive oil if you’re serving as a side dish, or you can allow it to cool if using in salads.
Barley recipes
What’s the best way to use this grain in recipes? Make it as a side dish and use it instead of rice in dishes like stuffed peppers or fried rice. Or, add it to salads, soups, grain bowls, and more! Here are some ideas:
Here’s of the coziest soups out there: Mushroom Barley Soup! This one is full of flavor: it uses both dried and fresh mushrooms for earthy savoriness. It’s got a warming broth and nutritious veggies. And the star? Whole grain barley, which infuses each bite with a pasta-like chewy texture.
Here's our favorite way to use barley: in a Barley Salad! Crunchy veggies and a lemon and olive oil dressing make magic with this whole grain. Mix up the vegetables based on what you have on hand, and you can make loads of variations. It’s so hearty and filling, great as a side dish for a vegetarian meal or perfect for lunches.
Introducing this easy Barley Power Bowl! This combination of whole grain, veggies, protein and a sauce makes dinnertime delicious. This one is irresistibly good, pairing barley with tender roasted broccoli and cauliflower, crunchy raw veg, and finished off with a creamy pop of tahini sauce. Serve it in a shallow bowl and well, it’s swoon-worthy.
Here’s a soup that’s ultra cozy and deliciously hearty: Vegan Mushroom Soup! You won’t believe how creamy this is…without the use of dairy! Harness the magic of cashews to make a delightfully creamy base. Add to that spices, lots of veggies and whole grains, and it’s the perfect canvas to highlight deliciously savory mushrooms.
Barley is a great filling for stuffed vegetables! This stuffed peppers recipe is economical, healthy, and scrumptious! Whip it up anytime you have leftover cooked barley, brown rice, or quinoa from the night before. Via Epicurious
Barley for breakfast? Yes, this whole grain makes an ideal porridge that's similar to oatmeal. It's a nice change of pace in the hot cereal arena: mix it together with honey, pear nectar, cinnamon, and dried cranberries. via The Spruce Eats
What's a more classic barley recipe than the old comfort food standard: Beef Barley Soup! This one is loaded with tender chunky beef, plump pearl barley and vegetables. It's a complete meal in a bowl! via Immaculate Bites
Another use for barley? As a replacement for rice in the classic Italian risotto! Mushroom barley risotto is heartier than the standard, deliciously creamy with chewy grains for barley. via Spend with Pennies
Try this tasty Vegetable Barley Soup! It's easy, filling, packed with tons of color, texture, and flavor. Thanks to a healthy dose of barley, it’s also super filling. via Budget Bytes
How to cook other whole grains
Want an alternative to this chewy grain? There are lots of other tasty whole grains to add to your repertoire. Here are a few of our top recipes:
- Try Farro, a similar grain with a nutty flavor and quicker cook time
- Go for Millet, a unique seed with a fluffy texture (gluten-free)
- Try Quinoa, everyone’s favorite gluten-free grain
- Opt for Bulgur Wheat, a hearty, quick cooking grain
This barley recipe is…
Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based and dairy-free.
How to Cook Barley (& Barley Recipes!)
- Prep Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 3 cups 1x
Description
Here’s how to cook barley and our top barley recipes! This plump, chewy whole grain is ideal for salads, side dishes, and more.
Instructions
- Place the barley, salt, and water in a pot.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer 25 to 30 minutes for pearl barley and 45 to 1 hour for hulled barley (for hulled barley, you can add more water if the pan becomes dry).
- Drain any excess water. Season with additional salt, butter or olive oil, and herbs if serving as a side dish. Or, place it in a single layer on a baking sheet and allow to cool for a few minutes (pop it in the freezer to speed up cooling) before using in salad recipes.
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Whole grain
- Diet: Vegan
Let us know if you have any questions!