How to Cook Pearl Barley

A bowl of cooked barley with chopped parsley on top.

5 from 2 votes

Here's how to cook pearl barley on the stovetop perfectly every time. This tender, slightly chewy grain is nutritious and can be used in soups, casseroles, salads or as part of a main entree. For the nutrition calculations, one serving is ½ cup of cooked barley. One cup of raw barley grains equals about 3 ¼ cups of cooked grain.

Prep Time5

Cook Time25

Total Time30

Course: grains dish

Cuisine: Any

Keyword: how to cook pearl barley

Servings:

Calories: 139.7kcal

Author: Susan Pridmore

Equipment

fine mesh strainer
Dutch oven or other heavy-bottomed pot

Ingredients

1 cup pearl barley
3 cups water or vegetable broth
2 teaspoons Better Than Bouillon, Roasted Vegetable Paste
½ teaspoon Kosher salt or ¼ teaspoon table salt (optional if using vegetable broth or water)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter or extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

Rinse the barley grain by lightly rubbing the grains between your hands under running water. Drain.
Heat the water in a heavy bottomed pot over high heat, and add the Better Than Bouillon vegetable paste, and butter. When the water comes to a boil, reduce the heat to simmer and add the rinsed barley grains.
Cover the pot and simmer until the grains are tender and chewy, about 25 - 30 minutes.
Strain out any excess liquid. This can be used for vegetable broth or discarded.
NOTE: If using hulled barley, follow these same directions, but cook for 45 - 60 minutes until the grain is tender and chewy.

Nutrition