As with most grains, it is a good idea to rinse pearl barley before cooking with it — particularly if adding straight to a soup or a stew. If you want to add pearl barley to a soup or stew but don’t want the barley to thicken it then cook it separately first. Boil in water for 20-30 minutes and rise before using.
To wash barley, place it into a bowl and add enough water to cover the grain by 1 to 2 inches. Rub it with your fingers, drain the water, and repeat a few times. Transfer the grain into a mesh strainer and rinse under running water. Shake to remove the excess water. There are a few methods you can use to cook pearl and pot barley.
How to cook barley on the stove?
Combine one cup barley with three cups water and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. (Alternatively, use chicken stock or vegan broth.) Bring to a boil over high heat and lower to a simmer. Cook until barley is tender yet chewy, about 25–30 minutes for pearl barley, 40–50 for hulled barley.
Pot barley is best when soaked overnight in cold water, then cooked in three parts liquid to one quantity of grain. Should barley be cooked before adding to soup?
Over medium-high heat, bring the water to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook. Cooking time for pearl barley is around 35 minutes and for pot barley around 50 minutes. Turn off the heat, stir the barley, cover the saucepan and let it stand for another 5 to 10 minutes.
Barley is done when it has absorbed all or almost all the water, expanded in size and is soft but chewy. What to keep in mind when cooking barley: Barley tends to foam and can easily spill over.
Do you have to boil pearl barley before adding to soup?
If you want to add pearl barley to a soup or stew but don’t want the barley to thicken it then cook it separately first. Boil in water for 20-30 minutes and rise before using. Can you add uncooked pearl barley to soup ? Pearl barley is a delicious grain that can be cooked simply in salted water. Or, add uncooked grains to mixed vegetable soups.