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    Home » Recipes

    12/17/2022

    23 Best Barley Recipes That Are Easy to Make

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    Barley is a healthy whole grain that is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It’s a popular and budget-friendly ingredient to add to soups, stews and salads. We’ve collected some of the best Barley Recipes for you to make at home.

    Barley is a healthy whole grain that is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It’s a popular and budget-friendly ingredient to add to soups, stews and salads. We’ve collected some of the best Barley Recipes for you to make at home.

    This ancient grain has a nutty flavor and adds a chewy texture to your dish such as bread, beverage, soups, and stews.

    Table of Contents Show
    What is Barley?
    What’s the Best Way to Eat Barley?
    What Pairs Well with Barley?
    Tips for Cooking with Barley
    Health Benefits of Barley Grain
    Best Recipes with Barley
    Beef Barley Soup
    How to Cook Pearl Barley
    Quick Barley Bread
    Barley Flour Vegetarian Pizza
    Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables Barley Recipe
    Barley Salad with Roasted Carrots
    Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Stew
    Barley Soups
    Chicken Barley Soup
    Mushroom Barley Soup
    Vegetable Barley Soup
    Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup
    Easy Breakfast Barley Recipes
    Old-Fashioned Sweet Barley Pudding
    Breakfast Barley Porridge
    Cinnamon Apple Breakfast Barley Recipe
    Barley Recipes for Weight Loss
    Healthy Barley Soup
    Korean Barley Tea Recipe
    Vegan Roasted Garlic Mushroom and Barley Stew
    Indian Vegetarian Masala Barley Buddha Bowl
    Other Simple and Delicious Barley Recipes
    Vegan Barley Asparagus Risotto with Peas
    Barley Rice Pilaf
    Summer Barley Salad with Corn and Blueberries
    Malted Barley Pull-Apart Loaves
    Lentil Barley Burgers
    FAQ About Barley
    Is Barley Gluten-Free?
    Do You Have to Soak Barley Before Cooking?
    Best Barley Recipes (Easy Barley Soup and More)

    What is Barley?

    Barley is a delicious, budget-friendly, and fibre-rich ancient grain. It’s a type of cereal grass and very similar to wheat. 

    What’s the Best Way to Eat Barley?

    The most popular way to use barley is to add it to soups and stews. You can also add it to salad and casseroles.

    What Pairs Well with Barley?

    Barley pairs well with roasted vegetables such as squash and mushrooms. You can even make it into a creamy barley-based risotto with vegetables and parmesan. You can also garnish barley dishes with fresh herbs, arugula or watercress for a colorful finish.

    Tips for Cooking with Barley

    • The yield is 1:3 for dry to cooked, so one cup of dry pearl barley makes 3 cups cooked.
    • Plan on 25-30 minutes to cook pearl barley on the stovetop. 
    • For more tender barley with faster cooking, try soaking it for several hours to overnight before cooking.

    Health Benefits of Barley Grain

    Barley is a good source of fiber, potassium, and B vitamins. It’s naturally low in cholesterol, can help with weight loss, and may reduce the risk of heart disease.  

    Pearled barley is the most common type of barley. The outer husk and the bran layer have been removed, giving it a smooth and pearl-like appearance. It cooks faster than hulled barley but isn’t as nutritious. 

    Best Recipes with Barley

    Beef Barley Soup

    Beef Barley Soup

    Beef barley soup is a hearty meal in a bowl! It’s full of tender chunks of beef, barley, and veggies. Serve it with thick slices of crusty bread for a satisfying meal.

    How to Cook Pearl Barley

    How to Cook Pearl Barley

    Here are the basics for cooking pearl barley. Whether you’re using the stovetop, slow cooker or Instant Pot, enjoy tender and flavorful barley with these easy tips.

    Quick Barley Bread

    Quick Barley Bread

    There’s no yeast in this quick bread, but it bakes up beautifully! Give it a try if you’re new to bread-baking, or if you enjoy the flavor and texture of rustic bread.

    Barley Flour Vegetarian Pizza

    Barley Flour Vegetarian Pizza

    Did you know you could make pizza dough using barley flour? It produces a thin and crispy crust that is soft in the middle. Plus, it’s a healthier option too!

    Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables Barley Recipe

    Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables Barley Recipe

    As an ancient grain, barley is great for roasting, and this recipe shows you how to make it Mediterranean-style! It’s a comforting side dish packed with wholesome flavors and a pleasing texture too.

    Barley Salad with Roasted Carrots

    This barley salad with roasted carrots would be delicious served with grilled meat. Make a plan to serve it the next time you’re having a barbeque! 

    Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Stew

    Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Stew

    Barley holds up beautifully in the slow cooker, and this beef and barley stew is no exception! Enjoy tender barley and mouthwatering beef in every bite. It’s hearty and satisfying comfort food at its best! 

    Barley Soups

    Chicken Barley Soup

    Chicken Barley Soup

    Use a rotisserie chicken for this chicken barley soup, or cook some bone-in chicken breasts instead. This soup uses basic ingredients and is ready to enjoy in about an hour.

    Mushroom Barley Soup

    Mushroom Barley Soup

    Serve this hearty vegan-friendly soup to your family for next week’s Meatless Monday! It’s full of healthy veggies and they won’t even miss the meat.

    Vegetable Barley Soup

    Vegetable Barley Soup

    Enjoy this thick and hearty vegetable barley soup when the weather outside is cold! It’s made with basic ingredients and the chickpeas add a boost of fiber and protein. 

    Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

    Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

    Barley is perfect for the Instant Pot. Not only does it come out tender, but it’s faster than traditional cooking methods. This soup is packed full of beef and vegetables for a mouthwatering weeknight dinner everyone will love!

    Easy Breakfast Barley Recipes

    Old-Fashioned Sweet Barley Pudding

    Old-Fashioned Sweet Barley Pudding

    Here is a traditional British dessert that you can make in the crock pot. It’s like bread pudding made better (and more filling) thanks to whole grains. Skip the rice pudding and try this instead!

    Breakfast Barley Porridge

    Breakfast Barley Porridge

    Instead of oatmeal, try barley porridge! Seriously, folks, this is an awesome breakfast you can customize with your favorite toppings including raisins, milk, brown sugar, cinnamon and nuts. It’s heavenly!

    Cinnamon Apple Breakfast Barley Recipe

    Here is another barley breakfast idea when you want a break from oatmeal. This recipe is rich in dietary fiber for a heart-healthy start to the day!

    Barley Recipes for Weight Loss

    Healthy Barley Soup

    Healthy Barley Soup

    Treat yourself to a warm bowl of this hearty and healthy barley soup for lunch. It uses basic ingredients you likely have on hand, and takes just 30 minutes to make! 

    Korean Barley Tea Recipe

    Korean Barley Tea Recipe

    Koreans have long made tea out of barley for a range of health benefits. Learn how to make barley tea so you can also enjoy its flavors, while imagining yourself in Korea! 

    Vegan Roasted Garlic Mushroom and Barley Stew

    Vegan Roasted Garlic Mushroom and Barley Stew

    The mushrooms in this barley stew have a meaty texture and the barley makes it extra hearty. Enjoy it with toasted rolls slathered in butter!  

    Indian Vegetarian Masala Barley Buddha Bowl

    Here is a fusion dish combining Indian masala flavors plus barley into a Buddha Bowl! How awesome is that? It features barley, vegetables, paneer and yogurt for a healthy and balanced meal!

    Other Simple and Delicious Barley Recipes

    Vegan Barley Asparagus Risotto with Peas

    Vegan Barley Asparagus Risotto with Peas

    If you love risotto, give this vegan asparagus risotto a try! It’s made with pearl barley instead of rice, and is ready to enjoy in about 45 minutes.  

    Barley Rice Pilaf

    Barley Rice Pilaf

    Move over rice pilaf! When you want to switch things up, try this barley pilaf instead. It’s full of flavor and nutrition with a satisfying texture you won’t get from rice. So good!

    Summer Barley Salad with Corn and Blueberries

    You’ll love the colors and textures of this flavorful barley salad. The blueberries add a punch of color and sweetness and it’s super easy to make. 

    Malted Barley Pull-Apart Loaves

    Malted Barley Pull-Apart Loaves

    Here is a great appetizer for Thanksgiving and other holidays. A great alternative to traditional dinner rolls, these are soft and fluffy with just a hint of malt flavor. Plus, they offer the benefits of whole grains!

    Lentil Barley Burgers

    Lentil Barley Burgers

    There are a lot of ingredients in this recipe and the result is delicious and flavorful veggie burgers. The lentils and barley add texture, and the burgers are perfectly seasoned. Serve them on buns with your favorite toppings! 

    FAQ About Barley

    Is Barley Gluten-Free?

    No. Barley contains about 5-8% gluten and shouldn’t be consumed by people who are sensitive to, or can’t tolerate gluten due to health reasons.

    Do You Have to Soak Barley Before Cooking?

    It is not necessary to soak barley before cooking. However, soaking will make it less chewy while also speeding up the cooking time.

    You May Also Like

    • Best Couscous Recipes
    • Best Lentil Recipes
    • Easy High Fiber Meals
    Barley is a healthy whole grain that is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It’s a popular ingredient to add to soups, stews and salads. We’ve collected 13 of the best barley recipes for you to make at home.

    Best Barley Recipes (Easy Barley Soup and More)

    Barley soup is a hearty meal in a bowl! It’s full of tender chunks of beef, barley, and veggies. Serve it with thick slices of crusty bread for a satisfying meal.
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 2 hours
    Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Author: Izzy

    Ingredients 

    • 1 cup pearl barley
    • 2 lbs chuck roast cut into cubes
    • 3 Tbsp olive oil divided
    • 1 1/2 cups chopped carrots
    • 1 cup chopped celery
    • 2 cups chopped onions
    • 3 Tbsp tomato paste
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 32 oz beef broth
    • 1 Tbsp soy sauce
    • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
    • 2 tsp minced fresh rosemary
    • 2 tsp minced fresh thyme
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • 3 Tbsp minced fresh parsley

    Instructions 

    • Heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Pat the beef dry with paper towels and add 1/2 or 1/3 of the beef so the pot is not overcrowded. Season with salt and pepper. Sear the beef for about 3 minutes or until it’s golden brown on the bottom. Flip to the other side and cook for another minute.
    • Transfer the seared beef to a plate along with the juices and repeat with the remaining beef, adding another tablespoon of olive oil to the pot as needed. Transfer the last of the seared beef to the plate.
    • Add another tablespoon of oil to the pot. Add the carrots, celery, and onion and saute for about 3 minutes.
    • Add the tomato paste and garlic and saute for 1 minute.
    • Pour in the broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, and thyme. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Return the beef to the pot.
    • Bring the mixture to a simmer and reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes to an hour, until the beef is fairly tender.
    • Add the barley. Cover and simmer for another 45 minutes to an hour until the beef is tender and the veggies are cooked through.
    • Stir in the parsley and enjoy!
    Author: Izzy
    Tried this recipe?Follow or tag us on Pinterest @izzycooking

    Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: Barley Recipes

    About Izzy

    I'm Izzy, a food lover and photographer. Here you’ll find a collection of simple recipes that are perfect for busy people. My blog aims to help you make and enjoy delicious and healthy food at home.

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    Hi, this is Izzy! On my blog, you will find easy and delicious recipes for the everyday home cook, with easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step photos.

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