Step 1

Stovetop Absorption Method

Step 3

Place the barley into a saucepan. Add the water and a pinch of salt.

Step 5

Over medium-high heat, bring the water to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook.

Step 7

Cooking time for pearl barley is around 35 minutes and for pot barley around 50 minutes.

Step 9

Turn off the heat, stir the barley, cover the saucepan and let it stand for another 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 12

Stovetop Pilaf Method

Step 14

Heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook stirring ocasionally until onion is translucent for about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant for about 30 seconds.

Step 16

Add the barley and stir until the grains are coated with oil and warmed up, for about 2 minutes.

Step 18

Add the herbs, water or stock and season with salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook.

Step 20

Cooking time for pearl barley is around 35 minutes and for pot barley around 50 minutes.

Step 22

Turn off the heat, stir the barley, cover the saucepan and let it stand for another 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 25

Oven-Baked Barley

Step 27

Preheat the oven to 375F.

Step 29

Place the barley into a baking dish with a high rim. Add the hot water or stock and a pinch of salt.

Step 31

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place it in the oven. Bake the pearl barley for 35 minutes and pot barley for 50 minutes.

Step 33

Take the baking dish out of the oven. Remove the foil and stir the barley.

Step 35

Turn off the oven. Place the foil back on the baking dish and put it into the oven for another 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 38

Instant Pot Fluffy Barley

Step 40

Place the barley, water, and salt into the Instant Pot. Make sure the sealing ring is in place. Close the lid shut. Turn the nob to the sealing position.

Step 42

Cook pearl barley on high pressure for 20 minutes or cook pot barley on high pressure for 25 minutes.

Step 44

Quick-release according to the safety instruction of the manual.

Step 46

Carefully open the lid. Dump the condensation water that accumulated on the lid into the sink. Stir the barley. Close the lid again and let it sit for about 5 to 10 more minutes.

Step 49

Instant Pot Creamy Barley

Step 51

Add the barley, water, and salt into the Instant Pot. Make sure the sealing ring is in place. Close the lid shut. Turn the nob to the sealing position. Turn on the Keep Warm function.

Step 53

Cook pearl barley on high pressure for 20 minutes or cook pot barley on high pressure for 25 minutes.

Step 55

Natural pressure release until pin drops (takes about 25 minutes).

Step 57

Carefully open the lid. Dump the condensation water that accumulated on the lid into the sink. Stir the barley. Close the lid and let it sit for another 5 to 10 minutes.