How To Cook Barley In Instant Pot
Learn how to cook barley perfectly with your pressure cooker in just a few steps. Get ready for the easiest way to make chewy, delicious barley!
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time35 minutes mins
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, World wide
Diet: Vegan
Allergen: Dairy free, Soy free
Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 6
Calories: 235kcal
Place the barley in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold water for a few seconds to remove any dust or debris.
Mix the pearl barley with 4 cups of water or broth, and a pinch of salt (if using) in the inner pot.
2 cup pearl barley, 4 cup water, salt to taste
Close the lid and make sure the valve is set to "Sealing."
Set the Instant Pot to manual or pressure cook mode for 20 minutes on high pressure.
Once the timer goes off, allow for a natural release of pressure for at least 10 minutes before using the quick release option to relieve the remaining pressure.
Open the lid carefully and fluff the barley with a fork. I like to let it sit for a few minutes before serving to allow any excess moisture to be absorbed.
Enjoy perfectly cooked barley after it cools down to room temperature.
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- For added flavor, try toasting the barley in a pot with a teaspoon of olive oil for a few minutes before cooking. This will enhance its nutty taste.
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- Don't skip the rinsing step, as it removes any impurities and results in cleaner grains.
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- Experiment with different liquid ratios. More water or broth will result in softer, more tender grains, while less will yield a chewy texture.
Variations
- Hulled barley is the whole grain form of barley and takes longer to cook. Follow the same steps, but increase the ratio of water. Add half a cup more and increase the cooking time to 25 minutes.
- You can customize your barley by adding herbs, spices, or aromatics like garlic and onion to the pot before cooking.
Calories: 235kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 187mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 2mg