This simple Instant Pot barley takes only a few minutes to put together. This versatile side dish can be easily used in place of rice. It's an easy and tasty side dish!
The Instant Pot is a great tool to speed up cooking time. Love using your Instant Pot? Check out my zesty collard greens, flavorful vegan jambalaya, simple buckwheat, and my Mexican-style vegan pinto beans recipes which are made easily in the Instant Pot.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Nutritious: Barley is a great way to get your protein and fiber and a delicious substitute for rice.
- Quick and easy: This barley side dish takes only a few minutes to put together. Using an instant pot speeds up the cooking time as well.
- Versatile: Use it as a tasty side dish or in any recipe that calls for cooked barley.
What is Barley?
Barley is a cereal grain that has a chewy texture and a bit of a nutty flavor. It is a whole grain with a high amount of fiber. It's also a great source of protein and some vitamins and minerals. It can be used as a side dish, in soups in stews, in breads and more.
Hulled Barley vs. Pearl Barley
There are two different types of barley, hulled and pearl. Hulled barley goes through less processing than pearl barley. Hulled barley has only the indigestible outer hull removed. Pearl barley has both the outer husk and the bran removed.
Uses for Barley
Barley is a super versatile grain. It makes a great substitute for brown rice. Some tasty uses for barley are:
- in a hearty soup or stew
- as a simple side dish
- in grain bowls
- barley salad
- barley risotto
Ingredient Notes
- Pearl barley - You can make it with hulled barley as well. Recipe using hulled is below.
- Vegetable broth - Homemade broth or packaged. You can substitute 4 cups of water for the broth if needed but this will just give it less flavor.
Please see the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and amounts needed.
How To Make Instant Pot Barley
Using an instant pot is the easiest way to make barley. This recipe only takes a few minutes to put together.
1. To start, rinse the barley using a mesh strainer. Pour the rinsed pearly barley into the instant pot.
2. Add the vegetable broth, bay leaf, salt and black pepper and stir.
3. Set the instant pot to high pressure and cook for 20 minutes.
4. Let the instant pot naturally release the steam for about 15 minutes. You can also do a quick release if you are short on time.
5. Open the instant pot, remove the bay leaf, fluff with a fork and serve.
Storage Tips
Refrigerator
Leftover cooked barley can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make sure it is cooled before putting in the fridge.
Freezer
You can also freeze cooked barley. It's a great way to have this nutritious grain available for future meals. Once cooled, divide the barley into airtight containers or freezer bags. This makes it easier to reuse than if you freeze a large amount of barley. Freeze for up to 6 months.
Reheat
When you're ready to use it, simply remove the desired portion from the freezer and reheat it in the microwave, on the stovetop, or by adding it directly to soups or stews.
Hulled Barley Recipe
This recipe is for pearled barley, but with a few simple changes it can work for hulled barley as well. If you're using hulled barley, increase the amount of broth to 5 cups. You will also need to cook for 25 minutes instead of 20.
Simply, the broth or water ratio of pearl barley is 2 cups per 1 cup of barley. For hulled barley, the ratio of water or vegetable stock is 2.5 cups per 1 cup of barley. The cooking time also increases by 5 minutes for hulled barley.
If cooking on a stove top, hulled barley can take a long time to cook - 45 minutes to an hour. Using an instant pot takes much less time at around 25 minutes. You'll know the barley is done when the barley grains swell to about 3x their original size.
Recipe FAQs
Sure. I try to say away from added oils if it's not necessary to a recipe. But if you'd like to add some in I would recommend 1-2 tablespoons.
Yes. You can use all water or a combination of broth and water. The barley will be less flavorful but will still be good. If you are using it as a stand-alone side dish, I recommend using a flavorful broth.
Side Dish Recipes
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Recipe
Simple Instant Pot Barley (Pearl or Hulled, and Vegan)
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 2 cups pearl barley
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- First, give the barley a quick rinse using a strainer and add it to the instant pot.
- Add the vegetable broth, bay leaf, salt and pepper to the barley and stir.
- Set the instant pot to high pressure and cook for 20 minutes.
- Let it naturally release the steam for about 15 minutes. Or you can also do a quick release if you're short on time.
- Remove the bay leaf and add seasoning to taste. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Rinsing the barley before cooking ensures there's no dust or debris.
- The instant pot takes additional time to heat up as well as release the steam. So while the cooking time is only 20 minutes, start to finish it will take longer.
Jen says
I usually use broth (not water) as I mostly make this as a stand alone side dish. It’s just as tasty as rice but healthier.