How To Cook Hulled Barley (5 Easy Steps)

There is a saying that “if you want to get your right dose of fiber, eat hulled barley.”

This whole grain is incredibly nutrient-dense. And guess what? Today, I will teach you how to cook hulled barley in just five simple-to-follow steps.

I know many of you think it will be challenging, probably because it takes time to cook.

But funnily enough, it’s a lot easier than you thought if it’s your first time, considering the grain tolerates mistakes, yet it tastes terrific.

So without any further ado, let’s jump right into it!

What Is Hulled Barely?

Hulled barley is a deliciously versatile cereal grain with a flavor reminiscent of nuts and a chewy and pasta-like texture.

The mild, slightly nutty flavor makes it a versatile grain. It can be used in various ways because it won’t dominate other flavors.

Also, barley comes in various shapes and sizes in flaked, hulled, and pearled forms. Both pre-packaged and bulk quantities of it are offered.

Its appearance resembles wheat berries, although its color is a little lighter.

And barley’s nutritional reputation is based on its potent flavor and its excellent source of phosphorus, copper, manganese, selenium, and fiber.

How Long To Cook Hulled Barley

It’s important to note that the barley you choose will affect how long it takes to cook.

Hulled barley is much thicker than whole-grain barley, so it should be cooked longer than the quick-cooking variety.

However, 50-55 minutes should be enough to get hulled barley to tender.

And if you can stay a bit longer, I’ll show you some of my cooking tricks for your hulled barley.

How To Cook Hulled Barley (The Complete Guide)

Ingredients

The following is what you’ll need for this recipe:

Hulled Barley: The main ingredients for this dish
Onions: A vital component that gives a good taste and completes the meal.
Celery: Cut and cooked with cabbage to improve its taste.
Bay leaf: Gives the Barely extra spicy flavor.
Water: Helps mix all the ingredients evenly.
Salt: For seasoning the Barely.

Step 1

To accelerate the cooking process, you must first soak the barley.

Soak a cup of barley in 2 cups of water for the entire night In any container of your choice. But for the best result, do it in a closed container in the refrigerator.

Before cooking, drain and rinse the barley.

Step 2

Next is to prepare the ingredients by slicing the onions and chopping the celery and the bay leaf.

Step 3

Rinse barely in clean water and add the ingredients to a saucepan.

Then, boil over high heat (monitor it, as it will foam up quickly once it’s boiling).

Step 4

Reduce the heat to a slow simmer once the water reaches a boil, then cover. It takes at least forty minutes to hull barley.

At these intervals and every 5 minutes, check the water level for doneness.

If extra water or broth is required, just do so.

Step 5

Turn off the heat, cover it, and let the pot stand for ten minutes.

If there is a lot, you might need to drain any excess water after the barley is finished.

Then, fluff with a fork and serve.

Tah-Dah! Your hulled barley is ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Is Barely Grown?

Barely grown in over 100 countries. It is the fourth-largest grain crop in the world, and Russia produces the most. Next in line is Germany before France and Ukraine —and the list continues.

Aside from being amongst the most famous grain, it is incredibly versatile.

It is widely used in the production of alcohol, human consumption, animal feed, added into a favorite soup, salad, or pilaf, used to make hot cereal, and many more.

Where Is Barely In The Grocery Store?

Are you in the grocery store and wondering where to find barely? You can find barely in the grain aisle of the grocery store.

Check the cereal section if you can’t find it in the grain aisle. Or better still, ask any employee.

How Can You Preserve The Barely?

Although grains are perishable like many other foods, they typically have a much longer shelf life than most foods.

It is always ideal to purchase adequately packaged and tightly sealed grains to guarantee optimum freshness and shelf life.

The easiest way to preserve grain for home storage is to keep it sealed in cans with tight-fitting lids, particularly when the can of grain is kept in a cool, dry, and dark place.

A sealed container is crucial to preserve freshness and reduce infestations.

How Do You Keep Barely From Getting Mushy?

Don’t cook it for too long. However, barely can get mushy if left in the water after being cooked. Remove any extra water right away.

The remaining heat will allow warm barley stacked in a bowl to soften. The best thing to do is to lay it out on a plate or sheet pan and swiftly chill it in the fridge.

What’s The Best Place To Buy Barley?

When it comes to buying barley, you have a few options. You can go to your local grocery store and buy a bag of barley or order online from an online retailer.

If you’re looking for the best price on barley, you’ll want to check out your local grocery store first. Grocery stores typically carry any bag of barley.

However, an online retailer is the better option if you don’t live near a grocery store because they usually offer higher quality products at lower prices than grocery stores.

Besides, buying online means there will be no hassle traveling to pick up your order—you can just sit at home and place an order without leaving your house!

Conclusion

Now you know how to cook hulled barley; the ball is in your cut.

And you will soon discover anything hulled barley touches turns heavenly.

First, cooking hulled barley will transform its texture from sandy and grainy to chewy and hearty.

Plus, its flavor will become more complex, flinty, and nutty. When you add barley to soup, it becomes a one-pot vegan and gluten-free meal.

Adding it to any recipe needing liquid, like stews and casseroles, provides extra fiber and protein.

More importantly, it is inexpensive, and there are countless uses for this healthy grain.

So why not think beyond the box to create exciting matches?

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