How To Cook Pearl Barley In a Rice Cooker

Cook your pearl barley in a rice cooker for an easy and healthy food prep ingredient. Store in the fridge or freeze for later use. Add your favorite broth, herbs and spices to level up this healthy grain that you need in your life right now.

What is pearled Barley?

Pearled barley is a whole grain that has had the tough outer hull removed. It does retain some of the wheat germ. It takes 25-30 minutes to cook on the stove-top but today I am cooking it in a rice cooker.

The liquid ratio is the same as the stove-top method. You can use either water or broth. I used broth along with a dollop of fermented bean paste known as Doenjang for extra flavor.

What Is The Difference Between Hulled Barley and Pearled Barley?

Hulled barley has had the tough hull removed but still has the germ which is full of vitamins and minerals. It is considered a whole grain and is even healthier than pearled barley. It is nuttier and chewier too. It absorbs less water and takes about 20 minutes longer to cook than pearled.

Hulled barley would be great in wraps, stir-fry or in salads. Hulled barley is also known by the terms of pot barley, scotch barley and barley groats.

Add Pearled Barley To A Salad

Barley adds some nice chewy texture to a crunchy salad. Just add a little to any of your favorite salads for a nutty addition.

Make A Soup Out Of It

You can make a quick soup with some canned beans and your favorite broth for a healthy lunch alternative. Simply add some cooked barley to a simmering pot of broth and beans. Add some easy heft with the addition of leftover or canned meat.

Barley is pretty versatile and easy to make. It keeps well in the fridge for a few days. These traits really make it ideal for food prepping on the weekends in order to have easy weekday or weeknight meals. You know, when you might be too busy or too tired to cook much.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BARLEY

1. WILL BARLEY SPIKE MY BLOOD SUGAR? – Hulled barley has a low glycemic index which means sugar is released slowly into the blood stream. Pearled barley has a glycemic index of around 35 which is medium. Hulled barley is healthier but pearled barley is still a good choice for most people.
2. DOES BARLEY CONTAIN GLUTEN? – Yes.
3. IS BARLEY HEALTHY? – Both pearled and hulled barley contain many nutrients and has a good amount of soluble fiber. Hulled barley contains more nutrients and is considered even healthier than pearled barley.

Want to try new grains or how to cook more foods in your rice cooker? Check out the How to Cook Quinoa article to get answers to your hot burning questions.

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RESOURCES

1. WIKIPEDIA
2. DEFEAT DIABETES