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The 8 Best Substitutes For Pearl Barley

Pearl barley is a versatile grain that can be used in a variety of dishes.

It has a nutty flavor and chewy texture, making it an ideal addition to soups, salads, stews, and more.

Unfortunately, pearl barley isn’t always easy to find or affordable for everyone.

If you’re in need of a substitute for pearl barley, there are several options available.

From quinoa to farro and wheat berries to spelt grains – this article will explore the 8 best substitutes for pearl barley so you can still enjoy your favorite recipes without breaking the bank!

What is Pearl Barley?

Pearled Barley
Source: fromthecomfortofmybowl.com

Pearl barley is a type of hulled barley, which is a cereal grain.

It’s typically used in soups and stews, but also works great as a side dish or as an ingredient in salads.

Pearl barley has had its outer husk removed and the inner bran layer polished away.

This process gives it its signature pearl-like appearance and makes it cook much faster than regular, unprocessed barley grains.

It has a chewy texture when cooked, somewhat like that of al dente pasta with the added bonus of being high in dietary fiber.

Pearl barley can be used interchangeably with other forms of whole-grain barleys such as pot or Scotch barleys depending on what you’re cooking up!

The 8 Best Substitutes For Pearl Barley

Pearl barley is a versatile and nutritious grain, but it can be hard to find in some places.

If you’re looking for an alternative, here are eight substitutes that will still give you the same benefits:

1 – Farro

Farro
Source: The Spruce Eats / Lindsay Kreighbaum

Farro is an ancient grain with a nutty flavor and chewy texture.

It is high in fiber, protein, and essential minerals like iron and magnesium.

Farro can be cooked similarly to pearl barley but requires less cooking time since it has been partially pre-cooked.

It’s also more versatile than pearl barley since it can be used in salads, soups, risottos, or as a side dish.

For those looking for a healthier alternative to pearl barley, farro makes an excellent choice as its nutritional content is higher than that of other grains such as rice or quinoa.

Its unique flavor profile adds complexity to dishes while its chewy texture provides a pleasant contrast to softer ingredients like vegetables or legumes.

2 – Quinoa

Quinoa
Source: loveandlemons.com

Quinoa is a nutritious and versatile grain that can be used in place of pearl barley.

It has a mild, nutty flavor and chewy texture that makes it perfect for salads, soups, pilafs, or as a side dish.

Quinoa is high in protein and contains all nine essential amino acids.

It’s also rich in fiber, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and B vitamins.

Unlike pearl barley which needs to be boiled before cooking with it, quinoa only requires rinsing before use.

It cooks quickly too – just 15 minutes on the stovetop!

Quinoa can also be cooked in the microwave or even steamed like rice.

Whether you’re looking to add more nutrition to your diet or simply want something different from pearl barley, quinoa is an excellent choice!

3 – Couscous

Couscous
Source: onceuponachef.com

Couscous is a small, round grain made from semolina flour that’s popular in North African and Middle Eastern cuisine.

It has a light, fluffy texture and nutty flavor that makes it perfect for salads, soups, and side dishes.

Unlike pearl barley which needs to be boiled for an extended period of time to become tender, couscous can be cooked in just five minutes.

The grains are also much smaller than those of pearl barley so they absorb more liquid quickly.

For a flavorful substitution for pearl barley, try using couscous in your favorite recipes.

It’s great as an accompaniment to stews or tossed with vegetables and herbs for a hearty salad.

4 – Bulgur Wheat

Bulgur Wheat
Source: themediterraneandish.com

Bulgur wheat is a whole grain that’s been partially cooked, dried, and cracked.

It has a nutty flavor and chewy texture that makes it ideal for salads, pilafs, stuffing, and more.

Bulgur wheat is high in fiber and protein but low in fat.

It also contains essential vitamins and minerals.

When substituting bulgur wheat for pearl barley in recipes such as soups or stews you may need to adjust the cooking time since bulgur cooks faster than pearl barley.

For best results use one part bulgur to two parts liquid when preparing dishes like tabbouleh or kibbeh.

Bulgur can also be used to replace rice or couscous in recipes for an extra boost of nutrition!

5 – Brown Rice

Brown rice

Brown rice is a versatile whole grain that can be used in a variety of dishes.

It has a nutty flavor and chewy texture, making it an excellent substitute for pearl barley in soups and stews.

Brown rice is higher in fiber than white rice, which helps to promote digestive health.

It also contains essential vitamins and minerals.

When using brown rice instead of pearl barley, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Brown rice typically takes about 45 minutes to cook on the stovetop or 20 minutes with a pressure cooker.

You can also try adding flavorful ingredients like herbs or spices to enhance its taste even further!

6 – Millet

Millet

Millet is a tiny, round grain that has been cultivated for thousands of years.

It is gluten-free and rich in nutrients like protein, fiber, iron, magnesium, and zinc.

Millet can be cooked similarly to pearl barley – it takes about 15 minutes to simmer until tender.

The flavor is mild and slightly sweet with a nutty undertone.

It also has a fluffy texture that makes it great for side dishes or as an alternative to rice or couscous.

Millet can also be used in baking recipes such as breads or muffins for added nutrition and texture.

It’s even delicious when served cold as part of salads or pilafs!

Try using millet the next time you’re out of pearl barley – you won’t regret it!

7 – Oats

Oats

Oats are a versatile and nutritious grain that can be used in many recipes.

They have a mild, nutty flavor and chewy texture, making them ideal for baking into breads, muffins, cookies, or granola bars.

Oats can also be cooked into porridge or added to soups and stews to provide additional texture and flavor.

When substituting oats for pearl barley in cooking dishes, it is important to remember that they will cook more quickly than barley due to their smaller size.

For best results, reduce the amount of liquid used by about half when preparing oatmeal-based dishes as oats absorb more moisture than pearl barley does.

Overall, oats are an excellent alternative if you’re out of pearl barley!

8 – Sorghum

Sorghum

Sorghum is a cereal grain that has been cultivated for thousands of years.

It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in place of pearl barley in many recipes.

Sorghum has a mild, nutty flavor and chewy texture, making it an ideal substitute for pearled barley.

It can be cooked like rice or added to soups and stews.

It also makes an excellent addition to salads and pilafs.

When using sorghum as a replacement for pearl barley, you may need to adjust the cooking time as it takes longer than other grains to cook through.

Sorghum is an excellent source of dietary fiber and essential minerals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when looking for a substitute for pearl barley, there are many options available that can provide a tasty and nutritious alternative.

These substitutes include farro, quinoa, couscous, bulgur wheat, brown rice, millet, oats, and sorghum.

All of these grains offer similar nutritional benefits and can be used in a variety of recipes.

When substituting one of these grains for pearl barley, make sure to adjust the cooking time and liquid ratio as needed.

Pearled Barley

The 8 Best Substitutes For Pearl Barley

If you're out of pearl barley or looking to switch up your recipes, I'm here to help! In this article, I'm sharing 8 of the best substitutes for pearl barley. From quinoa and millet to farro and wild rice, I'll discuss the different flavors and textures of each one, as well as how to incorporate them into your favorite recipes. Whether you're looking for something more health-conscious or more flavorful, you're sure to find something here to add variety to your kitchen.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Substitutes
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 365 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Farro
  • Quinoa
  • Couscous
  • Bulgur Wheat
  • Brown Rice
  • Millet
  • Oats
  • Sorghum

Instructions
 

  • Pick your favorite substitute from the list above.
  • Follow cooking directions for your selected substitute with the proper ratio of ingredients.
CEO at Happy Muncher | benjamin@happymuncher.com | Website | + posts

Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.