Go Back

Barley Porridge

Carol Scheck
A cozy, comforting breakfast porridge- in my opinion, far superior to oatmeal.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Breakfast

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup pearl barley
  • 3 cups water
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt or fine sea salt
  • 1 small cinnamon stick
  • 1/4-1/2 cup whole milk
  • Brown sugar or honey for topping
  • Optional toppings: fruit berries, nuts, nut butters, chocolate chips, raisins

Instructions
 

  • Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add barley, cinnamon stick and a pinch of salt.
  • Cover pot and reduce to medium-low heat, simmering until the barley are puffy and water is nearly all absorbed, about 40 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick.
  • Stir milk into the hot porridge, until it looks a little creamy (but not enough that it gets watery). 
  • Scoop porridge into bowls and top as desired with sugar, fruit, nuts, cream or other toppings.
  • Alternatively, you can stir sugar, honey or maple syrup directly into the porridge for a more even sweetening. I don't find that it needs a lot of sugar, but I do love a little brown sugar as a topping!
  • Enjoy this hearty porridge fresh! 

Notes

Substitute the whole milk for the milk of your choice, and feel free to top with more half and half or heavy cream!
You can swap out the pearl barley for hulled barley, if you like: however, hulled barley will need to be soaked before cooking.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!