Creamy Barley Breakfast Porridge (2024)

Looking something cozy and nourishing for breakfast that is a change from the basic bowl of oatmeal? This Creamy Barley Breakfast Porridge is just the thing...hearty pearl barley is briefly toasted in butter and then simmered in a mixture of water, milk, cinnamon and vanilla until creamy and tender. Finished with just the right amount of brown sugar, this nutritious, homey breakfast is sure to become a new favorite.

It's like a warm hug to start your day!

And best of all, this comforting bowl of goodness is easy to prepare and can even be made ahead of time. Just reheat, top and enjoy.

Why This Recipe Works

• It's made with delicious and nutrient-rich pearl barley which becomes exceptionally creamy when simmered in a mixture of milk and water.
• The barley grains are toasted in butter briefly for extra flavor and richness.
• This porridge is simply flavored with vanilla, cinnamon and brown sugar....all the cozy basics.
• It only takes 40 minutes to cook (mostly hands off with an occasional stir here and there) but can also be made ahead for busy weekday mornings.

What Makes This Recipe Nordic/Scandinavian?

Barley has been an important crop in Scandinavia since the stone age. It was ground into flour to make bread, cooked to make porridge and malted to be used in the beer making process. It was (and still is) commonly used as food for livestock. Although its popularity as a bread flour waned as wheat became more available, barley is currently enjoying a bit of a renaissance. The New Nordic Cuisine movement has brought a fresh perspective to this ancient grain, highlighting its healthful properties and various culinary uses.

The Ingredients

• This recipe calls for pearl barley (sometimes called medium barley). Barley comes in several different forms and they all have different cooking times. See the FAQs below for a more detailed discussion of the differences between hulled, pearl and instant barley.
• Toasting the barley in a small amount of butter really brings out the toasty, nutty flavor of the grains and makes for a richer porridge over all. It is a short step worth taking! Want to make this recipe vegan? Simply use a vegan butter or coconut oil in place of the butter. Or you can skip the toasting step altogether.
• A combination of water and milk creates a creamy (but not too creamy) base for this porridge. And yes, you can absolutely use a plant-based milk in this recipe!
• Ground cinnamon and vanilla provide the cozy flavor for this comforting porridge, and brown sugar brings just the right amount of sweetness.

How To Make This Recipe

• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the barley and cook, stirring frequently, until the barley becomes toasty and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
• Add the water, milk, cinnamon, vanilla and salt. Stir to combine. Allow the mixture to come to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thick and creamy and the barley is tender, about 40 minutes. If the porridge is getting too dry or sticking to the bottom if the pan as it cooks, add a little more water.

• Add the brown sugar and stir to combine. Season to taste with salt and more sugar if necessary. Add an additional splash or two of water if the porridge seems dry.
• Spoon into bowls, add any desired toppings and serve!

Expert Tips

• Be sure to usepearl barley(also sometimes labeled medium barley) unless you plan to adjust the cooking times and the amount of liquid in the recipe.
• Don't skip the toasting step! It adds wonderful toasty flavor and an overall richness to the final porridge.
• Stir occasionally as the porridge cooks. This will help it cook evenly and keep it from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.
• Add additional water as necessary if the porridge is looking too dry or sticking to the bottom of the pan. I will often add a splash or two of water at the end of the cooking time to loosen it up and give it the creamy consistency I'm looking for.

FAQs

Suggest Toppings for Barley Porridge

I love mine with lingonberry preserves and skyr (Icelandic yogurt) or Greek yogurt (see picture above). But the topping options here are truly endless. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Sliced bananas and toasted walnuts
• Cubed crisp apples, dried cranberries, toasted hazelnuts and drizzle of maple syrup
• Sliced ripe pears, toasted almonds and a drizzle of honey
• Quartered fresh strawberries (tossed in a little brown sugar) and a dollop of sour cream
• Sliced ripe peaches and a spoonful of creme fraiche
• Homemade blueberry or pear compote and skyr or Greek yogurt

Looking for more delicious barley recipes? I've got several here on the blog. Here are a few of my favorites:

If you loved this recipe, give it a star review! Also, snap a picture of your Creamy Barley Breakfast Porridge and share it with me onInstagramusing the hashtag #truenorthkitchen and tagging me @true_north_kitchen.

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