How long do you soak pearl barley?

Soaking pearl barley is not strictly necessary, but if you choose to do so, soaking it for about 6 to 8 hours or overnight can help reduce cooking time and improve its texture. If you're in a hurry, you can skip soaking and simply rinse the barley before cooking. When cooking, pearl barley typically takes about 30 to 40 minutes to become tender.