How to Cook Whole Grains

Whole grains are easy to cook on the stovetop, just as you would cook rice or pasta. I always cook one pound (2½ cups) of whole grains at a time, since they keep well — refrigerated or frozen. Leftovers can be reheated in a microwave or used in salads. I make my own "instant grains" by packaging ½-1 cup portions in baggies and storing them in the freezer. They take a minute or less to thaw in the microwave.

You can ignore the instructions on packages of whole grains and use the chart below instead. The first time you cook a new grain, check them 5-10 minutes before the end of the cooking time to make sure they are not getting mushy. If they aren't tender enough to suit you at the end of the recommended time, cook a little longer. You do not need to rinse or pre-soak whole grains.

Cook grains in bouillon or other flavored liquid; 1 cup bouillon = 1 cup water + 1 bouillon cube or 1 teaspoon bouillon granules, or 1 cup of any other flavored liquid of your choice. If you don't use bouillon that contains salt, be sure to add a little salt to the cooking liquid. Whole grains cooked without salt taste hopelessly flat. Vegetable or chicken flavored bouillon yields neutral-flavored grains that can be used for anything – breakfast cereal, main dishes, salads or desserts.

On the stovetop

Any of the whole grains can be cooked in a pot just as you would cook white rice, but they take longer and will use more liquid. Use a medium-size pot with a tight-fitting lid. Bring the bouillon (see the chart below for amounts) to a boil in the pot, stir in the grains and return to boiling. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot and simmer until the grains are tender and most of the water is absorbed.

You can add raw grains to soups or stews while they cook. My only concern is getting everything done at the same time without overcooking any of the ingredients. Some of my recipes use this method, but most recommend cooking the grains separately. Do whatever seems easiest for you.

Other appliances can be used to cook whole grains; try what you have on hand:

Rice cooker: if you have a rice cooker with a metal container and no timer, you may be able to use it to cook your whole grains, but you will need to experiment. These cookers use a sensor to determine when the liquid has been absorbed. Start with the quantities listed on the steamer chart, below, and add more liquid if your grains come out too hard, less if they are too soft.

Crockpot: Put the quantity of grains and liquid listed on the steamer chart (below) in the crockpot or slow cooker, turn it on and leave it for 6-8 hours.

Microwave: you can cook whole grains in one of the plastic rice steamers specifically designed for microwave use, but I haven't been too pleased with the results. You don't save much time, and you have to stick around to change the power setting and stir midway through the cooking process.  Some of the "instant" or "quick" whole grains (such as quick barley) can be cooked in the microwave, following package directions.

Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker: If you're comfortable using an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, they work just fine for whole grains. Follow the cooking chart below and adjust the cooking times as you would for any other food (usually about half the regular time.)

Chart: Cooking Whole Grains on the Stovetop

Checked 9/5/18