Rinse barley under cold water
Add 1 cup barley to a pot
Add 3 cups water or broth
Add a pinch of salt
Bring to a boil
Reduce heat to low
Cover the pot
Simmer pearl barley for 25–30 minutes
Simmer hulled barley for 45–60 minutes
Check for tenderness
Drain excess liquid if needed
Let sit covered for 5 minutes
Fluff with a fork
Serve warm