Pearl Barley vs Orzo
A side-by-side guide to substituting Orzo for Pearl Barley (or vice versa).
Use 0.75 cup of Orzo for every 1 cup of Pearl Barley.
Side-by-side
Orzo
Conversion: Use 75% as much (0.75 cup per 1 cup)
Tags: budget
Notes: Pasta shape cooks much faster (10–15 min). Works in soups and salads but lacks barley's chewy texture.
Read the full guide: Orzo
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Pasta shape cooks much faster (10–15 min). Works in soups and salads but lacks barley's chewy texture. The conversion is use 75% as much (0.75 cup per 1 cup).
Common questions
Yes — Pasta shape cooks much faster (10–15 min). Works in soups and salads but lacks barley's chewy texture. Ratio: Use 75% as much (0.75 cup per 1 cup).
Use 75% as much (0.75 cup per 1 cup). For other quantities, use the SubSwap calculator.
They are similar in most uses, but Pasta shape cooks much faster (10–15 min)..
Orzo is one of the options SubSwap lists for Pearl Barley. The 'best' choice depends on your recipe — see the full list of Pearl Barley substitutes.
Looking for more Pearl Barley substitutes beyond Orzo?
See all Pearl Barley swaps →