Barley and Herb Salad (Printable Version)

Nutty pearl barley tossed with fresh herbs and zesty lemon vinaigrette for a light Mediterranean meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
02 - 3 cups water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Herbs & Vegetables

04 - 1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
05 - 1/4 cup fresh mint, finely chopped
06 - 1/4 cup fresh dill, finely chopped
07 - 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
08 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
09 - 1 small cucumber, diced

→ Dressing

10 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
12 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
13 - 1 garlic clove, minced
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
15 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Method:

01 - In a medium saucepan, bring water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil. Add barley, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25–30 minutes until tender. Drain excess water and cool to room temperature.
02 - In a large bowl, combine cooled barley, parsley, mint, dill, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
04 - Pour the dressing over the barley mixture and toss gently to combine.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The combination of pearl barley and fresh herbs provides a delightful mix of chewy and crisp textures.
  • It is incredibly easy to prepare and can be served either chilled or at room temperature.
  • The zesty lemon dressing adds a bright, citrusy finish that balances the earthy grains.
  • It is a wholesome, vegetarian-friendly option that keeps well for meal prep.
02 -
  • Whisk the dressing until it is fully emulsified to ensure it coats the barley and vegetables evenly.
  • Finely dice the red onion and cucumber to ensure you get a bit of everything in every spoonful.
  • Always taste the finished salad before serving to adjust the salt and pepper to your preference.
Return