Barley and Herb Salad (Printable)

Nutty pearl barley tossed with fresh herbs and zesty lemon vinaigrette

# What You 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

# How to Make It:

01 - In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil. Add rinsed barley, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes until tender. Drain excess water and allow to cool to room temperature.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled barley with parsley, mint, dill, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
04 - Pour the vinaigrette over the barley mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
05 - Taste the salad and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The combination of pearl barley and fresh herbs provides a satisfying texture and bright flavor profile.
  • A zesty lemon vinaigrette ties the vegetables and grains together for a refreshing finish.
  • With a preparation time of just 15 minutes, it is an easy and accessible recipe for any home cook.
02 -
  • Always check ingredient labels for hidden allergens, particularly since barley contains gluten.
  • Prepare the dressing in a small bowl first to ensure the garlic and mustard are fully integrated before tossing.
  • If serving later, give the salad a quick toss to redistributed the dressing that may have settled at the bottom.
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