Barley and Herb Salad (Printer-Friendly)

Nutty pearl barley tossed with fresh herbs and zesty lemon dressing for a refreshing Mediterranean-style dish.

# 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

# How To Make It:

01 - Bring water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add barley, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25–30 minutes until tender. Drain any 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 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
04 - Pour the dressing over the barley mixture and toss gently to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The barley stays perfectly chewy for days, making it ideal for meal prep without getting soggy
  • Fresh herbs transform humble grains into something that feels restaurant-worthy but costs pennies
02 -
  • Barley continues absorbing liquid as it sits, so the salad might need a splash more olive oil or lemon juice the next day
  • The raw garlic flavor will mellow significantly after a few hours in the fridge, so don't be alarmed if it seems sharp initially
03 -
  • Toasting the barley in a dry pan for 2 to 3 minutes before adding water adds a deeper, nuttier flavor
  • Salting the barley's cooking water generously ensures the grains are flavorful throughout, not just on the surface
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