Barley and Herb Salad (Print)

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

# Ingredients:

→ 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

# Directions:

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 excess water and let cool completely to room temperature.
02 - In a large bowl, combine cooled barley with parsley, mint, dill, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber. Mix gently to distribute evenly.
03 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until fully emulsified and thickened.
04 - Pour vinaigrette over barley mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients thoroughly.
05 - Taste and adjust salt or pepper as needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The barley gives it satisfying heft while still feeling light and fresh
  • It actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep
  • The herb trio creates this bright, aromatic flavor that wakes up your whole palate
02 -
  • Letting the barley cool completely before mixing with herbs prevents the fresh greens from turning dark and sad
  • The salad needs at least 15 minutes of resting time for the dressing to penetrate the grains properly
  • Barley continues absorbing liquid as it sits, so add an extra splash of oil or lemon before serving leftovers
03 -
  • Toasting the barley in a dry pan for 3 minutes before adding water adds a subtle nutty depth
  • If your red onion tastes too sharp, soak the diced pieces in ice water for 10 minutes then drain
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