Barley and Herb Salad (Printable)

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

01 - In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil. Add pearl 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 extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
04 - Pour the dressing over the barley mixture and toss gently until well combined.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • High in Fiber: Pearl barley provides a satisfying texture and slow-burning energy.
  • Herbaceous & Bright: The combination of fresh dill, mint, and parsley creates a garden-fresh aroma.
  • Meal Prep Friendly: This salad holds up beautifully in the fridge without getting soggy.
  • Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples and fresh produce for a clean, vegetarian meal.
02 -
  • Rinse Well: Always rinse the pearl barley under cold water before cooking to remove excess starch.
  • Emulsify: Whisk the dressing vigorously so the oil and lemon juice don't separate, ensuring a smooth coating.
  • Seasoning: Barley absorbs salt as it sits, so do a final taste test right before serving to see if it needs an extra pinch.
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