Barley and Herb Salad (Printable)

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

# 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

# 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 any excess water and let cool to room temperature.
02 - Combine cooled barley, parsley, mint, dill, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber in a large mixing bowl.
03 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until fully emulsified.
04 - Pour dressing over barley mixture and toss gently to coat evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The barley gives you that satisfying, filling texture without weighing you down like pasta salads sometimes do
  • You can make it ahead and it actually tastes better after the flavors hang out together for a while
02 -
  • The salad needs at least 30 minutes in the fridge after dressing to let the barley soak up all those flavors
  • Don't be afraid to add more herbs than the recipe calls for they wilt down and the salad can handle a generous hand
03 -
  • Make extra dressing and store it separately since the barley will soak up quite a bit as it sits
  • If making ahead, keep the tomatoes separate and add them just before serving so they don't get watery
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