Lemony Vegetable Barley Salad
Bright, refreshing, and bursting with Mediterranean-inspired flavors, this Lemony Vegetable Barley Salad is the ultimate wholesome dish for any occasion. Nutty pearl barley forms the hearty base, perfectly complemented by crisp cucumbers, sweet cherry tomatoes, and vibrant red bell peppers. Fresh herbs like parsley and mint infuse the salad with aromatic freshness, while a zesty lemon-garlic dressing ties it all together. Ready in under an hour, this fiber-packed, plant-based salad is perfect as a light main dish or a colorful side for summer gatherings. Serve it chilled or at room temperature and watch it become a crowd favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Pearl barley
- 3 cups Water
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium Cucumber
- 1 Red bell pepper
- 0.5 Red onion
- 0.25 cup, chopped Fresh parsley
- 0.25 cup, chopped Fresh mint
- 3 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 clove, minced Garlic
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
Rinse the pearl barley under cold water to remove excess starch.
In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed barley and 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until the barley is tender but still chewy.
Drain any excess water from the cooked barley and let it cool completely.
While the barley is cooling, prepare the vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion into small pieces. Chop the parsley and mint finely.
In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled barley, chopped vegetables, parsley, and mint.
Pour the lemon dressing over the barley mixture and toss until everything is well coated.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if necessary.
Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Serve chilled or at room temperature as a light meal or a flavorful side dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
635 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 29.2 g | 37% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.4 g | 22% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1045 mg | 45% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 89.3 g | 32% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.4 g | 59% | |
| Total Sugars | 17.4 g | ||
| Protein | 10.7 g | 21% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 262 mg | 20% | |
| Iron | 7.2 mg | 40% | |
| Potassium | 1443 mg | 31% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
