Barley and Herb Salad (Printable)

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

# 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

# How-To:

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

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The combination of pearl barley and fresh herbs creates a satisfying, nutrient-dense meal.
  • It is incredibly easy to prepare with simple, fresh ingredients.
  • The zesty lemon vinaigrette provides a clean, vibrant flavor profile.
02 -
  • This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, making it an ideal choice for meal prep.
  • Finely dicing the red onion and cucumber ensures that the flavors are evenly distributed throughout the salad.
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