Barley and Corn Relish

Brighten up your table with this vibrant and wholesome Barley and Corn Relish—a perfect balance of chewy pearl barley, sweet corn kernels, and crisp vegetables like red bell pepper and cherry tomatoes. Tossed in a zesty dressing of olive oil, red wine vinegar, and a hint of honey, this dish combines bold, fresh flavors with a subtle kick of ground cumin. Whether served chilled or at room temperature, this healthy and nutrient-packed relish makes a delightful side dish or topping for grilled meats or fish. Ready in under an hour, it’s an easy, crowd-pleasing option for picnics, barbecues, or weeknight dinners. Optimize your menu with this versatile, fiber-rich recipe today!

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup pearl barley
• 4 cups water
• 1.5 cups sweet corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 0.5 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the pearl barley under cold water until the water runs clear.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the barley with 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until the barley is tender but still slightly chewy. Drain any excess water and allow the barley to cool.

Step 3

If using fresh corn, boil the kernels in salted water for 3-4 minutes, then drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. If using frozen corn, thaw it completely. If using canned corn, drain and rinse thoroughly.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled barley, corn, diced red bell pepper, chopped red onion, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped parsley.

Step 5

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.

Step 6

Pour the dressing over the barley mixture and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.

Step 7

Taste the relish and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or vinegar if needed.

Step 8

Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.

Step 9

Serve chilled or at room temperature as a side dish or topping for grilled meats or fish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2015.8 grams (2015.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1555

Total Fat 50.00g	64%
Saturated Fat 7.80g	39%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1334mg	58%
Total Carbohydrate 258.60g	94%
Dietary Fiber 48.20g	172%
Total Sugars 52.60g
Protein 35.80g	72%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 330mg	25%
Iron 13mg	71%
Potassium 2798mg	60%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 27.6%

Protein: 8.8%

Carbs: 63.6%