Herbed Barley Salad

Elevate your salad game with this vibrant and nutritious Herbed Barley Salad, a wholesome blend of tender pearl barley, crunchy cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, and finely chopped red onion. Fresh parsley and mint bring a burst of herbal freshness, perfectly balanced by a zesty lemon vinaigrette sweetened with a touch of honey. Optional crumbled feta adds a creamy, salty kick for an extra layer of flavor. This easy-to-make dish, ready in just 45 minutes, is ideal as a light lunch, a refreshing side dish, or a make-ahead picnic favorite. Packed with fiber and vibrant vegetables, this Mediterranean-inspired barley salad is as satisfying as it is healthy. Enjoy it at room temperature or chilled for a delicious blend of textures and flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Pearl barley
• 3 cups Water
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 1 medium (diced) Cucumber
• 1 cup (halved) Cherry tomatoes
• 0.5 medium (finely chopped) Red onion
• 0.5 cup (chopped) Fresh parsley
• 0.25 cup (chopped) Fresh mint
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Honey
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.5 cup (crumbled, optional) Feta cheese

Directions

Step 1

Start by rinsing the pearl barley under cold water to remove any debris or excess starch.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed barley, water, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat.

Step 3

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the barley simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until tender.

Step 4

Drain any excess water from the cooked barley and transfer it to a large mixing bowl to cool completely.

Step 5

While the barley is cooling, prepare the vegetables. Dice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, and finely chop the red onion, parsley, and mint.

Step 6

Once the barley has cooled, add the prepared cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, parsley, and mint to the bowl. Toss to combine.

Step 7

Prepare the lemon vinaigrette by whisking together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, remaining salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.

Step 8

Pour the vinaigrette over the barley and vegetable mixture. Toss everything together until evenly coated.

Step 9

If using, gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese for an extra burst of flavor.

Step 10

Serve immediately at room temperature, or refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1524 grams (1524.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1410

Total Fat 61.50g	79%
Saturated Fat 17.10g	86%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.50g
Cholesterol 67mg	22%
Sodium 2116mg	92%
Total Carbohydrate 187.80g	68%
Dietary Fiber 36.50g	130%
Total Sugars 18.40g
Protein 35.00g	70%

Vitamin D 12IU	60%
Calcium 595mg	46%
Iron 9mg	51%
Potassium 1661mg	35%

*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: 38.3%

Protein: 9.7%

Carbs: 52.0%