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!

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

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

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the pearl barley under cold water to remove excess starch.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

Drain any excess water from the cooked barley and let it cool completely.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled barley, chopped vegetables, parsley, and mint.

Step 7

Pour the lemon dressing over the barley mixture and toss until everything is well coated.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if necessary.

Step 9

Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 10

Serve chilled or at room temperature as a light meal or a flavorful side dish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1565.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1108.8

Total Fat 31.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1256.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 188.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 38.9g	0%
Total Sugars 17.8g
Protein 25.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 220.1mg	0%
Iron 8.3mg	0%
Potassium 1787.0mg	0%

*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: 25.0%

Protein: 8.9%

Carbs: 66.1%