Spinach Mushroom Barley Pilaf

Delight your taste buds with this hearty and wholesome Spinach Mushroom Barley Pilaf, a flavorful blend of nutty pearl barley, earthy cremini mushrooms, and vibrant fresh spinach. Simmered in savory vegetable broth and accented with aromatic garlic, thyme, and a splash of zesty lemon juice, this one-pot dish is a perfect balance of comfort and nutrition. Ready in under an hour, this pilaf is ideal as a satisfying vegetarian main course or a robust side dish. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for a creamy finish, or keep it vegan-friendly—it's versatile, healthy, and utterly delicious. Perfect for weeknights or meal prep, this recipe is packed with fiber, protein, and bold flavors the whole family will love.

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup pearl barley
• 2.5 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups baby bella (cremini) mushrooms, sliced
• 4 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1.5 tablespoons lemon juice
• 0.5 teaspoon (or to taste) salt
• 0.25 teaspoon (or to taste) black pepper
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the pearl barley under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a medium-sized pot, bring the vegetable broth to a boil. Add the rinsed barley, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes or until the barley is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Drain any excess liquid if needed and set the cooked barley aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and translucent.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the sliced mushrooms and cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are tender and their liquid has mostly evaporated.

Step 6

Add the chopped spinach to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the spinach has wilted.

Step 7

Stir in the cooked barley, fresh thyme, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Mix well and cook for another 2-3 minutes to let the flavors combine.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasonings, if needed. If desired, sprinkle the pilaf with grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

Step 9

Serve warm as a main dish or side. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1537.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1613.1

Total Fat 53.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 16.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.4g
Cholesterol 47.4mg	0%
Sodium 3718.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 227.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 49.1g	0%
Total Sugars 22.0g
Protein 68.9g	0%

Vitamin D 19.6IU	0%
Calcium 1086.6mg	0%
Iron 16.4mg	0%
Potassium 4491.8mg	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: 29.0%

Protein: 16.5%

Carbs: 54.5%