Best 4 Greek Barley Salad Recipes

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# Tantalize Your Taste Buds with Greek Barley Salad: A Delightful Fusion of Mediterranean Flavors

Embark on a culinary journey to the sun-kissed shores of Greece with our delectable Greek Barley Salad. This vibrant and refreshing dish is a symphony of textures and flavors, featuring hearty barley, crisp vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and a zesty dressing that awakens the palate.

Our comprehensive guide presents three variations of this Mediterranean masterpiece, catering to diverse dietary preferences and culinary inclinations. Indulge in the classic Greek Barley Salad, a harmonious blend of barley, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and feta cheese, dressed in a vibrant lemon-olive oil vinaigrette.

For a vegan twist, explore our Vegan Greek Barley Salad, where crumbled tofu replaces feta cheese, while a tangy tahini dressing adds a nutty and creamy touch. If you're gluten-free, our Gluten-Free Greek Barley Salad offers a delightful alternative with quinoa replacing barley, ensuring you can savor this culinary treasure without compromise.

Each recipe is meticulously crafted with easy-to-follow instructions, ensuring culinary success for home cooks of all skill levels. Step-by-step guidance leads you through the process of preparing the barley, assembling the salad, and creating the perfect dressing, empowering you to recreate this authentic Greek delicacy in your own kitchen.

So, gather your ingredients, don your apron, and let's embark on a culinary adventure to the heart of the Mediterranean. Discover the vibrant flavors and textures of Greek Barley Salad, a dish that promises to tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the sun-drenched shores of Greece.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

GREEK WATERMELON-BARLEY SALAD



Greek Watermelon-Barley Salad image

Provided by Laurie Woolever

Categories     easy, salads and dressings

Time 45m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 1/2 cups barley, rinsed
Salt
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 green bell pepper, cored and diced
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons capers
1 garlic clove, minced
2 cups diced watermelon
1 cup cooked black-eyed peas or one 15-ounce can black-eyed peas, drained
1 cup halved grape tomatoes
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup chopped curly parsley
1/4 cup chopped dill

Steps:

  • In a large pot, combine barley and about 2 quarts water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until cooked al dente, about 30 minutes. Season generously with salt and let sit for 5 minutes. Drain and cool.
  • In a bowl, combine red onion, olive oil, green pepper, vinegar, capers and garlic. Add to barley and toss. Add watermelon, black-eyed peas, tomatoes, cucumber, feta, parsley and dill, and toss again. Serve cold or at room temperature as a main course or, if desired, with grilled shrimp or chicken.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 449, UnsaturatedFat 17 grams, Carbohydrate 48 grams, Fat 25 grams, Fiber 11 grams, Protein 11 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 670 milligrams, Sugar 8 grams

GREEK BARLEY SALAD



Greek Barley Salad image

this recipe uses fast cooking barley, but you can use regular barley too, just increase the cooking time to 45 minutes.

Provided by chia2160

Categories     Grains

Time 35m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup uncooked quick-cooking barley
3/4 cup chopped red pepper
3/4 cup chopped cucumber
3/4 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in halves
1/2 cup chopped red onion, to taste
1/4 cup pitted kalamata olive, sliced
3 tablespoons vegetable broth
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon oregano
1 clove minced garlic
salt, pepper
2/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
4 romaine lettuce leaves

Steps:

  • bring 2 c vegetable broth to a boil.
  • add barley, cover, lower to simmer and cook 12 minutes until barley is tender.
  • remove from heat, drain if necessary, cool completely.
  • combine barley, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and olives in a bowl.
  • combine broth, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper, stir well and add to barley mixture, toss well.
  • add feta cheese, toss.
  • serve over romaine lettuce leaves.

GREEK CHICKEN AND BARLEY SALAD



Greek Chicken and Barley Salad image

Posting for ZWT#6. From CookingLight contributor Suzanne Rumsey of Fort Wayne, Indiana who won $5000 for this recipe! What would YOU do if you won that money? :) A make ahead and time does not include chilling time. It says 8 servings but think they might be pretty small portions.

Provided by WiGal

Categories     Chicken Breast

Time 1h5m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 (6 ounce) skinless chicken breasts, boneless
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon olive oil
4 cups chicken broth, DIVIDED
1 cup pearl barley, uncooked
2 cups cucumbers, seeded cubed
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, cubed
1/3 cup reduced-fat feta cheese
1/4 cup kalamata olive, pitted chopped
3 tablespoons light extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon rind, grated
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh basil, minced
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3 garlic cloves, minced

Steps:

  • To prepare salad, sprinkle chicken with 1/8 teaspoon salt.
  • Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add chicken; cook 2 minutes on each side or until browned.
  • Add 1 cup broth; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until done.
  • Cool; shred chicken.
  • Discard broth.
  • Bring 3 cups broth to a boil in a large saucepan; add barley.
  • Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 35 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
  • Fluff with a fork.
  • Cool.
  • Combine chicken, barley, cucumber, and next 4 ingredients (through olives) in a large bowl.
  • To prepare dressing, combine 3 tablespoons oil, rind, and remaining ingredients; stir well.
  • Add to barley mixture; toss well.
  • Cover and chill.

GREEK BARLEY SALAD



GREEK BARLEY SALAD image

Categories     Salad

Yield 4-6

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup pearled barley
Kosher salt
2 cups yellow and red cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives
3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
1 small red bell pepper, seeded, ribs removed and diced
1 shallot, minced
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Combine the barley, 3 cups water and a pinch salt in a medium-size saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer until the barley is tender, about 45 minutes. Drain in a colander and let cool. Combine the tomatoes, feta, olives, mint, bell pepper and shallots in a bowl. Add the cooled barley. Whisk together the red wine vinegar and olive oil in a separate small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Dress the salad and toss. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Cook's Note: It's best to make the barley salad at least 3 hours ahead of time so the flavors have time to mingle.

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: The fresher the ingredients, the better your salad will taste. Look for crisp barley, ripe vegetables, and flavorful herbs.
  • Cook the barley perfectly: Barley should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. Follow the package directions for cooking times, or use the following method:
    1. Rinse the barley in a fine-mesh strainer.
    2. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan.
    3. Add the barley and a pinch of salt.
    4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the barley is tender.
    5. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
    6. Fluff with a fork and let cool.
  • Use a variety of vegetables: This recipe calls for tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and bell pepper. However, you can use any vegetables that you like. Some other good options include:
    • Zucchini
    • Corn
    • Green beans
    • Artichokes
    • Asparagus
  • Make a flavorful dressing: The dressing for this salad is made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, dried oregano, and salt and pepper. You can adjust the ingredients to taste. For a more tangy dressing, add more lemon juice. For a more herbaceous dressing, add more oregano.
  • Let the salad chill before serving: This will allow the flavors to meld together.

Conclusion:

Greek barley salad is a delicious and refreshing dish that is perfect for summer. It is made with simple, wholesome ingredients and is packed with flavor. This salad is also very versatile, so you can easily customize it to your liking. Experiment with different vegetables, herbs, and dressings to create a salad that is perfect for you.

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