Best 6 Mediterranean Barley Salad Recipes

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Are you ready to embark on a culinary journey to the enchanting shores of the Mediterranean? Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with a vibrant and flavorful dish: Mediterranean Barley Salad. This delectable salad is a symphony of textures and flavors, featuring hearty barley, crisp vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and a refreshing lemon-tahini dressing. It's a perfect blend of Mediterranean influences, offering a delightful balance of freshness, acidity, and savory goodness.

In this article, we'll take you through three enticing variations of Mediterranean Barley Salad, each with its own unique twist. The classic Mediterranean Barley Salad is a timeless delight, combining barley, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and feta cheese in a zesty lemon-tahini dressing. For a protein-packed twist, the Mediterranean Barley Salad with Chicken adds succulent grilled chicken to the mix, making it a satisfying meal. And for a vegan option, the Mediterranean Barley Salad with Roasted Vegetables showcases a colorful array of roasted vegetables, ensuring a flavorful and satisfying dish.

So, grab your apron, gather your ingredients, and let's embark on a culinary adventure, exploring the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with these three enticing variations of Mediterranean Barley Salad.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

MEDITERRANEAN BARLEY SALAD



Mediterranean Barley Salad image

A great chilled whole-grain salad to serve with grilled chicken, or on its own for lunch. Can be improved with a combination of whole grains, but the barley works on its own.

Provided by Jessica Juren

Categories     Salad     Grains

Time 1h45m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup barley
2 ½ cups water
7 sun-dried tomatoes
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
½ cup finely chopped cilantro
1 (4 ounce) can chopped black olives
2 tablespoons olive oil

Steps:

  • Bring barley and water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the barley is tender, but still slightly firm in the center, about 30 minutes. Drain and cool to room temperature in a bowl.
  • Puree the sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and balsamic vinegar in a blender until smooth. Pour over the barley. Fold in the cilantro, olives, and remaining olive oil until blended. Cover, and refrigerate until cold. Stir before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 219.6 calories, Carbohydrate 25.9 g, Fat 11.8 g, Fiber 6.3 g, Protein 4.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.7 g, Sodium 221.1 mg, Sugar 1.5 g

MEDITERRANEAN EGGPLANT AND BARLEY SALAD



Mediterranean Eggplant and Barley Salad image

The deep flavors in this lush and hearty dish are too good for anyone to pass up. Vegetarians can substitute water for the chicken broth and still enjoy the succulent, melt-in-your-mouth eggplant.

Categories     Herb     Olive     Onion     Tomato     Vegetable     Side     Roast     Picnic     Backyard BBQ     Barley     Eggplant     Gourmet     Dairy Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield 4 (main course) or 8 (side dish) servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

1 1/2 pound eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
3/4 pound zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
10 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup chopped scallion (from 1 bunch)
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1 1/4 cups pearl barley (8 oz)
1 (14-oz) can reduced-sodium chicken broth (1 3/4 cups)
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/2 pound cherry tomatoes, quartered
1/3 cup Kalamata or other brine-cured black olives, pitted and halved
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion, rinsed and drained if desired
1 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
Accompaniment: 1 (1/2-lb) piece ricotta salata, cut crosswise into thin slices

Steps:

  • Roast eggplant and zucchini:
  • Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 425°F.
  • Toss eggplant and zucchini with 5 tablespoons oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper in a bowl, then spread in 2 oiled large shallow (1-inch-deep) baking pans. Roast vegetables in oven, stirring occasionally and switching position of pans halfway through baking, until vegetables are golden brown and tender, 20 to 25 minutes total. Combine vegetables in 1 pan and cool, reserving other pan for cooling barley.
  • Cook barley:
  • Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 3- to 4-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then cook scallion, cumin, coriander, and cayenne, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add barley and cook, stirring until well coated with oil, 2 minutes more. Add broth and water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until all of liquid is absorbed and barley is tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Transfer to reserved shallow baking pan and spread to quickly cool, uncovered, to room temperature, about 20 minutes.
  • Make dressing and assemble salad:
  • Whisk together lemon juice, garlic, sugar, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 3 tablespoons oil in a large bowl. Add barley, roasted vegetables, and remaining ingredients to bowl with dressing and toss until combined well. Serve with cheese slices.

MEDITERRANEAN BARLEY SALAD



Mediterranean Barley Salad image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     side-dish

Time 55m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups vegetable broth, low-sodium canned, or homemade
1 cup barley
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup chopped Kalamata olives
2 medium tomatoes, diced
1/2 English cucumber, diced
2/3 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Bring broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the barley, oil, and salt. Bring back to a boil, adjust heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover and cook until tender, about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes more. Drain excess liquid, if needed. Cool.
  • Meanwhile, whisk the lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a large serving bowl. Gradually whisk in the oil, starting with a few drops and then adding the rest in a steady stream, to make a smooth dressing. Add the barley and the remaining salad ingredients and toss to coat with the dressing. Serve.

MEDITERRANEAN BARLEY RICE SALAD



Mediterranean Barley Rice Salad image

From Canadian Living, a deliciously interesting salad that can be made from 30 minutes to 24 hours ahead! Time does not include 30 minutes minimum chill time.

Provided by Katzen

Categories     Rice

Time 32m

Yield 12 cups, 12-16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 cup pearl barley
1 cup basmati rice
3 cups cherry tomatoes
1/2 red onion, large
1 red pepper
1 cucumber, english
4 cups Baby Spinach, coarsely chopped
1 (200 g) package feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • In saucepan of boiling salted water, cook barley until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water; drain well. Let stand for 10 minutes to dry. Transfer to large bowl.
  • Meanwhile, in a separate saucepan, bring 1 1/2 cups salted water to boil. Add rice; cover, reduce heat, and simmer until tender and no liquid remains, about 15 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes. Add to barley mixture; let cool.
  • Cut tomatoes in half; add to barley mixture. Cut onion, red pepper, and cucumber into 1 inch chunks, add to barley, tossing to combine.
  • Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper, pour over salad and toss to coat. Refrigerate for 30 minutes up to 24 hours.
  • To serve, stir in spinach and feta cheese.

CHILLED MEDITERRANEAN BARLEY SALAD



Chilled Mediterranean Barley Salad image

Posted in the MyFoodDiary.com forums, from a newspaper article some time back. Excellent salad, and very healthy. Tasty. Healthy. You can't go wrong. Even my kids like this one.

Provided by MathMom.calif

Categories     Grains

Time 50m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 1/4 cups vegetable broth or 2 1/4 cups chicken broth
1 cup pearl barley or 1 cup hulled barley
1/2 cup sun-dried tomato, cut up small
3 green onions, chopped
1/2 of a red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 of a yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Steps:

  • Cook the barley in the broth along with the chopped sun-dried tomatoes for about 30-40 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed and the barley is tender. Allow to cool to room temperature.
  • Mix the oil, vinegar and mustard thoroughly.
  • Add the remaining ingredients to the barley mixture (green onions through feta cheese), stir, and then add the oil and vinegar mixture, stirring again.
  • Add salt and pepper if needed for your taste.
  • Variations:
  • •Serve on a bed of torn romaine with some chicken for a main dish.
  • •Add toasted pine nuts.
  • •Use fresh tomatoes instead of sun-dried, if you have good tomatoes available.
  • •Use fresh oregano (1 Tbsp instead of 1 tsp) if you have fresh herbs available.
  • For vegetarian use only the vegetable broth.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 205.2, Fat 6.5, SaturatedFat 1.7, Cholesterol 5.6, Sodium 181, Carbohydrate 32.8, Fiber 6.4, Sugar 4.4, Protein 5.3

MEDITERRANEAN BARLEY SALAD



MEDITERRANEAN BARLEY SALAD image

Categories     Salad     Vegetable     Side     Vegetarian

Number Of Ingredients 14

Salad:
2 cups vegetable broth, low-sodium canned, or homemade
1 cup barley
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup chopped Kalamata olives
2 medium tomatoes, diced
1/2 English cucumber, diced
2/3 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
Dressing:
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Bring broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the barley, oil, and salt. Bring back to a boil, adjust heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover and cook until tender, about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes more. Drain excess liquid, if needed. Cool. Meanwhile, whisk the lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a large serving bowl. Gradually whisk in the oil, starting with a few drops and then adding the rest in a steady stream, to make a smooth dressing. Add the barley and the remaining salad ingredients and toss to coat with the dressing. Serve. Copyright (c) 2004 Television Food Network, G.P., All Rights Reserved.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, seasonal vegetables, flavorful herbs, and a good-quality olive oil will make all the difference in this salad.
  • Don't overcook the barley: It should be tender but still have a slight bite to it.
  • Let the salad cool completely before serving: This will help the flavors to meld and the salad will be more refreshing.
  • Feel free to customize the salad to your liking: Add more or less vegetables, herbs, or cheese. You can also use a different type of dressing, such as a vinaigrette or a lemon-tahini dressing.
  • Make ahead: This salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Conclusion:

This Mediterranean barley salad is a delicious and healthy dish that is perfect for a summer lunch or dinner. It is packed with flavor and nutrients, and it is also very easy to make. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give this salad a try. You won't be disappointed!

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