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You’ll make this fresh barley salad again & again! It’s light, packed with fresh veggies and lemon flavor, and it keeps well if you prep it ahead of time. It’s the perfect summer lunch, great for potlucks and BBQs.

Added bonus? It’s healthy, vegan, easy to customize with your favorite add-ins and it’s easy to transport too!

Top view of a white salad bowl full of barley salad with cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber and herbs.

Quick salads packed with grains and plant-based protein have been one of my go-to lunches for years. And now that the temperature rises, I thought I’d share this delicious barley salad recipe with all of you!

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In this recipe, I used creamy avocado, chickpeas and I played off with plenty of lemon flavor, adding juice and lemon zest to the dressing. The result is a fresh, delicious, zesty barley salad, perfect as a side dish and hearty enough to be a meal on its own.

I love it also because it holds up well in the fridge and keeps fresh for days, which is definitely a big bonus when cooking in summer feels like a chore.

So feel free to double or triple the recipe because the next day tastes even better, and serve it for dinner, pack it up for lunch, or bring it to your next summer gathering!

List of the ingredients

  • Pearled barley
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Canned chickpeas (white or dark beans are fine)
  • Cucumber (English or Lebanese)
  • Avocado
  • Lemons
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Fresh parsley (basil, dill, or chives are fine too)
  • Garlic & mustard
  • Onion (optional)
  • Salt & pepper

The ingredients to make the barley salad are arranged over a white background.

How to make barley salad

(note: this is simply a quick description, the full recipe is a the bottom of the page)

  • Cook barley, drain, and let it cool.
  • Make the dressing by placing all the ingredients in a jar and shake vigorously.

Top view of a glass jar full of lemon garlic dressing, lemons and parsley in the background.

  • Place cold barley and vegetable in one large salad bowl.
  • Pour the dressing and toss until well combined. Done.

    • PRO TIP: to speed up the cooling time, rinse the cooked barley under runny cold water and drain well.

    A glass jar pouring lemon dressing over barley and chopped vegetables.

    Recipe notes & FAQs

    What is barley?

    Cooked barley is a cereal grain with a slightly chewy texture and nutty flavor.

    It’s a versatile whole grain for many different dishes, from fresh salads to this warming . It’s inexpensive, especially if you buy it from the bulk section section.

    Is barley good for you?

    If you’re wondering if barley is good for you, the answer is yes!

    This cereal is rich in fiber and other important folates and minerals like selenium, great for heart health. Plus, the fiber content makes you feel fuller for longer, promoting weight loss.

    However, barley is not a gluten-free grain.

    A small white bowl full of uncooked pearled barley.

    Barley salad ingredients

    BARLEY: you want to use pearled barley for this recipe, not hulled barley.

    Pearled barley cooks faster than hulled barley because it has been processed to remove its fibrous outer hull, and it is the most common for soups and salads.

    TOMATOES: I used cherry tomatoes, but you can use any tomatoes, as long as you remove the seeds and dice them. Make sure you remove the excess water from large tomatoes.

    CUCUMBER: crunchy, fresh cucumbers are best. Remove their seeds if needed, see notes in the recipe card.

    AVOCADO: use a ripe but firm avocado to add flavor and texture.

    CHICKPEAS: white, black or kidney beans work fine instead of chickpeas.

    FRESH HERBS: use only fresh herb. I love adding chopped fresh parsley to my salads, but fresh basil, dills or chives work totally fine instead of parsley.

    LEMON DRESSING: you absolutely want to use extra virgin olive oil and fresh garlic and lemons for the salad dressing. Don’t use bottled lemon juice here.

    Barley salad variations

    This barley salad is super versatile, feel free to mix and match fresh, crunchy vegetables, favorite legumes, and fresh herbs

    Here are a few of my favorite add-ins: crumbled feta, mozzarella pearls, sun dried tomatoes, olives, grilled vegetables. Be creative!

    Close-up of a white salad bowl full of barley salad, lemons and white plates in the background.

    More delicious salad recipes

    If you love fresh, light salads, I’ve got you covered! Here are a few of my favorites, packed with protein and flavor:

    • (vegan)
    • (vegan)

    If you make this barley salad, or you have a question, let me know by leaving a comment and rating the recipe. I would love to hear from you! x

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    Barley Salad with Lemon Dressing

    This delicious barley salad is light, packed with fresh veggies and lemon flavor, and it keeps well if you prep it ahead of time. It's the perfect summer lunch, great for potlucks and BBQ's parties. The recipe makes 4 regular servings or or 6 smaller sides.

    Prep Time20
    Cook Time30 Cooling time 40
    Total Time1 30
    CourseSalad, Side Dish
    CuisineAmerican
    Keywordbarley salad
    Servings4
    Calories363 kcal
    AuthorKatia

    BARLEY SALAD

    • 1 cup (200 grams) uncooked pearled barley, rinsed
    • 3 cups (720 ml) water
    • ½ tsp salt
    • 9oz (250 grams) cherry tomatoes, halved
    • 1 (7oz/200 grams) cucumber, seeds removed and diced (see notes)
    • 1 can (15oz/400 grams) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
    • 1 avocado, cubed
    • ⅓ cup fresh parsley, chopped
    • ½ red onion, chopped (optional)

    LEMON DRESSING

    • 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus more to taste
    • 2 ½ Tbsp lemon juice
    • 1 Tbsp lemon zest (1 large lemon)
    • 1 garlic clove, pressed or grated
    • ½ scant tsp Dijon mustard
    • ¾ tsp fine salt
    • ½ tsp black pepper
    • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add barley, reduce the heat to a simmer, cover with a lid and cook for about 25-30 minutes or until barley is tender. Drain well, place in a large salad bowl and let it cool for about 40 minutes.
    • Make the dressing by placing olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, mustard, salt, pepper and garlic into a jar with a lid. Shake vigorously until well combined.
    • Add the vegetables, chickpeas, herbs to the barley and pour over the lemon dressing. Toss well to combined, taste and adjust the seasoning according to your liking if needed.
    • You can serve this barley salad at room temperature or cold. If time allows, I prefer to let it chill an extra 30 minutes in the fridge before serving. Enjoy!