A fresh, chewy grain salad made with pearl barley, juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh parsley, lemon, and olive oil. Barley-and-tomato salads commonly use lemon/olive-oil dressings and fresh herbs.
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 1 cup pearl barley, uncooked
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½–¾ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 small cucumber, diced — optional
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
For the dressing:
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Rinse the barley and cook according to the package directions until tender but still slightly chewy.
- Drain and let the barley cool completely.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Add cooled barley to a large bowl.
- Add cherry tomatoes, parsley, red onion, and cucumber.
- Pour the dressing over everything and gently toss.
- Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, or lemon juice.
- Chill for 20–30 minutes before serving for better flavor.
Nut Information
The recipe above is naturally nut-free and contains no peanuts or tree nuts.
However, if serving someone with a serious allergy, check packaged barley, seasonings, dressings, and other ingredients for allergen/cross-contact statements. Some variations of barley salad do add nuts such as cashews or almonds, so those are intentionally excluded here.
Q&A
Q: Can I prepare this salad ahead of time?
Yes. Keep it refrigerated in an airtight container. A similar barley salad can be stored for up to 3 days.
Q: Can I use another grain?
Yes. Quinoa or couscous can be substituted for a quicker version.
Q: Can I add feta cheese?
Yes, crumbled feta makes a nice addition.
Q: Can I add chickpeas?
Yes. Drained and rinsed chickpeas work well and make the salad more substantial.
Q: Is barley gluten-free?
No. Barley contains gluten, so it is not suitable for a gluten-free diet. For a gluten-free version, use quinoa instead.
Q: Can I serve it warm?
Yes, although it is especially refreshing when served chilled or at room temperature.