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Bean and Barley Salad

Bean and Barley Salad is a hearty and delicious side dish to make ahead for summer. Made with pearl barley, fresh vegetables, beans and a sweet and tangy dressing. Easy to make ahead and enjoy all week long. 

Bean and Barley Salad

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Bean and Barley Salad is really filling and flavorful. It makes a great lunch that you can make ahead and keep on hand. I find that if I have something that I can just grab out of the fridge, I am less likely to grab an unhealthy snack. 

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Bean and Barley Salad with closeup spoonful

How to Make Bean and Barley Salad:

Cooked pearl barley in a red bowl

  • Cook pearl barley according to package directions and set aside to cool.

Chopped vegetables, cucumbers, carrots, garlic, celery and red onion

  • Chop onions, cucumbers, celery, garlic, and herbs. Shred carrots. 

Dressing for barley salad with red pepper flakes

  • Mix dressing by combining vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt and red pepper flakes. 

Kidney Beans, chickpeas, cucumbers, carrots, onions and celery in a red bowl

  • Add barley to a large bowl with vegetables, beans and dressing and mix well. 

Fresh parsley and thyme on a marble board

  • Chop some fresh herbs like parsley and rosemary and stir into the salad to add more delicious flavors. Rosemary or basil are also great options. 

Beans, vegetables and pearl barley in a red bowl

  • Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight before serving. 

Bean and Barley Salad will keep in the refrigerator up to 4 days. Stir well before serving. 

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Recipe Tips:

Use any combination of fresh vegetables that you have on hand. This is one of those dishes that just gets better the next day as the flavors meld together. I love that it stays fresh for days. 

Pearl barley works better for this salad recipe than instant barley, which can get mushy. Farro or quinoa would work well too. Look for pearl barley near the whole grains at your grocery store or it’s easy to order from Amazon. 

I love this vegetable chopper for making quick work of fresh salads. 

Delicious Summer Side Dishes

Delicious summer side dishes to make for cookouts, potlucks and family meal time.

Spoonful of Bean and Barley salad with vegetables

This Bean and Barley Salad goes great with any meal on the grill like marinated pork chops, steaks, grilled burgers or salmon. Add it to your weekly meal prep for an easy lunch or side dish to round out your favorite meals.

Yield: 8 servings

Bean and Barley Salad

Bean and Barley Salad

Bean and Barley Salad is a hearty and delicious side dish to make ahead for summer. Made with pearl barley, fresh vegetables, beans and a sweet and tangy dressing. Easy to make ahead and enjoy all week long. 

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Additional Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 cups cooked pearl barley
  • 1 heaping cup diced cucumbers
  • 3/4 cup diced red onion
  • 1 large carrot, grated
  • 1/2 cup diced celery
  • 1 large garlic clove, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs like parsley and thyme

Instructions

  1. Mix barley, beans, cucumbers, onion, celery, carrots and garlic together in a bowl.
  2. In a separate bowl whisk together vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt and red pepper flakes. Mix until sugar is dissolved.
  3. Pour over bean and barley mixture. Stir in herbs.
  4. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Stir to mix well before serving.

Notes

Store in an airtight container up to 4 days in refrigerator. Stir before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 204Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 257mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 4gSugar: 11gProtein: 3g

Nutritional calculations are estimated and may not be accurate.

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4 Comments

  1. This recipe has become a favorite!! It is absolutely delicious and healthy. We take it to all of our church pitch ins and it is loved. Thank you so much!

    1. Hi Mary,
      With the cucumbers and fresh herbs, I don’t think it would freeze well but I haven’t tried it. I hope that helps.

      ~ Milisa

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