Best 6 Chilled Mediterranean Barley Salad Recipes

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Immerse yourself in the flavors of the Mediterranean with our guide to creating the perfect chilled Mediterranean barley salad. This vibrant and refreshing dish is a symphony of textures and tastes, combining the nutty flavor of barley, the tanginess of fresh vegetables, the creaminess of feta cheese, and the vibrant dressing. Join us as we explore the culinary journey of preparing this delectable salad, taking you through each step from selecting the finest ingredients to assembling the final masterpiece. Discover the secrets to cooking al dente barley, creating a flavorful dressing, and selecting the freshest vegetables to ensure an unforgettable culinary experience.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

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.

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

I created this dish in an effort to find something I can pack and bring to work for lunch that will keep me feeling full. Nothing undoes the hard work of eating a healthy diet quicker than a growling tummy. Studies have shown that barley contains dietary fiber that can slow glucose absorption and control blood sugar levels. I've used it as the base for the dish along with nutrient-packed veggies and lean protein. I suggest serving the salad at room temperature.

Provided by Diet It Up

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 1h15m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 cup barley
3 cups chicken stock, fat free & low sodium
1/2 lb chicken breast, on the bone, skin on
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon olive oil
salt
cracked black pepper
garlic powder
1 garlic clove, minced
9 ounces Baby Spinach, one pre-washed bag
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
1/2 cup kalamata olive, pitted and halved
1/2 cup reduced-fat feta cheese, crumbled
1 tablespoon Italian dressing

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Add barley and chicken stock to a medium pot. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 1 hour. Set aside.
  • Place the chicken breast in a roasting pan, skin side up. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil and season with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Add about ¼ cup of water to the bottom of the pan. Roast at 400 degrees for 35 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160-165 degrees. Once the chicken is cool, discard the skin and bones and cut into cubes. Set aside.
  • Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and garlic to a deep pot. Cook garlic on medium heat for 2 minutes. Add spinach and crushed red pepper flakes. Saute until spinach is wilted, about 5 minutes. Drain off any excess liquid and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine the barley, cubed chicken, wilted spinach, grape tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, feta cheese and Italian dressing. Stir together and re-season if necessary. Serve at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 281.1, Fat 10.8, SaturatedFat 2.3, Cholesterol 27.8, Sodium 341.7, Carbohydrate 31.1, Fiber 7, Sugar 3.5, Protein 16.4

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.

BARLEY LIME FIESTA SALAD



Barley Lime Fiesta Salad image

Got this at ShopRite® and loved it so much I had to make it. This is what I came up with. I had this alongside my smoked chicken and bacon with avocado spread sandwich. Perfect complement! All the ingredients for the vinaigrette are by eye and to taste.

Provided by Christine

Categories     Salad     Grains

Time 3h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 22

1 cup pearl barley
2 cups water
½ (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
½ green bell pepper, chopped
½ red bell pepper, chopped
1 (8.75 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
¾ chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, finely chopped, or to taste
1 tablespoon canola oil
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ cup water
2 tablespoons light corn syrup, or to taste
1 tablespoon canola oil, or to taste
1 tablespoon lime juice, or to taste
1 tablespoon lemon juice, or to taste
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar, or to taste
onion powder, or to taste

Steps:

  • Bring the barley and water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until the barley is tender, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat, and chill in refrigerator.
  • In a large salad bowl, combine the cooked barley, black beans, green and red bell pepper, corn, celery, red onion, carrot, chipotle pepper, 1 tablespoon of canola oil, salt, black pepper, and cumin until thoroughly mixed.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the water, corn syrup, 1 tablespoon of canola oil, lime juice, lemon juice, cilantro, white vinegar, and onion powder; pour dressing over barley mixture, and toss to combine. Refrigerate salad until cold.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 166.4 calories, Carbohydrate 29.9 g, Fat 4.5 g, Fiber 5.5 g, Protein 4.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.4 g, Sodium 262.6 mg, Sugar 4 g

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     Grain Salads

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

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make your salad more enjoyable. Look for ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and tender barley.
  • Cook the barley properly: Barley should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. If you overcook the barley, it will become mushy.
  • Let the salad cool completely: This will help the flavors to meld and develop. You can also chill the salad for several hours or overnight before serving.
  • Use a variety of vegetables: This will add color, texture, and flavor to your salad. Some good choices include tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and onions.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment: There are many different ways to make a Mediterranean barley salad. Feel free to add your own favorite ingredients or experiment with different dressings.

Conclusion:

Mediterranean barley salad is a delicious, healthy, and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or as a side dish. It is a great way to use up leftover barley, and it is also a good source of protein, fiber, and vitamins. With so many different ways to make it, there is sure to be a Mediterranean barley salad recipe that everyone will enjoy.

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