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Barely is a super grain in terms of its high nutritional merits and was one of the first grains to be cultivated the world over by our ancient ancestors. As craft beer fans we also have deep appreciation for its contribution to the foundation of brewing (and the rise of civilization that happened on the side).
We love using it as a cooking ingredient - in soups, stews, risottos, and especially in hearty salads. Cooked barley has an enjoyable texture and flavor and its health benefits help counter any adverse effects of (sometimes) too liberally enjoying craft brews.
Mediterranean Barley Salad Ingredients
- You will need barley and vegetable or chicken stock (using just water is fine too) to cook it in
- and for this barley salad: feta cheese, red onion, Italian parsley, sweet drop mini peppers, kalamata olives
- A simple vinaigrette of extra virgin olive oil and wine vinegar (or the vinegar based brine from the drop peppers) plus salt & pepper
Pearl Barley vs Hulled Barley
There are two types of barley to choose from - pearl barley (aka pearled barley) and hulled barley (aka barley groats).
Pearl barley is more common. It takes less time to cook because the outer husk (hull) of the grains has been removed and the bran layer underneath it partially or fully polished or 'pearled'.
Hulled barley is considered even healthier - it is a whole grain with only the inedible husk removed and the bran layer intact.
Both are suitable for barley salad and contribute a mild nutty flavor.
How to Cook Barley
Cooking barley entails simply simmering it in water or stock until it becomes tender but is still slightly chewy.
We are using pearl barley in this post.
Use a ratio of 1 cup barley to 3 cups of liquid when cooking pearl barley. One cup of dry pearled grain yields three cups of cooked.
If you choose hulled barley instead - add about 20 to 25 extra minutes to the cooking time. Use the same water to grain ratio but be advised that it will absorb less water in comparison with the pearl version.
Step 1. Because barley is a natural agricultural product even modern cleaning technologies may leave behind foreign material and less than perfect grains. Sort and rinse it under water before cooking it or simply submerge it in a bowl of cold water and scoop up grains/impurities that float to the top.
Step 2. Bring 3 cups of water or stock (we used vegetable stock) to boil, add 1 teaspoon salt (optional if using stock) and add the barley. Lower the heat and simmer until tender but still firm and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Step 3. To cool off the cooked barley faster scoop it out of the pot and spread it over a baking sheet. Make sort of diamond patterns as seen below. This will also help it dry out a bit and become less sticky.
Assemble Your Barley Salad
Once your boiled barley has cooled down completely, prep the rest of the salad ingredients (don't crumble the feta cheese too small and leave the sweet drop peppers whole, #2 above), add them all to a mixing bowl and pour vinaigrette over them.
Mix well, taste, season with extra salt and pepper as needed and serve.
Barley Salad Customization Ideas
You can combine cooked barley with hundreds of fruits and vegetables (raw, cooked or pickled), fresh herbs, mushrooms, dried fruit, cheese, certain nuts. Which means infinite possibilities.
TIP: Use acidic vinaigrettes without hesitation - barley welcomes higher acid levels.
Besides the barley salad version we present in the recipe card here are a few other of our favorite ways to dress up cooked barley. You know your flavor buds best, so use as little or as much of each ingredient listed as you see fit.
- arugula, pine nuts, diced roasted garlic cloves, diced red onions and goat cheese crumbles with balsamic vinaigrette
- diced roasted butternut squash, diced celery, diced shallots, cayenne pepper to taste and this cooling yogurt sauce instead of a dressing
- diced tomatoes and cucumbers, chopped dill and parsley, chopped green onions, white wine vinegar and olive oil
- roasted red peppers cut in strips, thinly sliced onions, chopped parsley, minced garlic and mozzarella pearls with a balsamic or red wine vinaigrette
- finely diced preserved lemons, chopped cilantro, red pepper flakes and green olives, lemon juice and olive oil vinaigrette
- chopped dried apricots, chopped hazelnuts, shaved fennel with orange juice vinaigrette (and lots of fresh ground pepper, mmm)
Barley salads make a great side to pork chops or lamb chops and all kinds of grilled meats in summer.
Health Benefits of Barley
Besides its lovely flavor cooked barley has multiple health benefits which is why barley salad is on regular rotation in our home.
Cooked barley can help you:
- improve your digestion due to its high fiber content, both soluble and insoluble
- control your weight and may even help with weight loss (slows stomach emptying and reduces hunger)
- lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels due to the beta-glucan soluble fiber it contains
- avoid gallbladder related issues as it can prevent the formation of gallstones
- lower your high blood pressure
Barley Nutrition
Barley has more protein than any other grain (1 cup contains about 10 grams versus only 5 for quinoa for example). It also contains both soluble and insoluble fiber, iron, potassium, manganese, selenium, calcium and magnesium.
Hulled barley is richer in nutrients and higher in fiber than pearl barley.
In addition to the nutritional benefits you can obtain from cooked barley you can also tap into the astonishing Health Benefits of Barley Grass Juice Powder and consider lemon barley water, barley tea and roasted barley coffee substitute as refreshing beverages.
Recipe
Barley Salad with Olives, Feta Cheese & Sweet Drop Peppers
Ingredients
- 1 cup pearl barley
- 3 cups vegetable or chicken stock*
- ½ cup sweet drop mini peppers
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese sheep's milk in brine recommended
- ½ cup red onion diced
- ¾ cup kalamata olives pitted and sliced in half
- 2 tablespoon Italian flat leaf parsley finely chopped
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon vinegar or vinegar based brine from the sweet drop peppers
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sort and rinse the pearl barley with cold water.
- Bring the stock to a boil, add the barley, lower the heat to medium-low and simmer covered for about 35-45 minutes until the liquid has been mostly absorbed and the grains are tender and chewy.
- Spread the cooked barley over a baking sheet to help it cool off faster. When cooled fluff with a fork and transfer to a mixing bowl.
- Mix a vinaigrette with the olive oil, vinegar and salt and pepper. Add the rest of the salad ingredients to the barley, pour the vinaigrette, mix everything well together and season with salt and pepper if needed. Serve.
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
I was obsessed with barley salads when I was in college but I haven't made one since then. I need to make yours ASAP because now I'm totally craving it. It looks awesome!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
I love all sorts of grains and lentils and the like and this barley salad has my name written all over it! What a lovely (and hearty) lunch this would make! Pinned!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
I love barley, so I'm all about this one! I love a great barley salad for a dinner salad, as it's so nice and filling. And of course, delicious. Can't wait to try this one 🙂