Home ยป Italian Barley Salad

Italian Barley Salad

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

This colorful and flavorful Italian Barley Salad is a great make-ahead dish and is perfect for your next potluck, picnic, BBQ or any other occasion!

I did something I never thought I’d do.

I never, ever thought I’d replicate, or even want to replicate, airplane food.ย  But I did and here it is!

On a recent trip back home from Europe we were served a barley salad as the side dish and it was actually very good.ย  So much so that our 6 year-old daughter asked if she could have ours too!ย  Fortunately for me our 8 year-old son didn’t want his :)ย  As our daughter was eating it she asked me if I could make it “as soon as” we got back home.ย  So the next day she got her wish.

This salad is a great make-ahead salad as the flavor is even better the next day.

Let’s get started!

Make a batch of Homemade Italian Dressing.

homemade italian dressing recipe

Place all the veggies and parsley in a large bowl and add the cooled, cooked barley.ย  Stir to combine.

Add the Homemade Italian Dressing and stir to thoroughly combine.

Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 3-4 hours before serving.

Enjoy!

Italian Barley Salad

This colorful and flavorful salad is a great make-ahead dish and is perfect for you next potluck, picnic, BBQ or any occasion!
5 from 12 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 8 servings
Calories 212 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 1/4 cup uncooked pearl barley (for GF version use quinoa, millet or GF grain of choice)
  • 1 cucumber, chopped
  • 3 tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 3/4 cup Homemade Italian Dressing (click link for recipe)

Instructions
 

  • Cook the barley in salted water for about 45 minutes or until the barley is tender but still chewy.  Drain and cool completely.
  • Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl.  Add the Homemade Italian Dressing and stir to thoroughly combine.  Chill in the fridge for at least 3-4 hours before serving.  Can be made a day ahead.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 212kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 3gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 2.8gSodium: 6mgPotassium: 267mgFiber: 5gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 9.6mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mg
Keyword barley salad
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
kimberly killebrew the daring gourmet

Hi, Iโ€™m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!

Read more about me...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




5 from 12 votes (2 ratings without comment)

21 Comments

  1. This is fabulous, and I truly love barley. Although I use hulled barley, which isn’t processed, so it’s much chewier! Great ingredients in the salad and dressing!

  2. I just made this last night for camping this weekend! Can’t wait to try it! I absolutely love just about every one of your recipes! :)