Discover the deliciousness of barley with these enticing recipes! This ancient grain is an unsung hero in the culinary world, and I’m here to show off its versatility.
Get ready to expand your palate with these 24 amazing barley recipes!
1. Barley Pilaf
If you want an easy and yummy strategy for sneaking in veggies, this barley pilaf is the answer. The blend of veggies and grains brings to mind tasty fried rice. However, this pilaf is a healthier alternative since it lacks eggs and isn’t fried.
This dish is wonderfully textured, light, and nutty. Pair it with roasted chicken to finish off your dinner!
2. Vegetable Barley Soup
This is just the thing if you’re looking for a way to use up your leftover ingredients. It doesn’t require a lot of energy, and it’s incredibly adaptable to what you have.
In addition to being easy on time, this soup is easy on the wallet. You can prepare plenty of this soup for under ten bucks. Even better if you’ve already got extra veggies hanging out in your fridge.
Add your best vegetable broth, pearl barley, seasonings, and your favorite veggies to complete it. It’s incredibly healthy, substantial, and delicious.
3. Barley Rice
I’ve had grain bowls with barley. I have also enjoyed grain bowls with rice.
However, this innovative recipe combines the grains for an amazing base. This mix has more nutrients, more flavor, and a better texture.
Plus, it’s incredibly versatile. It can be paired with any type of veggie and protein combination.
4. Kale Barley Salad with Feta and a Honey Lemon Vinaigrette
If you are in search of a tasty nutrition boost, you’ve found it. This awesome salad has everything one could ever desire.
Are you looking for healthy fats, yummy greens, a tangy flavorful dressing, some crunch, and protein? Well, this kale barley salad checks all of the necessary boxes.
5. Chicken Barley Soup
Nothing hits the spot more than a cozy bowl of chicken soup.
It is light yet fulfilling, and each time I eat it, I know I’m in for a treat. This chicken barley soup is utterly divine.
With its nutty and chewy bite, the barley makes an addition that you didn’t realize you needed.
Without a doubt, chicken noodle soup is a classic for a reason. Still, here’s an excellent way to shake things up.
6. Beef Barley Soup
If you like beef stew, then I have a hunch you’ll like this soup, too. It is rich, hearty, and loaded with beef that is melt-in-your-mouth good. Now, it’s a tad lighter than beef stew, but equally delicious.
There are a ton of veggies mixed in, and the barley gives it great depth. Though I think beef stew is ideal in the colder months, this beef barley soup is amazing year-round!
7. Baked Barley with Mushrooms
This baked barley and mushroom meal is both easy and delicious. It’s an ideal side dish for meat. Moreover, it’s an amazing vegetarian meal by itself.
The greatest thing about it is that it’s flexible. Feel free to toss in extra veggies to make a heartier meal. On the other hand, if you aren’t a fan of mushrooms, just replace them with a veggie that you enjoy.
8. Homemade Lemon Barley Water
Many people argue that food can be used as medicine.When it comes to this refreshing drink, I’m apt to agree.
Plus, it has a lemonade taste, so that’s pretty awesome!
This beverage has some excellent benefits for your health!Studies show that barley water can lower blood sugar and cholesterol.It helps boost fiber, keeps your gut healthy, and aids in weight loss.
It’s made with lemon juice, barley, and sugar.This beverage is wonderfully refreshing and crisp.
Feel free to use honey in place of the sugar.
9. Barley Stuffed Bell Peppers
Fill your stomach with these yummy barley stuffed bell peppers. Vegans and non-vegans alike will appreciate this meal.
Like other stuffed peppers, these feature Italian-inspired ingredients and flavors. Thanks to the chickpeas, they’ll fill you up while their tastiness blows you away. Of course, they also have vegan cheese!
If you are not vegan, you could always use standard cheese as well.
10. Korean Barley Tea (Boricha)
It’s clear that barley is useful for a lot more than just making side dishes.
This tea is great for your health, much like the prior lemon barley water. In addition to being tasty, Boricha may help with weight loss and stomach problems.
It is a really tasty drink in spite of its potential benefits. It’s wonderfully refreshing, light, and really quenches thirst.
11. Barley Risotto
Even though risotto is pretty simple to prepare, a lot of people stay away from it outside of restaurants.
It’s unfortunate, as it is incredibly rich, silky, and tasty. This barley risotto is even better due to the added health perks.
In addition, the barley gives it a ton of flavor. With mushrooms, spinach, fennel, and white wine, this barley risotto is also earthy, creamy, and luxurious. You’ll find it irresistible.
12. Breakfast Barley Porridge
If you are a fan of oatmeal but want to try something different, this porridge is perfect. It’s deliciously nutty and filling.
Cinnamon, nuts, raisins, and honey give this recipe its flavor.
13. Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables Barley
If you usually have a lackluster opinion of veggies, then prepare to change your mind!
This Mediterranean roasted vegetables and barley dish is amazing. With its fresh meals and powerful flavors, Mediterranean food is well known.
Spiced and hearty barley makes an excellent base for this nutritious meal. Roasted veggies top the barley to perfection. Afterwards, it is tossed with fresh herbs and alliums.
Olive oil and lemon juice work as the dressing. Finally, a bit of feta and pine nuts pulls everything together. It’s so delicious!
14. Fall Spinach Barley Risotto (Orzotto con Spinaci)
If it’s tasty, healthy, and satisfying, I am immediately on board. Really, what more could you ask for?
I love the fact that this meal is decadently creamy. In my book, that puts it over the top.
15. Egyptian Barley Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette
Treat yourself like royalty with this tasty Egyptian salad. I am sure you’ll love its bright and delicious flavor.
The balance of sweet and savory is a well-known characteristic of Middle Eastern cuisine. You can see that balance beautifully displayed in this dish.
Each mouthful includes a bit of barley, cilantro, pomegranate, feta, pistachios, raisins, and scallions. The dish is dressed with a unique pomegranate vinaigrette. This salad is simply amazing!
16. Turkey Barley Soup
When you have leftover turkey (such as the day after Thanksgiving), this is the ideal meal. It’s a great method for using up the bones and leftovers. This soup has a similar flavor profile to chicken and barley, but contains turkey.
Turkey tends to be leaner than chicken, so you can feel good about it. Therefore, this soup is satisfying, yet low-cal.
17. Goose Stew with Barley and Mushrooms
Have you ever made a dinner that goes along with the movie you’re watching? If not, you should try it out. This stew is a good fit for those kinds of nights.
This dish uses true, wild components and simple, whole foods. Furthermore, it is very delicious, warm, and comforting.
So, who’s up for a Lord of the Rings marathon?
18. Barley Salad
If you believe that nutritious salads have to have a lot of lettuce, it’s time to reconsider.
This salad is incredibly tasty and healthy, yet has no lettuce. And did I mention that it’s wonderfully fresh, full of Mediterranean flavors, and super tasty? Well, it is, and I have a hunch you’ll find it irresistible.
19. Vegetarian Barley Stuffed Squash
If you have never tried stuffed squash, now is the time to jump on the train! This recipe is an excellent way to spice up any menu that has become boring. It is wonderful as a side dish or main course!
Thyme, barley, onions, celery and carrots cook in a veggie broth, producing a risotto-like, yummy filling. Everything is then stuffed in a tasty roasted squash, resulting in an utterly delicious dish!
20. Barley Salad with Roasted Chickpeas and Feta
This flavorful salad is loaded with good grains and lots of protein. As if that weren’t enough, each mouthful also gives you a crazy blend of textures and flavors.
To cap it off, there’s a tangy, sweet, and sour lemon vinaigrette that brings everything together. It’s super yummy!
21. Barley Salad with Roasted Carrots
I am a big fan of warm salads. There is just something stylish about serving warm veggies in a salad. The best thing is that it is easy to do and not at all fancy.
This dish makes use of many exciting flavors like lemon, feta, barley, cumin, coriander, and pomegranate. It is as delicious as it is elegant.
22. Barley Salad with Summer Squash
This is one salad that is a great side dish for any sort of meal. It also serves as an excellent meal by itself if you’re a vegan!
It’s packed with herbs, seasoned well, and loaded with roasted veggies and seeds, so you can expect a satisfying range of tastes and textures.
23. Barley Risotto with Mushrooms
What’s better than risotto that’s loaded with veggies, creamy, and cheesy? Consider me sold!
Bold cheeses and fresh herbs combine with mushrooms and asparagus to make this barley risotto incredibly delicious. You’re definitely going to find it irresistible.
24. Barley Porridge with Blueberries
Start your day off right with this tasty porridge with Middle Eastern influences. This porridge is loaded with good nutrition and keeps you satisfied all morning. Even the kids will find it yummy.
First, the barley gets ground down and then prepared with a bit of milk and water. This produces a super creamy, wonderful porridge with a slightly nutty flavor.
Plus, you top the porridge with chopped walnuts, oven-roasted blueberries, and chopped dates for so much flavor and an amazing texture!