This pearl barley salad recipe is made with green beans, chickpeas, feta and dill for a delicious Mediterranean twist. It’s perfect for picnics and potlucks and makes a hearty meal prep lunch!

Pearl barley salad in white bowl with green beans

There’s nothing like a good grain salad for lunch on busy days.  They’re nice and hearty, packed with veggies, and they keep me satisfied until dinner. 

Normally my go-to’s are pesto quinoa bowls and farro salad, but this Pearl Barley Salad has found a spot in the rotation.

As much as I love barley in my favorite mushroom barley soup, surprisingly I’d never tried it in a grain salad like this sooner. It makes this Mediterranean barley salad very hearty, but the flavors make it fresh and light at the same time.  

This recipe is simple, and it’s proof that sometimes simple is best.

Overhead shot of pearl barley salad in white bowl

Why you’ll love this recipe:

  • This pearl barley salad is wholesome, satisfying and packed with nutritious ingredients.
  • It’s bursting with the fresh flavors of the Mediterranean.
  • It’s very easy to make and is easily customized using what you have on hand.
  • It keeps well in the fridge, making it a good option for your weekly meal prep.

Recipe ingredients

Barley gives this salad its heartiness, and it’s loaded with fiber and nutrients that help you feel full. It’s got a nice chewy texture and nutty flavor, and it’s a bonus that it also happens to be heart-healthy.

Ingredient notes

  • Pearl barley. Cook the barley according to the instructions on the package.
  • Fresh green beans. Substitute with canned or whatever veggies you have on hand.
  • Feta cheese. The feta adds a lovely saltiness to the salad. It may be subbed with goat cheese or parmesan.
  • Fresh dill. If you have no dill on hand, substitute with your favorite herb.
  • Chickpeas. The chickpeas add protein and make this salad even more satisfying. They may be substituted with your favorite beans.

How to make this recipe

This is pearl barley salad is an easy recipe that requires minimal hands-on prep work. Plus, it can be made in advance!

Pro tip: You may also cook the green beans in the microwave. Simply place in a microwave-safe bowl with about 1/4 cup water. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and cook for 3-5 minutes or until crisp tender.

  1. Cook the barley according to package instructions.
  2. While the barley is cooking, place the green beans in a large pot of boiling water. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until crisp tender, about 3-5 minutes. Rinse in cold running water to stop the cooking process.
  3. Add the drained green beans, chickpeas, feta, dill, lemon juice, and the olive oil with salt and pepper, to taste.
  4. Stir gently to combine, adding more olive oil if the salad seems dry.
Close up of pearl barley salad in white bowl

FAQ’s

How to store this recipe

Store leftover pearl barley salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Can additional vegetables be added?

Of course! This is a great clean out the fridge type of recipe. Use any fresh vegetables you have on hand.

Can another type of grain be substituted?

Yes, the barley can be replaced with your grain of choice. Quinoa, wild rice or farro are all great options.

What to serve with this recipe

This is one of the best barley salad recipes because it’s great as a side dish served with grilled meats, or perfect served as a vegetarian meal.

If serving as a side dish, here are some main dishes you can pair it with:

Recipe notes

  • Pro tip: You may also cook the green beans in the microwave. Simply place in a microwave-safe bowl with about 1/4 cup water. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and cook for 3-5 minutes or until crisp tender.
  • If you’d like to use a homemade dressing for this recipe, my Greek salad dressing or homemade Italian dressing would be perfect.
  • This salad keeps well for 3-5 days, but you will need to add more olive oil as the barley absorbs the oil as it sits.
  • You can serve this salad warm or cold. It’s delicious both ways!

More grain salads:

Did you try this recipe?  If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram

Pearl barley salad in white bowl with green beans and lemon

Pearl Barley Salad with Chickpeas, Feta, and Lemon

This pearl barley salad recipe is made with green beans, chickpeas, feta, and dill for a Mediterranean twist. Great for bringing to picnics and potlucks!
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Ingredients

  • 1 cup pearl barley cooked according to package instructions
  • 1 pound fresh green beans washed, trimmed, and cut into 2″ pieces
  • 15 ounces chickpeas rinsed and drained
  • 4 ounce container crumbled feta
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh dill
  • 2 lemons juiced
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • While the barley is cooking, place the green beans in a large pot of boiling water. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until crisp tender, about 3-5 minutes. Place in a colander and rinse with cold running water to stop the cooking process and drain well.
  • Place the pearl barley, green beans, chickpeas, feta, dill in a large bowl.
  • Add the lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper, to taste, and stir gently to combine, adding more olive oil if the salad seems dry. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Pro tip: You may also cook the green beans in the microwave. Simply place in a microwave-safe bowl with about 1/4 cup water. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and cook for 3-5 minutes or until crisp tender.
  • If you’d like to use a homemade dressing for this recipe, my Greek salad dressing or homemade Italian dressing would be perfect.
  • This salad keeps well for 3-5 days, but you will need to add more olive oil as the barley absorbs the oil as it sits.
  • You can serve this salad warm or cold. It’s delicious both ways!

Nutrition

Calories: 254kcal, Carbohydrates: 28g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 13mg, Sodium: 284mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 9g

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Did you try this recipe?Be sure to tag @flavorthemoments with the hashtag #flavorthemoments on Instagram so I can see what you made!

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