10+ Barley Recipes to Delight Your Taste Buds

Barley is a versatile grain that can elevate a variety of dishes. It offers a hearty texture and nutty flavor, making it an excellent choice for meals at any time of the day. You can easily incorporate barley into your cooking for nutritious and delicious options that will impress your family and friends.

From soups to salads, barley adapts well to different ingredients and flavors. Whether you’re looking for a warm comfort dish or a refreshing side, there are plenty of barley recipes to try. With simple preparation and cooking methods, you’ll find that this grain is not only tasty but also easy to include in your everyday meals.

1) Mushroom Barley Risotto

Mushroom barley risotto is a comforting dish that’s easy to prepare. It uses pearl barley for a creamy texture and combines it with flavorful mushrooms.

To start, gather fresh mushrooms, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. The nutty taste of barley pairs well with these ingredients, making for a hearty meal.

You can serve this dish as a main course or a side. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner or a special occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pearl barley
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and mushrooms, cooking until tender.
3. Stir in the barley and cook for another minute.
4. Add the broth and bring to a boil; then cover and transfer to the oven.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the barley is tender.
6. Mix in the Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper before serving. Enjoy!

2) Pearl Barley Soup

Pearl barley soup is a warm and comforting dish that’s perfect for any time of the year. It combines the hearty texture of pearl barley with fresh vegetables for a nutritious meal. You can make it in just one pot, making cleanup easy.

This soup is not only filling but also flexible. You can add your favorite veggies or toss in some leftover meat for extra flavor. A touch of herbs elevates the taste, too!

Ingredients

• 1 cup pearl barley
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: herbs like thyme or parsley

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, sauté the onion, carrots, and celery over medium heat.
2. Add the pearl barley and stir for a minute.
3. Pour in the broth and diced tomatoes.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for about 45 minutes.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs as desired. Enjoy!

3) Mediterranean Barley Salad

Mediterranean Barley Salad is a delicious and healthy dish you can enjoy as a main meal or a side. It’s packed with flavors from roasted vegetables, herbs, and feta cheese.

For the salad, you will need cooked barley, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and olives. You can also add fresh herbs like parsley or dill for extra taste. The dressing typically combines olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

This salad is colorful and filling. It works great for lunch or a summer dinner. Plus, it’s easy to prepare in advance. You can make a big batch and store it in the fridge.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked barley
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup olives, sliced
• Feta cheese, crumbled
• Fresh parsley or dill
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the barley according to package instructions.
2. In a large bowl, mix the cooked barley with cucumbers, tomatoes, bell pepper, and olives.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
4. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently.
5. Top with feta cheese and fresh herbs before serving.

4) Barley-Stuffed Bell Peppers

Barley-stuffed bell peppers are a tasty and healthy option for dinner. They combine colorful bell peppers with nutritious barley for a satisfying meal. You can make them easily in your kitchen.

To start, prepare your favorite seasonings. Cooked barley pairs well with tomatoes, onions, and chickpeas. Mix these ingredients together and fill the bell peppers.

After filling the peppers, place them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. This will warm everything through and soften the peppers.

Enjoy the burst of flavors and the satisfying crunch of the peppers with each bite.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked barley
• 8 oz canned chickpeas
• 8 oz canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• ½ cup chopped onion
• 4 bell peppers (any color)
• Seasonings (like salt, pepper, and herbs)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix the cooked barley, chickpeas, tomatoes, and onion.
3. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds.
4. Fill each pepper with the barley mixture.
5. Place the peppers in a baking dish and cover with foil.
6. Bake for 10 minutes.
7. Serve warm and enjoy!

5) Barley and Spinach Stir-Fry

This barley and spinach stir-fry is a simple and tasty dish you can whip up quickly. It’s packed with nutrients and flavor. The chewy barley complements the fresh spinach perfectly.

Start by cooking the barley according to the package instructions. Once it’s tender, set it aside.

In a large skillet, heat some oil over medium heat. Then, add chopped onions and sauté until they are soft.

Next, toss in some garlic and your fresh spinach. Stir until the spinach wilts down.

Now, mix in the cooked barley and add a splash of soy sauce for flavor. Cook everything together for a few minutes to blend the tastes.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pearl barley
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook barley as per package directions.
2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Add chopped onions and sauté until soft.
4. Stir in minced garlic and fresh spinach.
5. Mix in cooked barley and soy sauce.
6. Cook for a few minutes, stirring well. Enjoy!

6) Cheesy Barley Gratin

Cheesy barley gratin is a delicious dish you can serve as a side. The creamy cheese sauce complements perfectly cooked barley. The flavor comes from onions, garlic, and thyme.

To get started, you’ll want to prepare your ingredients. The mixture is topped with crispy breadcrumbs and more cheese for added texture. Baking brings everything together to create a warm, comforting dish.

Ingredients

• 2 cups pearled barley
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme
• 6 ounces Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the barley according to package instructions.
3. Sauté onion, garlic, and thyme in butter until soft.
4. Mix cooked barley with the sautéed mixture and cheese.
5. Transfer to a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs and extra cheese.
6. Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.

7) Baked Barley with Mushrooms

Baked barley with mushrooms is a delicious and comforting dish. The combination of barley and mushrooms creates a hearty and flavorful meal that’s perfect for any occasion.

You start by cooking the barley in a tasty broth. Adding mushrooms enhances the umami flavor and makes it even more satisfying. For extra depth, consider adding onions or garlic.

This dish can be served as a main course or a side. It’s perfect for potlucks and gatherings, making it a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pearled barley
• 4 cups vegetable broth (or beef broth)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 cup chopped mushrooms
• 1 onion, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a pot, combine barley and broth. Bring to a boil.
3. In a skillet, melt butter and sauté onions until translucent.
4. Add mushrooms and cook until soft.
5. Combine barley, mushroom mixture, salt, and pepper in a baking dish.
6. Cover and bake for 30-35 minutes until barley is tender.

8) Fried Barley with Vegetables

Fried barley with vegetables is a quick and tasty dish you can easily make at home. This one-pan recipe allows you to cook everything together, making clean-up a breeze.

Start by cooking your barley until it’s tender. This usually takes around 20 minutes. Once cooked, set it aside.

Heat some vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Then, add your favorite chopped vegetables, like bell peppers, carrots, or green onions. Sauté them until they’re soft.

Stir in the cooked barley and toss everything together. You can season it with soy sauce or your choice of spices for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pearled barley
• 2 cups water
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, green onions)
• Soy sauce (to taste)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook barley in boiling water for about 20 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
3. Add chopped vegetables and sauté until soft.
4. Stir in cooked barley and mix well.
5. Season with soy sauce to taste. Enjoy!

9) Greek Barley Salad

Greek barley salad is a fresh and healthy dish that’s easy to prepare. It combines flavorful ingredients that make each bite enjoyable. You can serve it as a side or a main dish.

To make this salad, you’ll need cooked barley, which gives it a nice texture. Toss in some cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and crumbled feta cheese for flavor. A light dressing of olive oil and vinegar adds a tangy finish.

You can also add olives for a briny touch and fresh herbs like parsley for extra taste. This salad is perfect for warm days or as a quick meal anytime.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pearl barley
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 large cucumber, diced
• 200 g feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the barley in 3 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt until tender.
2. Drain and let it cool.
3. In a large bowl, combine barley, tomatoes, cucumber, and feta.
4. Drizzle olive oil and vinegar over the salad.
5. Season with salt and pepper, then mix well.
6. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes before serving.

10) Barley with Eggs and Spinach

This recipe combines hearty barley with fresh spinach and eggs. It’s a simple and healthy dish that can be enjoyed any time of day.

Start by cooking barley in vegetable broth for added flavor.

While it cooks, sauté fresh spinach until it wilts.

Once the barley is ready, mix in the spinach. Create small wells in the barley and crack an egg into each well.

Bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until the eggs are set. Serve warm, and enjoy your nutritious meal!

Ingredients

• 1 cup pearl barley
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 4 eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook barley in vegetable broth according to package instructions.

2. In a pan, sauté spinach until wilted.

3. Combine barley and spinach in a baking dish.

4. Make wells in the mixture and crack eggs into each well.

5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) until eggs are set.