Greek-style Barley Mediterranean Salad
Fresh, crisp, and full of Mediterranean flavor, this healthy Greek-style barley salad combines tender barley, crunchy vegetables, kalamata olives, feta cheese, and a simple homemade Greek dressing. Serve it as a side dish or add your favorite protein for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Salad
- 3 cups cooked and cooled barley
- 1 green bell pepper (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- ¾ English cucumber (peeled, seeded, and quartered into 1-inch pieces)
- 5 roma tomatoes (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- ¼ cup red onion (thinly sliced)
- ½ cup whole pitted kalamata olives (halved are fine also)
- 1 (8-ounce) block feta cheese (cut into ½-inch chunks)
Dressing
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 3½ tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1½ teaspoons dried oregano (or 1½ tablespoons fresh)
- 1 teaspoon dried dill (or 1 tablespoon fresh)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, dill, salt, and pepper until combined.
- Add barley, bell pepper, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, olives, and feta to a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss until evenly coated.
- Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours to let the flavors blend. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Video
Kori's Tips
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TIPS: Roma tomatoes or cherry tomatoes work best because they contain less juice and help keep the salad from becoming watery. Removing the cucumber seeds helps reduce excess moisture. For even better flavor, make the dressing ahead of time and refrigerate it for a few hours before using.
VARIATIONS: Swap barley for cooked pasta to turn this into a Mediterranean pasta salad. Stir in grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas for a heartier meal. Feel free to adjust the vegetables, olives, or feta to suit your taste.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Serve alongside grilled chicken, steak, salmon, lamb, or Mediterranean-inspired main dishes. This salad is also great for meal prep, picnics, and potlucks.
Nutrition
Calories: 431kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 14gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 758mgPotassium: 516mgFiber: 13gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 590IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 189mgIron: 3mg
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