24 Simple Barley Recipes

Get ready for amazing barley dishes that will make your taste buds dance with joy!

From soup to pudding, barley is a grain with a lot of versatility.

It can be used in the form of porridge or as a base for soups and stews.

It has a nice nutty flavor, and it doesn’t cause any stomach problems.

Barley is also packed with fiber and can help lower cholesterol.

It’s also high in B vitamins and magnesium.

So, if you’re looking for ways to incorporate this ancient grain into your diet, check out these recipes.

1. Tuscan Bean And Barley Stew With Kale

This simple yet satisfying dish is a hearty, comforting meal that’ll keep you warm and fed for hours.

The ingredients in this bean and barley stew are high-quality, but it’s not as expensive as many recipes.

That being said, if you can find it, dried beans are one of the best vegetables for cooking.

(They’re super inexpensive!)

The broth is thick and flavorful with a hint of sweetness from the kombu seaweed.

It’s creamy and full of flavor.

2. Chicken Barley Soup

I’m sure you have a lot of leftover chicken, right?

If it’s not in the crockpot, you can always pull it out of the freezer and thaw it first.

Next time you use chicken, try this recipe.

It’s hearty and warm with just the right amount of flavors.

If you want to change it up a bit, try adding some greens or beans instead of the barley.

3. Barley Spinach And Mushrooms

The only downside to this recipe is that it doesn’t work well in a casserole dish.

It needs to be baked in the oven, and you’ll just have to make sure it’s cooked thoroughly.

If you can bake your foods, though, this is an excellent choice.

It has a mild sweetness with a meaty texture thanks to the mushrooms.

The spinach adds both leafy greens and flavor, while the barley adds some more carbs.

4. Layered Mexican Barley Casserole

This layered Mexican barley casserole is a great way to get your kids involved in the kitchen.

Aside from the layers, this dish doesn’t take very long to make.

You’ll cook the barley in stock with Mexican flavors and seasonings in just 25 minutes.

The cornbread adds even more tasty flavor to this recipe.

It also helps with the moistness!

When you think about it, there are plenty of reasons to eat Mexican food for breakfast or lunch.

But if it weren’t for this casserole, I bet you wouldn’t be able to choose between dishes.

5. Hearty Beef Barley Soup

Looking for a hearty, healthy soup?

This heart-warming dish will warm you up from your toes to the top of your head.

Made up of ground beef, onions, carrots, and potatoes in a rich broth, it’s packed with flavor.

The only slight difference I see is that instead of noodles, it’s made with barley instead.

It takes about 20 minutes to make this heart-warming bowl.

But don’t worry – it’s busy-work-worthy!

6. Pearl Barley Risotto with Lemon, Parsley & Parmesan

Have you ever had a dish that hit the spot, but then left you wanting more?

This risotto recipe is exactly that.

It’s rich and creamy with just enough crunchy veggies.

The lemon, parsley, and parmesan give it such a bright tart flavor.

Every bite will taste like sunshine!

7. Barley Salad With Lemon Dressing

Make your salad a little more exciting with this delicious barley salad!

You’ll love the light lemon dressing that’s perfect for any spring green.

Plus, it’s so easy to whip up!

Plus, you can customize this recipe to make it even more incredible.

Add or omit the barley shanks, and you’ll have a hearty dish that bursts with flavor.

8. Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables Barley

This Mediterranean roasted vegetable barley is a healthy, earthy side dish that’s perfect for any occasion.

I love these added to a main course, but they’re also good as a side or as an appetizer.

Serve them with some crusty bread and smear some homemade Greek yogurt on top before digging in!

9. Creamy Mushroom Barley Soup

Mushroom barley soup is a hearty, wholesome meal for colds or flu.

It’s just begging to be made into a warm and cozy stew on a chilly winter night.

Serve this soup with crusty bread or crackers for dipping.

Also, enjoy it as is or add some cheese or chutney.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/570198002834140813/

10. Barley Risotto With Italian Sausage And Peppers

This risotto is a great way to use up your leftover barley.

I like to add some chopped bell peppers for added flavor.

If you’re craving something rich and cheesy, this recipe is for you!

It’s also easy enough to make on the weekend when you have more time on your hands.

11. Breakfast Barley Porridge

Porridge is such a versatile breakfast, and this recipe is no exception.

It’s full of barley, whole wheat flour, spices, and nutritional yeast.

It has great flavor from the oats and brown sugar.

Each spoonful is warm, filling, and comforting.

12. Barley Pilaf

Pilaf is a staple in Pakistani cuisine.

It’s made with whole grain, making it healthy and filling.

This barley pilaf recipe is great to have on hand because it can be served warm or cold.

It has a mild flavor that’s perfect for lentils or even chicken.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/321937073375411019/

13. Chicken And Barley Stew

This hearty chicken and barley stew has a flavorful broth that makes you feel like you’re in heaven.

It’s so good, it almost feels like a dish your mom would make.

But the secret to this recipe is the chicken stock!

The meaty chicken simmers in the rich broth for hours, making it so tender and flavorful.

The barley adds a lovely flavor and helps thicken up the broth.

14. Barley Soup

This hearty bowl of soup is ideal for the cold months.

It’s a warm and comforting dish that’ll leave you feeling cozy.

The barley provides much needed starch to fill your tummy, while the veggies provide nutrition and color.

It’s so good, it doesn’t even need any toppings!

15. Barley Breakfast Delight

Delish

This oatmeal loaf is perfect for your morning cravings.

It’s juicy, sweet, and full of brown sugar.

It doesn’t matter whether you add banana slices or crushed graham crackers to the topping.

Whatever you choose, it will be awesome.

15. Barley with Lemon and Kale

This dish of barley, kale, and lemon is a simple but excellent way to enjoy the joy of green vegetables.

The whole thing only takes 30 minutes to make.

It’s plant-based, gluten-free, and vegetarian-friendly.

It’s also vegan and paleo-approved.

If you love root vegetables like kale or carrots, this is the perfect recipe for you!

16. Tomato Pearl Barley Risotto

The next time you’re feeling a little peckish, whip up this tomato pearl barley risotto.

It’s loaded with tender white rice and juicy tomatoes topped with a creamy broth.

This recipe is very similar to the one above, but it includes pearl barley, which makes it lighter and slightly more decadent.

So if you want the ultimate comfort food without the calories, give this risotto a try.

17. Pearl Barley And Pumpkin Risotto

Pearl barley and pumpkin are the perfect ingredients for a comforting risotto.

The barley is bursting with flavor, while the pumpkin brings a lovely sweetness to balance out the earthiness of the rice.

18. Chicken And Baked Barley

If you’re on the hunt for a flavorful weeknight meal, chicken and barley is the perfect choice.

It’s hearty and healthy with a meaty bite from the chicken.

Plus, there are plenty of veggies in every bite! It’s quite the feast.

Serve this chicken and barley over brown rice or quinoa.

Add some grilled veggies to soak up all that delicious sauce!

19. White Bean & Barley Salad With Greek Vinaigrette

If you’re looking for a healthy option to serve at your next potluck, this white bean and barley salad is the answer!

This recipe ensures you get all the nutrition of white beans without any excess calories.

While it does contain barley, it doesn’t add too much starch.

Instead, this salad is full of vegetables that are incredibly nutrient-dense.

The addition of zucchini and radishes gives it plenty of color, while the olive oil adds just a touch of flavor.

And don’t worry; there isn’t nary an ounce of meat in sight!

20. Barley Tabbouleh Salad

Tabbouleh is one of my favorite salads.

The combination of warm, fresh flavors makes this simple dish a show-stopper.

This recipe uses bulgur for its protein and a bit of crunch.

It also calls for some dried mint to add a light touch of minty flavor.

If you’re serving it as a main course, feel free to add grilled chicken or fish if you want extra protein and flavor.

21. Coconut Barley Pudding

Coconut pudding is a creamy, comforting dessert that’s perfect for lazy Sunday mornings.

It’s typically made with rice and coconut milk, making it healthy and low-carb (although you can use a thickener if you prefer).

I love the combination of coconutty coconut sauce and sweet barley flour!

Once your pudding is cooked, pour over your sauce.

You can also garnish it with fresh fruit or nuts for an extra kick.

22. Ash – Persian Style Legume Soup

Ash is a stew made with legumes like chickpeas, lentils, and beans.

It’s hearty and savory, with plenty of spices to taste.

This Persian-style soup is also super nutritious and packed with flavor.

The combination of carrots, onion, garlic, herbs, and spices gives it a wonderfully complex taste that you won’t want to miss out on.

23. Mexican Street Corn Barley Salad

Mexican street corn is already delicious on its own, but this recipe takes it to the next level!

This salad may be served as a side dish or appetizer, but it tastes best when you add a few extra toppings.

I like the briny sweetness of chili lime dressing and sesame seeds.

But adding crumbled bacon and chopped jalapeños will make your tastebuds jump for joy.

24. Egyptian Barley Salad

This recipe is the perfect light meal that’s traditionally served with a main course.

It’s full of flavorful ingredients like lemon juice and olive oil, along with crunchy vegetables and crisp herbs.

The best part about this recipe is that it’s easy to make at home.

You can also customize it however you like.

You can add extra cheese or dry-toasted nuts for an extra kick!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AWNUr1jjQrq6QmZa9B_cYYzPM8iw9dY9OSYpnw7WkEeOJZ_A3sAe_j0/

---