Skip to content

Southwestern Barley Salad

This Southwestern Barley Salad is healthy, wholesome, and packed with flavor! It’s refreshing with lime and cilantro; perfect for the season. Great for lunch, picnics, or a feel-good dinner.

Southwestern-Barley-Salad-3

Back when spring was still trying to make an appearance, I ventured downtown to Hubbys office for a lunch date.

It wasn’t a pencil skirt and heels type of date. It was a three-boys-in-tow type of date. School was out for spring break, and The Littles have such fun going downtown to have lunch with Daddy. They feel all grown up, sauntering amidst the big people in big buildings.

Our downtown family lunch spot features a fresh and delectable salad/soup/bread bar. The many salads include greens, all the fixings, pasta salads, and seasonal twists.

That is how I happened upon the most irresistible barley salad ever…

Southwestern-Barley-Salad-5

I couldn’t believe how tasty that unassuming barley salad was. Soooo glad I didn’t bypass that one.

After the first bite, I had to go back for seconds. I kindly let Hubby try some. He liked the barley concotion so much he went and got a heaping helping for himself.

But of course this amazing dish is seasonal and won’t always be available. If I’m lucky, the restaurant will bring it back next spring. Who can wait that long?

Southwestern-Barley-Salad

Needless to say, there’s only one thing that’s to be done in such a circumstance. Whip out the iPhone. Immediately Instagram it so all your friends get hungry. Scribble copious notes on a napkin, jotting down all the flavors you are tasting.

Then get yourself home to recreate it. Crazy thing is I had been on a barley kick for some time and guess what was in my pantry?  It took plenty of tasting, tweaking, and retesting. But by George, I think I’ve finally got it.

Southwestern-Barley-salad-4

This Southwestern Barley Salad is refreshing and zesty with lime and cilantro. It’s full of flavors perfect for spring and summer. It’s light and healthy, yet completely satisfying.

This is one of those easy dishes like this easy tabbouleh to bring on potlucks, picnics, and all those summer cookouts.

Southwestern Barley Salad

Enjoy all the flavors of the season with this Southwestern Barley Salad.

Did you make this?

Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!

Southwestern Barley Salad

Southwestern Barley Salad

5 from 3 ratings
This Southwestern Barley Salad is packed with delicious flavors of cilantro, lime, and seasonings. It's healthy, wholesome, and perfect for picnics or lunch.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Chill time: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Author: Amy Dong

Ingredients  

Instructions

  • Do ahead: Cook barley according to package instructions until tender (generally, boil for approx 1 hour in a large pot of salted water) Drain cooked barley in colander. Rinse, tossing, with cold water until starchiness is washed off.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Stir to combine well. Add rinsed/drained cooked barley. Stir to combine. Add additional kosher salt and pepper as needed. Let salad chill 1-2 hours, covered, for flavors to meld before serving.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 166kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 629mg | Potassium: 224mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 343IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Salad, Side
Cuisine: Southwestern

Source: Chew Out Loud 

Here are a few fabulous salads that think outside the box:

  1. Caprese Salad. So fulfilling, easy, and perfect for the season! Make delicious use of those fresh tomatoes and basil with this potluck-friendly dish.

Caprese Pasta Salad Meatless

  1. Caesar Pasta Salad. Make it easy with this luscious Caesar Pasta Salad. It easily feeds a crowd for all those summer gatherings.

Caesar Pasta Salad 2

  1. Mexican Taco Salad. I love this one for neighborhood parties. Just pre-assemble and toss right before your’e about to eat. There’s zesty, crunchy, bold deliciousness in every bite.

Mexican Taco Salad

  1. Tex Mex Quinoa with Black Beans. Perfect accompaniment for any Tex Mex meal. It’s also great for groups. Refreshingly delish!

Quinoa Tex Mex

Add a comment

Recipe Rating




11 comments

    • Susan B.
    • 5 stars

    Hello and thank you for this wonderful salad! Healthy and easy to make, it was so flavorful and refreshing on this very warm day. This recipe is a keeper!

      • Amy Dong

      Thanks so much, Susan!

    • PC
    • 5 stars

    I made this salad for the Labor Day weekend at my cabin. I was searching for something different and healthy and this met the bill and more …healthy, different and delicious. Everyone loved it. Stayed wonderfully in fridge all weekend and was brought out repeatedly for lunch side dish. This recipe is a definite keeper.

      • chewoutloud

      Yay!! Several other readers made this at their cabins as well…you all had the same idea 🙂 So happy you loved it! Thanks for rating 🙂 🙂

    • Samantha

    I have to say this salad is superb. One of the best new recipes I have made in ages. Thank you

    • Mary

    This salad is so delicious! I love having salads on hand that keep for a few days. This is both satisfying and light at the same time. A keeper for sure!

      • chewoutloud

      Thank you, Mary; we’re so happy you like this! 🙂 Thanks for coming over today!

    • Reduceri haine

    Looks simple, fresh and wonderfully tasty!

      • chewoutloud

      You’re right, Reduceri, it is 🙂 So glad you came over today. Enjoy! 🙂

        • Susan

        Everything sounds pretty tasty, only I’m wondering why you added sugar. The corn and tomatoes are already sweet, so why add even more sugar? If you need the sweetness amped up, consider a little agave syrup instead of the sugar. It’s definitely more ‘Southwestern’.
        Also, the freshness of the salad is hollerin’ for fresh garlic! (When I make it, I’m going to add a little minced fresh jalapeño)
        Muchas gracias! Domo arigato, and thank you!!!

          • Amy Dong

          Great ideas, Susan. Thank you!

Get our free email series: 5 Easy Recipes in 30 Minutes or Less

Plus our newest recipes each week