Description
This Feta & Cranberry Barley Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette is a perfect mix of chewy pearl barley, sweet-tart cranberries, creamy feta, and crunchy toasted nuts, all tossed in a bright lemon vinaigrette. It’s fresh, hearty, and packed with nutrients, making it a fantastic side dish or meal-prep salad. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or as a dish to bring to your next gathering!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad
- 1 cup pearl barley
- 2 cups water or vegetable broth
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup toasted walnuts or almonds, chopped
- 2 cups baby spinach, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
For the Lemon Vinaigrette
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Barley – Rinse 1 cup of pearl barley under cold water. Cook it in 2 cups of water or vegetable broth according to package instructions (about 25–30 minutes). Drain and let it cool.
- Make the Lemon Vinaigrette – In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Assemble the Salad – In a large bowl, combine cooled barley, dried cranberries, feta cheese, toasted walnuts, chopped spinach, and parsley.
- Dress & Toss – Drizzle the lemon vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
- Serve & Enjoy – Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Notes
- For extra flavor, cook the barley in vegetable broth instead of water.
- For a vegan version, omit the feta or use a plant-based alternative.
- For more crunch, add pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.
- This salad stores well for up to 4 days in the fridge—perfect for meal prep!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 15mg