Skip to main content

Fiesta Barley Salad

A bright and colorful salad with a combination of grains, veggies, and fruit.
Bowl of mandarin orange and barley salad with a wooden serving fork.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Makes: 7 cups
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

1 cup pearl barley (see Notes)
3 cups water
¼ cup raisins or other dried fruit
1 cup peas or other vegetables (fresh, frozen, or canned, drained and rinsed) (See Notes)
3 cups chopped lettuce
1 can (15 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained
½ cup sliced green onion (any type)
1 Tablespoon vinegar (rice vinegar or any other)
3 Tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Rinse or scrub fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
  3. Place barley and water in a 2 to 3 quart saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the pan and simmer until barley is tender, about 45 to 60 minutes.
  4. Rinse cooked barley in cold water for a short time. Drain and put into a large bowl.
  5. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
  6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

  • Try substituting different fruits and vegetables.
  • Cook frozen vegetables according to package directions or to 165 degrees F.
  • Pearl barley is high in fiber but is not a whole grain. If using whole grain barley (also called hulled barley), add 20 to 30 minutes to the cooking time.
  • If you have barley that is already cooked, measure about 3 ½ cups into a bowl and continue with step 3.

Comments

Did this as an all school tasting and kids were not receptive to it because the green onions had too strong of a presence. Might try substituting bell pepper or cucumber with a small amount of cilantro instead next time.

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

French Toast
Plates of French Toast dusted with powdered sugar.

French Toast

A breakfast classic, packed full of cinnamon. Top with your favorite fruits or sauces.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
5 minutes
Makes:
4 slices
Whole-Wheat Bread in a Bag
Slices of whole-wheat and oat bread.

Whole-Wheat Bread in a Bag

Enjoy this fun and unique way to make warm whole-wheat yeast bread. Kids will love mixing and kneading the dough in a bag.
Prepare:
2 ½ to 3 hours
Cook:
30 to 40 minutes
Makes:
16 slices
Red Potato and Cabbage (Colcannon)
Medium bowl of creamy potato and cabbage mix.

Red Potato and Cabbage (Colcannon)

This classic Irish dish is a satisfying combination of creamy mashed potatoes and flavorful cabbage.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Cucumber and Serrano Chile Salad
bowl of salad

Cucumber and Serrano Chile Salad

This refreshing salad will cool you down on a hot day. Perfect for a summer picnic or bbq.
Prepare:
30 minutes
Makes:
8 cups
Kiwi Popsicles
Kiwi popsicles in a bowl sitting on a table with slices of kiwi surrounding.

Kiwi Popsicles

Everyone will love these beautiful and naturally sweet and citrus-flavored treats. Perfect use for fresh or frozen kiwi and refreshing any time of year.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
8 pops
Kiwi, Banana and Apple Salad
Colorful mix of chopped fruit with dressing.

Kiwi, Banana and Apple Salad

This sweet and tangy fruit salad is a great side dish for summer BBQs, picnics and potlucks.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
3 Cups
Was this page helpful to you?
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.