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)

Savory Sweet Potatoes
Heavily seasoned cubed sweet potatoes.

Savory Sweet Potatoes

A sweet and savory dish with hearty sweet potatoes and Italian seasonings. Ready in under an hour.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
2 ½ cups
Rhubarb Blueberry Crisp
Bowl of baked rhubarb and blueberries with a crumbly oat topping.

Rhubarb Blueberry Crisp

Rhubarb and blueberries with a crunchy oatmeal topping makes a delicious fruit dessert.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
4 ½ cups
Applesauce French Toast
Slices of french toast cooked with applesauce, vanilla and cinnamon are displayed on a plate.

Applesauce French Toast

A low-sugar and flavorful French toast recipe that’s perfect with your favorite toppings!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
6 Slices
Bulgur Pilaf
Mix of bulgur with savory vegetables is displayed in a serving dish.

Bulgur Pilaf

A warm and comforting meal combining whole grains and savory broth to make a simple, yet tasty side dish.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
3 Cups
Sweet and Sour Chicken
Plate of diced pineapple, vegetables and chicken served with rice.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Sweet pineapple, chicken, vegetables and a savory sauce are combined to make a delicious meal for any night of the week.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
6 Cups
Zucchini Stir-Fry
Small bowl with a tender zucchini and vegetable mix.

Zucchini Stir-Fry

Fast veggie stir-fry with lots of umami flavor. Ready in less than 30 minutes!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
4 cups