Barley Recipes That Are Packed With Flavor

If you have eaten barley before, you either love it or hate it. It’s a healthy grain that can be added to numerous recipes to improve the texture and make them heartier. If you are looking for some barley dishes that are full of flavor, try one of these barley recipes.

California Barley Bowl

This barley bowl is filling and satisfying. The avocado gives it a unique and creamy taste. It’s a refreshing dish that works well for lunch or dinner. It’s healthy and flavorful. It has the perfect about of fresh ingredients to keep it light and tasty.

Ingredients

• Barley
• Alfalfa sprouts
• Goat cheese
• Sunflower seeds
• Salt
• Red pepper flakes
• Avocado
• Yogurt
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Black pepper

Directions

1. Cook the barley, sprouts, cheese, salt, pepper, and sunflower seeds in a small bowl.
2. Separate the mixture into two bowls and add the avocado to the mixtures.
3. In another bowl, mix the yogurt, lemon, zest, juice, and black pepper.
4. Add the mixture to each bowl and serve.

Maple Syrup Glazed Barley and Squash Cakes

If you are on a diet that includes barley but doesn’t include cake, you can still get by with this recipe. This treat isn’t as sweet as other desserts, but it will satisfy your cravings. The squash makes the treat sweet, and the barley gives it some nice texture and flavor.

Ingredients

• Maple syrup
• Dijon mustard
• Balsamic vinegar
• Black tea
• Squash
• Olive oil
• Barley
• Mustard seeds
• White wine
• Stock
• Baby spinach
• Eggs
• Milk
• Fresh oregano leaves
• Pine nuts
• Baby arugula

Directions

Serve warm.

Barley Salad with Chicken and Corn

Barely goes great with a variety of different food including chicken and corn. If you are looking for a healthy summer salad to take to your next picnic or potluck, give this one a try. It can be served warm or cool and is full of flavor.

Ingredients

• Barley
• Pepper
• Scallion
• Fresh corn
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Grape tomatoes
• Fresh parsley
• Shredded chicken breast
• Lime juice
• Baby spinach

Directions

Add water and salt to a large pot and bring to a boil.

Tomato and Mozzarella Barley Salad

This salad combines the acidity of tomatoes and the sweetness of mozzarella to get some nice flavors. The barely compliments the other ingredients nicely but doesn’t necessarily stand out. If you like barely but don’t love it, but want to add it to your diet, this salad can help.

Ingredients

• Uncooked barley
• Veggie stock
• Fresh mozzarella
• Cherry tomatoes
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Basil leaves
• Black pepper

Directions

Cook the barley in the vegetable stock. Simmer for 30 to 40 minutes until most of the liquid is gone and the barley is soft.

Chicken Chili With Barley

Barley is great when added to soups, and this chicken chili will hit the pot on a cold or hot day. It’s hearty so you can eat it for lunch or dinner. It’s easy to make, and you can even cook it in your slow cooker while at work. It freezes nicely and tastes amazing. It’s one of the best barley recipes to try.

Ingredients

• Oil
• Onion
• Garlic
• Green pepper
• Zucchini
• Polao pepper
• Oregano
• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Salt
• Pepper
• Chicken thighs
• Pearl barley
• Water
• Green chiles
• White beans
• Lime juice
• Plain Greek yogurt
• Avocado
• Fresh cilantro
• Sharp cheddar cheese

Directions

1. In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil.
2. Add the onion, peppers, garlic, and zucchini to the pot and sauté them until soft.
3. Remove the vegetables to a plate.
4. Add the chicken to the pot with the skin down. Brown it on both sides.
5. Add the barley to the pot with some water.
6. Add the vegetables and seasoning.
7. Cook the ingredients for 45 minutes to an hour, checking and stirring often.
8. Remove the chicken and shred it.
9. Add the chiles and beans and continue to cook for 15 minutes.
10. Add lime juice and salt before serving.

Leek Barley Soup

This healthy soup is perfect for anyone on a diet or trying to eat better. It’s light and flavorful. It’s nice on a hot summer day or to serve as brunch. It only contains and few ingredients, and has a nice, fresh flavor that is satisfying but won’t leave you feeling too full. You can even serve it as an appetizer.

Ingredients

• Leek
• Ginger
• Butter
• Vegetable stock
• Water
• Barely
• Salt
• Pepper
• Scallions

Directions

1. In a large pot, melt the butter.
2. Add the leek and ginger and sauté until both are soft and tender.
3. Add chicken stock and barley and bring the liquid to a boil.
4. Turn it down and simmer until the barley is soft.
5. Add the salt and pepper.
6. Top with scallions and serve warm.

Rum and Citrus Chicken Kabobs with Stir-Fried Barley

Chicken kabobs are fun to eat, but sometimes you need something else. When served with barley then turn into a complete meal that is sure to make everyone happy. It might become one of your favorite barley recipes.

Ingredients

• Lime juice
• Orange juice
• Brown sugar
• Ginger
• Whole grain mustard
• Garlic
• Honey
• Dried chili flakes
• Chopped chives
• Rum
• Oil
• Boneless, skinless half breasts of chicken
• Barley
• Cups stock
• Bell peppers
• Shallots
• Mushrooms
• Oil
• Soy sauce

Directions

1. Make the marinade by mixing the lime, honey, and oil in a large bowl.
2. Add the chicken to the marinade and place in the fridge for at least three hours.
3. Cook the barley in the stock in a pot on the stove until soft and tender.
4. Cut the chicken and vegetables and add them to the kabobs.
5. Grill the kabobs and set aside.
6. Cook the peppers while the kabobs are cooling.
7. Add peppers to a pan and brown them. Add the barley and soy sauce.
8. Move the barley mixture to a bowl and serve the kabobs on top.

Vegetarian Barley Stuffed Squash

Barely is feeling, so it’s great for vegetarians that are craving something hearty. This barely stuffed squash is real comfort food. It tastes wonderful and can be served as a main dish or an appetizer.

Ingredients

• Acorn squash
• Basil Oil  
• Cremini mushrooms
• Barley
• Vegetable stock
• Carrots
• Pearl onions
• Brussels sprouts
• Broccoli
• Spinach

Directions

1. Slice the squash and remove the seeds.
2. Place it cut side up on a prepared baking sheet and bake until tender.
3. In a skillet, add oil, mushrooms, basil and vegetable stock.
4. Add the barley and simmer until it becomes soft and tender.
5. While the squash is cooking, begin preparing the barley, risotto style.
6. Add the vegetable to the skillet and cook until they become soft.
7. Add the spinach and cook for 2 to minutes.
8. Remove the squash from the oven and fill it with the vegetables and barley.
9. Add the basil oil to the top before serving.

Barley Cupcakes

You probably don’t think of dessert when you think of barley, but barley flour can be used to make a healthy cupcake that tastes sweet and delicious. You can top it with your favorite frosting and don’t have to feel guilty about enjoying more than one.

Ingredients

• Sugar
• Eggs
• Canola oil
• Vanilla
• Barley Flour
• Cocoa
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Buttermilk

Directions

1. Turn the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Prepare a baking pan with butter or cooking oil
3. In a bowl, mix the sugar, eggs, vanilla, and oil until creaming.
4. In a different bowl, combine the dry ingredients.
5. Add the barley flour and buttermilk and combine all the ingredients until smooth.
6. Pour into the baking pan and bake until lightly brown on top.
7. Cool the cake on wire rack and top with the icing of your choice.

Featured Image by congerdesign via Pixabay.com

Chef