Beet Barley Salad Carve Your Craving

I always loved salad as a main meal rather than just a mere side. That means it has to be filled with healthy carbs in the form of complex grains and lentils/beans. Lots of leafy greens for essential vitamins, fiber, and nutrients, a serving of fruit. Cheese and nuts or seeds. Any additional low-carb veggies like cucumber for extra crunch and texture. Lastly, a good salad dressing is very important for overall taste! If you want more salad inspirations then try my sweet potato quinoa salad as well as this zero oil chickpea pesto pasta salad. On cooler days I like to indulge in a warm salad like this Masala Barley Buddha bowl.

Ingredients to make a delicious Barley Salad

Spring Mix – I like to use leafy greens like kale, arugula, spinach because they have a better nutrition profile as compared to plain lettuce. You can use a mix of greens of your choice. Pearl Barley– It is so easy to include this whole grain in your diet. Pressure cooking makes it easy to cook. I like to make a big batch and use it throughout the week. Chickpea– A great source of protein and complex carbs to keep you full for a long time. Canned or freshly cooked chickpea from scratch works the same way. Beetroot – Raise your hands if you are not using enough beets in your diet. Beets are an I have used steamed beets for this recipe. Roasted beets work well too. Goat Cheese – Cheese is completely optional. It is for making your salad tastier, filling, and increasing the protein intake. Oranges – I love to use fruits in my salad. Here oranges or apples pair very well with beets. Adding fruits adds a fresh sweet layer to your salad. Walnuts – A very good way to get your nut serving is by adding it to salads. Nuts are a powerhouse of energy and provide a delightful crunch to the salad. Salad dressing I have used a basic classic vinaigrette recipe made with extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and agave being the key ingredients for the salad dressing. It provides a good zing to this salad.

Possible Substitutes

Use your choice of salad mix or chopped leafy greens.Swap chickpea for white beans or kidney beans.Substitute goat cheese with feta or chopped fresh mozzarella.Add your choice of fruit like sliced apples, strawberries, or anything seasonal instead of oranges. (Don’t use bananas or melon please!)If vegan, disregard the cheese. Or use dairy-free cheese.

Important tips to make a good beet barley salad.

Cook beet and barley pot in pot for efficiency, although not necessary.Always toss the salad just before eating to prevent it to be soggy.You may increase or decrease the amount of grain and beans to your liking.

Make ahead of time tips

This salad makes an ideal make ahead of meal prep recipe. You can boil barley and beets up to 3-4 days ahead of time and use them as needed.

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