Lemony Broccoli Barley and White Bean Salad

Lemony Broccoli, Barley and White Bean Salad is a light and lively Mediterranean-inspired salad that’s perfect for a healthful lunch or side dish for almost anything!

The inspiration behind this recipe:

With all the delicious winter food I’ve been indulging in lately like my Italian Pot Roast and Cheesy Skillet Chicken Pot Pie, I’ve been craving something on the lighter side.

I actually purchased this broccoli to make another wintry dish that involved cheese but my tastebuds weren’t feeling it.  Besides a green side salad this fall and winter, it felt like ages since I had a really good vegetable salad.

When most people think “broccoli salad,” the classic with the dried fruit, bacon, cheddar cheese and mayo dressing probably comes to mind.  Honestly, I’ve never been a fan of that salad.

Bye-bye old-fashioned broccoli salad!  Enter the broccoli salad reinvented with this Lemony Broccoli, Barley and White Bean Salad!

How to make Lemony Broccoli,  Barley and White Bean Salad:

This fresh, vibrant lemony broccoli salad is super easy to make!

• First, you’ll need to cook the barley.  Simply bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil and add the barley.  Let that boil away for 15 minutes or so until the barley is cooked but still al dente.
• Drain it in a sieve and rinse with cold water to cool it down.  Let the barley drain thoroughly before adding it to the salad.

• Combine fresh, chopped broccoli, red onion, drained and rinsed canned white beans such as cannellini (white kidney beans) or Great Northern.  Cannellini beans have a creamier texture while Great Northern are a little more “grainy” which is fine for a crunchy fresh salad such as this one.

• Add the remaining ingredients:  Chopped Kalamata olives, chopped fresh parsley, garlic and then mix up a simple, simple lemon dressing.  Season to taste with salt and black pepper….
• Stir and enjoy!

Light, healthful and flavorful Lemony Broccoli, Barley and White Bean Salad!

Perfect for lunch or a side salad with dinner!  Definitely NOT your momma’s old-fashioned broccoli salad!

Serve on the side with:

• Grilled fish, chicken, beef or pork
• Buttery Blackened Steak Bites with Gorgonzola
• Pan-Seared Sea Scallops with Watermelon – Tomato Salsa
• Shrimp in Avocado Butter
• Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Peach – Chipotle Barbecue Sauce
• Sweet and Spicy Barbecue Chicken Sliders

For more delicious side salads, try my:

• Mediterranean Farro Salad
• Yogurt Ranch Cucumber Salad
• Cauliflower Artichoke Tabbouleh
• Middle Eastern Vegetable Salad
• Cucumber, Red Onion and Feta Cheese Salad
• Tuscan Cherry Tomato and White Bean Salad
• Lemony Lentil Asparagus and Tomato Salad with Feta Cheese
• Warm Roasted Cauliflower and Chickpea Salad
• Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Salad

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