Lemony Broccoli Barley and White Bean Salad

4.86 from 7 votes

Total Time: 35 mins

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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!

Photo of Lemony Broccoli, Barley and Bean Salad in white serving bowl garnished with parsley.

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.
Photo of barley in glass jar on dark blue background.
  • 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.
Photo of some of the ingredients for the salad in glass mixing bowl.
  • 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!
Photo of Lemony Broccoli, Barley and Bean Salad in serving bowl with parsley scattered about with white towel on pale blue background.

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

Close-up photo of Lemony Broccoli, Barley and Bean Salad in white serving bowl with serving spoon.

Serve over lettuce such as butter lettuce, arugula or spinach.  Perfect for lunch or a side salad with dinner!  Definitely NOT your momma’s old-fashioned broccoli salad!

Photo of Lemony Broccoli, Barley and Bean Salad in white serving bowl with serving spoon.

Serve on the side with:

For more delicious side salads, try my:

4.86 from 7 votes

Lemony Broccoli Barley and White Bean Salad

Lemony Broccoli, Barley and White Bean Salad is a light and lively Italian-inspired salad that's perfect for a healthful lunch or side dish for almost anything!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 -6
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Ingredients 

  • Salt
  • 1 cup pearl barley
  • 1 can (15-ounce) cannellini beans (white kidney beans), or Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 large bunch broccoli, heads and tender stems coarsely chopped (reserve stems for another use)
  • 1/2 small red onion, cut into slivers
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped Kalamata olives
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions 

  • Bring a saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the barley and boil approximately 15-18 minutes or until barley is cooked but still al dente.
  • Drain in a sieve and rinse with cold water. Drain again and set aside.
  • Combine beans, broccoli, red onion, parsley and Kalamata olives in a mixing bowl. Add drained and cooled barley.
  • Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil and garlic. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
  • Pour dressing over salad and mix well.
  • Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

SUBSTITUTIONS:
  • Can use brown rice, quinoa or farro in place of barley.
MAKE AHEAD:
  • Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Add dressing when ready to serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 506kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 10gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 22gSodium: 324mgPotassium: 716mgFiber: 13gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1658IUVitamin C: 155mgCalcium: 113mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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About Carol

Carol is a personal chef with 22 years of experience cooking food people want to eat! Here, you'll find expert techniques, time-saving tips, and flavor-packed dishes you'll be proud to serve family and friends.

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6 Comments

  1. Virgie says:

    This is very tasty. Nice way to use pantry and fridge staples. I tried this because I had a cup of barley floating around. It would be good with farro, too. Thanks for the recipe!

    1. Carol says:

      Hi, Virgie! Thanks so much and so glad you enjoyed! You’re right… I think it would be great with farro, too! Thanks again and hope you’ll try some of my other salads!

  2. Linda Smith says:

    I made this over the weekend and it was Delicious!! I had leftovers and it was even better for lunch the next day…barley didn’t get mushy at all. The lemony dressing really made this salad shine! My family loved it and I will definitely be making this again as the weather warms up. Thank you!

    1. Carol says:

      Hi, Linda, Thanks so much and so glad you and everyone enjoyed! This is definitely a great salad to make all year long! Thanks again!

  3. Wendy says:

    My mouth is watering. Looks and sounds so good and healthy. Can’t wait to try!

    1. Carol says:

      Hi, Wendy, Thanks so much and hope you enjoy! We sure did!