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Barley Recipes That Will Make You Love This Unsexy Grain

Barley isn't the sexiest grain. But who wants a sexy grain anyway?
Alison Spiegel

Barley isn't the most sexy grain, but who wants a sexy grain anyway? In the height of winter especially, we want a grain that will warm us like a very unsexy snuggy and nourish us like an even unsexier cup of Jewish penicillin. Barley is wholesome, and we like it that way.

Barley is also incredibly versatile. Beer isn't the only thing this grain has going for it. It holds up well in soups and adds a nice texture and heartiness to salads. Barley also makes a perfect substitute for rice or risottos in most dishes, offering a pleasant nutty flavor. Did we mention it's also incredibly healthy, too? It's even been called a superfood. This is a grain you could take home to meet the parents.

Here are 19 recipes that will convince you to give barley a chance this winter, and then some.

1
Radish And Pecan Grain Salad
Food52
Get the Radish And Pecan Grain Salad recipe by Amanda Hesser from Food52
2
Mushroom Barley Soup
Two Peas And Their Pod
Get the Mushroom Barley Soup recipe from Two Peas And Their Pod
3
Barley And Grilled-Vegetable Salad
Con Poulos/Food&Wine
Get the Barley And Grilled-Vegetable Salad recipe from Food & Wine
4
Creamy Barley With Tomatoes And Spinach
Kitchen Trial & Error
Get the Creamy Barley With Tomatoes And Spinach recipe by Kitchen Trial & Error
5
Grilled Corn And Barley Salad With Tomato Vinaigrette
Food52
Get the Grilled Corn And Barley Salad With Tomato Vinaigrette recipe by Jen Balletto from Food52
6
Roast Tomatoes, Onion And Pearl Barley Soup
Karolina Grochalska
Get the Roast Tomatoes, Onion And Pearl Barley Soup recipe by Senses in the Kitchen
7
Turkey Soup With Lemon And Barley
Simply Recipes
Get the Turkey Soup With Lemon And Barley recipe from Simply Recipes
8
Simple Barley Risotto
TASTE
Get the Simple Barley Risotto recipe from TASTE
9
Barley, Smoked Paprika Red Potatoes And Hard Boiled Egg
Naturally Ella
Get the Barley, Smoked Paprika Red Potatoes And Hard Boiled Egg recipe from Naturally Ella
10
Pearled Barley Salad With Apples, Pomegranate Seeds And Pine Nuts
Tina Rupp/Food&Wine
Get the Pearled Barley Salad With Apples, Pomegranate Seeds And Pine Nuts recipefrom Food & Wine
11
Black Bean And Pearl Barley Burgers
Angry Asian Creations
Get the Black Bean And Pearl Barley Burgers recipe by Angry Asian Creations
12
Roasted Cherry, Barley, And Goat Cheese Salad
Naturally Ella
Get the Roasted Cherry, Barley, And Goat Cheese Salad recipe from Naturally Ella
13
Beef And Barley Stew With Mushrooms
Simply Recipes
Get the Beef And Barley Stew With Mushrooms recipe by Simply Recipes
14
Beef And Barley Soup
The Clever Carrot
Get the Beef And Barley Soup recipe from The Clever Carrot
15
Cauliflower And Barley Salad With Toasted Almonds
The Spice Garden
Get the Cauliflower And Barley Salad With Toasted Almonds recipe by The Spice Garden
16
End-Of-Summer Barley Salad
Running To The Kitchen
Get the End-Of-Summer Barley Salad recipe by Running To The Kitchen
17
Moroccan Chickpea Barley Salad
Simply Recipes
Get the Moroccan Chickpea Barley Salad recipe by Simply Recipes
18
Barley Risotto With Roast Pumpkin And Beets
Senses in the Kitchen
Get the Barley Risotto With Roast Pumpkin And Beets recipe by Senses in the Kitchen
19
Sesame Roasted Turnips With Barley
Naturally Ella
Get the Sesame Roasted Turnips With Barley recipe from Naturally Ella

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