• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Live-In Kitchen logo

  • Recipes
  • About
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Work Together
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Vegan Recipes

    Vegan Potluck Barley Salad

    Lindsay Moe

    395 shares
    Vegan Potluck Barley Salad #vegan #potluck #barbecue #memorialday #barley #salad #kale #beans
    Vegan Potluck Barley Salad #vegan #potluck #barbecue #memorialday #barley #salad #kale #beans
    Jump to Recipe
    Vegan Potluck Barley Salad - A high protein, hearty salad perfect for summer! #vegan #vegetarian #salad #kale #beans #barley #nomayo

    This Vegan Potluck Barley Salad is a great idea for taking to potlucks, picnics, and barbecues!

    top view image of  big bowl of barley salad with two forks on teh right and stripe towel on the left. Small white bowl of  barley salad above bigger bowl.

    Have you had your first party of the summer yet? It needs a barley salad!

    I know, we still technically have one more month of spring, but let’s be real. Summer starts THIS WEEKEND with Memorial Day!

    If you’re looking to live your best food life this weekend, don’t forget about this list of 35 recipes to rock your summer that I came up with last year. I’m proud to say I made them ALL.

    close up image of small white bowl with barley salad on red picnic table with bigger bowl of barley salad in background.

    Today we’re talking about being vegan at a potluck. Maybe you feel like a Debbie Downer showing up and saying no thank you to all the burgers, hot dogs, and creamy potato salads lining the tables.

    Vegetarians are usually in the same boat, but at least you can throw a piece of cheese on a bun to survive until you get home.

    I love how hearty this barley salad is, so you won’t be stuck eating just chips and salsa if choosing to abstain from meat at a party or potluck!

    topview image of small wihte bowl with barley salad and  bigger bowl of barley salad  in corner of image.

    How to make barley salad

    It all starts off with pearl barley, which I love for it’s heartiness. I recommend cooking up a bunch at one time. From there it can be frozen, or used all week in soups, salads, and grain bowls.

    You’ll do best to follow the instructions on your package of barley, otherwise to make 3 cups of cooked pearl barley you should bring 1 cup pearl barley and 3 cups water to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until most of the liquid has been absorbed, 40-50 minutes.

    close up image of big bowl of barley salad with spoon in bowl

    So what else goes into this vegan party dish? We’re adding super healthy kale, tender white beans, more veggies, herbs, and a light oil dressing.

    When it comes down to it we’re hitting plenty of food groups, textures, and flavors. That’s what makes this one of the best grain salads I’ve tried!

    top view image of small bowl with barley salad with two forks nearby and portion of barley salad in big bowl in corner

    This vegan potluck barley salad can be customized! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

    • You can omit either the barley, kale, or beans and still have a substantial salad (omitting the barley will make this a gluten-free vegan salad)
    • Omit the oil, vinegar, parsley, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes, useing your favorite Italian dressing to taste instead
    • Substitute your favorite leafy green for the kale such as spinach or arugula
    • Add feta, gorgonzola, or shaved parmesan cheese (not vegan)
    • Meat eaters can add cooked, diced chicken or shrimp (also not vegan)

    More salad recipes

    • Israeli Couscous Salad
    • Vegan Orzo Pasta Salad
    • Quinoa Salad with Balsamic Tofu
    • Caesar Pasta Salad
    top view image of three white bowls with barley salad on red picnic table

    If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!

    sign up for our newsletter graphic
    close up image of small white bowl with barley salad on red picnic table with bigger bowl of barley salad in background.

    Vegan Potluck Barley Salad

    A hearty vegan barley salad that’s great for summer potlucks and barbecues.
    3.50 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Prep Time: 50 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 324kcal
    Author: Lindsay Moe

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups kale, stems removed and torn into bite-size pieces
    • 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 3 cups cooked pearl barley
    • 15 ounces canned white beans, such as cannellini, rinsed and drained
    • ½ red onion, thinly sliced
    • 1 cucumber, cubed
    • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
    • ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
    • ¼-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    • Coarse kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions

    • In a large bowl, drizzle olive oil over kale and massage with your hands until completely incorporated. Add the cooked barley, white beans, red onion, cucumber, red wine vinegar, parsley, oregano, thyme, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir gently to combine. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.

    Notes

    How to cook 3 cups of pearl barley: Bring 1 cup uncooked pearl barley and 3 cups water to a boil in a large pot. Cover, reduce the heat, and simmer 40-50 minutes until the barley is tender and the water is absorbed. Allow to sit covered off the heat for 5 minutes before using.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 324kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 19mg | Potassium: 599mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2500IU | Vitamin C: 32.4mg | Calcium: 112mg | Iron: 4.1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @theliveinkitchen or tag #theliveinkitchen!

    More Vegan Recipes

    • Vegan tofu bowl on a checked napkin next to lemons.
      Vegan Tofu Bowl
    • High Protein Fresh Vegan Salad with Hummus in a bowl.
      High Protein Vegan Salad with Hummus
    • Ginger tahini dressing in a small bowl on top of a blue and white striped napkin next to lemons and fresh ginger.
      Ginger Tahini Dressing
    • Crispy tofu in a white square bowl garnished with parsley.
      Air Fryer Tofu

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Anna says

      May 26, 2018 at 11:25 am

      This looks great to prep ahead of time and have for lunch throughout the week!

      Reply
      • Lindsay Moe says

        May 28, 2018 at 9:19 am

        Totally!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    lindsay moe in a kitchen with glasses on shelves behind her

    Hi, I'm Lindsay! I've been creating easily customizable vegetarian recipes since 2011. I love the outdoors, brownies, and brand new books. I live and work in La Crosse, Wisconsin and founded Wild Flour Media to expand on my love for food photography and videography to my community and beyond.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • single serving vegan cookie dough on a spoon
      Vegan Cookie Dough for One
    • featured image of two shot glasses with buttery nipple shot
      Buttery Nipple Shot
    • zesty cream cheese stuffed mini peppers close up
      Zesty Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers
    • single serving lemonade in a glass with lemons
      Single Serving Lemonade

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Lindsay
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Statement

    Extras

    • Newsletter
    • Resources
    • On the Side

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with Me
    • Wild Flour Media

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 The Live-In Kitchen

    Please read my Privacy Policy.
    395 shares