If left to my own devices, I think I would make everything “Thai-inspired.” My mindset: “Hmm, you know what this ________ could use? Some cilantro, lime, and peanuts!”
First it was this Thai style green bean recipe, and now I’m at it again with this Thai-inspired barley salad. I just like Thai food way, way too much. Maybe someone should take me to Thailand one day (husband—are you reading this?).
Related: 50+ Easy BBQ Side Dishes
This salad is both filling and delicious. I love all the color! It feels very appropriate to make and take to a summer picnic. And this makes a big bowl, so do be sure you have some friends to share with if you make this. We were all munching on it at the office last week.
Thai-Inspired Barley Salad, serves 6-8 as a meal or generous side.
1 1/2 cups uncooked barley
2 ripe mangoes
1 bell pepper
1/2 red onion
2 cups edamame (if frozen, thaw first)
1/2 cup Craisins
1/2 cup peanuts
2-3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
3-5 limes, depending on size (you want about 1/2 cup lime juice)
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
salt + pepper
Chop up the mango, bell pepper, and onion into very small pieces. Give the cilantro and peanuts a rough chop. Set everything aside.
Cook the barley. Follow the package directions. This was one of my first times making barley, and I loved how easy it was. It sort of reminded me (in taste and texture) of steel cut oats. If you’re not feeling the barley, you could easily substitute quinoa or farro instead.
Extract the juice from all the limes. Combine the juice, vinegar, and honey.
Once the barley has cooled, combine all the ingredients and pour the dressing over the top. Toss well so everything gets coated in the dressing. Taste, and add salt and pepper as needed.
You’re gonna love this one. Super good for you with some unexpected (and yummy) flavors. Enjoy! xo. Emma
Revisiting this old favorite as the weather gets warmer! Wondering if you’ve ever tried freezing this and defrosting it? Any tips for freezing it?
I’ve never tried freezing this one. If you do it, please let me know how it goes? Now you’ve got me curious. 🙂
Just to start, my Mom’s name was Elsie. Happy Mother’s Day. I’m making this for our first BBQ of this young season.
Should complement the steaks and salmon nicely.
I’m so making this tonight!!
I’m loving these recipes lately!!
This looks so delicious! And very healthy! I can’t wait to try it for my family!
@shopwhiteplum
I love Thai! We eat it just about once a week and I love any excuse to put a Thai twist on a dish. Can’t wait to try this out!
xoxo
Taylor
There’s no denying it, Thai food is amazing……but it’s always, always filled with Damn Cilantro! In fact, this stupid leafy horror is trendy right now….which means, I can no longer enjoy a meal in a trendy restaurant…..because everything has cilantro….everything! I wish I could just dig into my plate and enjoy the goodness of the food but now I have to be wary of every bite as I could very well bite into that gross, gross taste that ruins everything for me 🙁 But at least I can make everything at home without the evil green! Death to cilantro!
Oh this looks so good! I’ll definitely be giving it a try.
http://erstwhilefelicity.blogspot.co.uk/
this salad looks amazing! i also wanted to point out as someone else did that i am having trouble loading your site. if i don’t use the www., it won’t load at all…
Ah, you would love Thailand! I did a veg*n cooking course while I was there, so good – you can get the cookbook for iPad https://www.maykaidee.com/products – if you love Thai food and you love veggie food then I think you’d love checking out these recipes 😉 I use them ALL THE TIME!
Pinned this for our summer picnics at the beach. Perfect to toss in with a piece of protein to grill:)
This looks really good!
ohh this looks delicious. i think i’m gonna get/make some thai food tonight, yum.
xo, cheyenne
lovely recipe!
This dish sounds Fantastic! With a vegetarian and a diabetic in the house this recipe is perfect. Going to give it a go this weekend. Thanks so much:)
Will want to start making this when we have warmer days. Looks delicious and I love Thai food. Anything like Asian hawker food reminds me so much of home. Xx
This looks so tasty and yet so easy and simple to make !!! I am always looking for easy ideas that are good to cook for just one person as a lot of recipes are hard to make for one and you end up eating it for the rest of the week !! I think I wouldn’t mid eating this one all week anyway though !!
Looks delicious !
Victoria @ Alf & Emilio
I love the color of this dish! So bright and delicious looking!
SO making this!! I love love love Thai food – especially Pad Thai and hot & sour soup 🙂 You should definitely visit Thailand – my sister’s friend went there on a mission trip and loved it — her photos were breathtaking!! I can see you doing a beautiful blog post full of colorful photographs of the people, food, culture!! I would love to read that post! <3
Looks so delicious–I’ll definitely try this!