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

Oh My Veggies logo

  • Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Vegan Recipes
    • Vegetarian Main Dishes
    • Vegetarian Appetizers
    • Vegetarian Breakfast Recipes
    • Vegetarian Side Dishes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Snack Recipes
    • Drinks
    • Sauces, Spreads and Condiments
    • Holiday Recipes
    • From our Readers
  • Cooking Tips & Hints
    • Cooking Tips
    • Plant-Based Nutrition
    • Product Reviews
  • Shop Cookbooks
  • About Us
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Find Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • About Us
  • Free Meal Plan
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Find Recipes
    • Cookbooks
    • About Us
    • Free Meal Plan
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Oh My Veggies » Vegetarian Recipes » Vegetarian Side Dishes

    Mushroom Barley Pilaf

    Published: Mar 26, 2017 · by Lisa · Updated: Jan 11, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
    Mushroom Barley Pilaf

    This hearty Mushroom Barley Pilaf is made with tender barley and a savory mix of cremini and shiitake mushrooms. And it's 100% vegetarian and vegan friendly too!

    Mushroom Barley Pilaf on a white serving plate
    Jump to:
    • Helpful Cooking Tips
    • More Recipes You Might Like
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    I love making rice pilafs, but sometimes, I like experimenting with different types of grains too.

    I have found that pearled barley is a great alternative to rice. It's chewier, more toothsome and the grains absorb all the wonderful flavors of the broth that it's cooked in.

    Plus, pearl barley is incredibly hearty, so a bowl of this pilaf will definitely fill you up!

    And did I mention yet that this is a one pot recipe? You know those are my favorites. After all, I wrote an entire cookbook full of one pot vegan recipes!

    chopping mushrooms for the Mushroom Barley Pilaf

    Helpful Cooking Tips

    For this mushroom barley pilaf, I'm using a mixture of cremini and shiitake mushrooms. Shiitake mushrooms have a more intense mushroom flavor, so they add another layer of rich and savory flavor to the dish. You can swap them for your own favorite mushroom varieties too.

    Oh, and if you love mushrooms, go check out these incredible mushroom recipes too!

    You will want to dry sauté the mushrooms, essentially cooking the mushrooms without any oil. Mushrooms naturally release juices as they cook, so you can skip the oil for that step!

    A great way to repurpose your leftovers is to add the barley pilaf to your vegetable soups! You can even make your own vegetable broth and simply mix this in for a quick and easy soup.

    One important thing to note is that barley is not gluten-free. If you want to make a gluten-free version of this dish, use traditional rice instead of barley and reduce the amount of broth to 3 cups total.

    And if you love simple recipes like this one, go grab a copy of my free 5-day meatless meal plan!

    Mushroom Barley Pilaf being cooked in a large pan

    More Recipes You Might Like

    If you love this mushroom barley pilaf, be sure to check out these other tasty ideas:

    • Basmati and Cauliflower Rice Pilaf
    • Wild Rice Pilaf with Brussel Sprouts and Sage
    • Leek and Wild Mushroom Stew

    While you're here, be sure to grab our FREE 5-Day Meatless Meal Plan. It's packed with tasty recipes to make vegetarian cooking easy and delicious!

    Recipe

    Mushroom Barley Pilaf

    Mushroom Barley Pilaf

    This hearty mushroom barley pilaf is made with tender barley and a savory mix of cremini and shiitake mushrooms.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Email Recipe
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Course: Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American, Asian
    Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
    Keyword: how to make pilaf, Mushroom Barley Pilaf, pilaf recipe, vegan pilaf, vegetarian pilaf
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 388kcal
    Author: Oh My Veggies

    Ingredients

    • 12 ounces cremini mushrooms sliced
    • 4 ounces shiitake mushrooms stemmed and sliced
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 cup yellow onion diced
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 ½ cups pearl barley
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 3 ½ cups vegetable broth
    • 1 ½ tablespoons fresh thyme roughly chopped
    • Zest from 1 lemon
    • ¼ cup chopped parsley
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Dry sauté the mushrooms by adding them to a large sauté pan and cooking them over medium-high heat. Cook the mushrooms for about 4 to 5 minutes, until they start releasing their liquids, stirring frequently. Transfer the mushrooms and juices to a bowl. Wipe down the pan.
    • Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the pan over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the onion and salt, and cook for about 2 minutes, until the onion begins to soften. Add the barley and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and stir everything for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until the garlic is fragrant.
    • Add the mushrooms and their juices into the pan, then stir in the vegetable broth and thyme. Raise heat and bring the broth to boil. Reduce the heat a little so that the broth is simmering. Cover the pot, and let the barley cook for 25 to 30 minutes, until the broth has been fully absorbed and the barley is tender. Remove from heat and let the barley sit for 5 minutes.
    • Stir in the lemon zest and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve.

    Notes

    S

    Nutrition

    Calories: 388kcalCarbohydrates: 72gProtein: 11gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 1132mgPotassium: 782mgFiber: 14gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 896IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 67mgIron: 3mg
    Craving more veg-friendly recipes? Shop our collection of vegetarian and vegan cookbooks, including our new Vegan Thanksgiving and Vegan Christmas cookbooks!
    « Creamy Vegan Pesto Pasta
    Indian-Inspired Chilli Chickpea Pizza »

    Vegan Main Dishes, Vegan Recipes, Vegan Side Dishes, Vegetarian Main Dishes, Vegetarian Recipes, Vegetarian Side Dishes mushrooms, side dishes

    Lisa Lin from Healthy Nibbles and Bits

    About Lisa

    Lisa Lin is the writer and photographer behind Healthy Nibbles & Bits, where she shares simple, healthy recipes. She grew up in San Francisco and spent time living in China and Washington, D.C. before moving back to California. Her recipes are often inspired by her time in China and travel throughout Southeast Asia.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Izzy | Pinch of delight says

      March 26, 2017 at 4:07 pm

      This looks so delicious!
      - Izzy

      Reply
    2. Maja Harder says

      March 27, 2017 at 4:00 am

      This sounds really tasty - love shiitake mushrooms. And that this is a healthy choice just makes it better.

      Reply
    3. Annie Bisgaard Ravneberg Hansen says

      January 20, 2021 at 10:03 pm

      5 stars
      I have made this 3 times since New Years and we love it! Keeps well on fridge easy to heat up. Shredded a little Asiago on top! Filling on its own as a meal. Warm and rich tasting comfort food.

      Reply

    Something to say? Leave a comment. Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    image of the author

    Nicole is a life long vegetarian and the author of the popular vegan cookbook, Weeknight One Pot Vegan Cooking. She loves sharing her recipes and showing the world just how easy and delicious meatless meals can be!
    Learn more here.

    signature of author

    get a free 5 day vegetarian meal plan

    shop our vegetarian and vegan cookbooks

    Trending Recipes

    • Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats
    • Spinach Mushroom Frittata
    • Strawberry Kiss Cookies 
    • Easter Bunny Cupcakes

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    • Shop Cookbooks
    • About Us
    • Work with Me
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use

    Still hungry? Check out our delicious family of blogs.

    link to VegKitchen.com - vegan recipes website
    link to deliciouseveryday.com - a vegetarian and vegan recipes website
    link to allshecooks.com - a food blog
    link to wandertooth.com - a travel website

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Hook & Porter Media

    2.1K shares