Recipe combo

Barley Lentil Mushroom Pilaf

A hearty vegan Mediterranean barley pilaf with brown lentils, cremini mushrooms, carrots, onion, lemon, and parsley. Built as a satisfying one-pot family dinner with whole grains, legumes, and savory vegetables.

Loading recipe combo details...

Ingredients and instructions

Servings
4
Total time
55 min
Prep
10 min
Cook
45 min

Ingredients

  • 3 Tablespoon Olive oil - 3 tablespoons
  • 1 Count Yellow onion, diced - 1 medium, diced
  • 2 Count Carrots, diced - 2 medium, diced
  • 8 Ounce Cremini mushrooms, sliced - 8 ounces, sliced
  • 3 Count Garlic, minced - 3 cloves, minced
  • 1 Cup Pearled barley, rinsed - 1 cup, rinsed
  • 0.75 Cup Dried brown lentils, rinsed - 3/4 cup, rinsed
  • 1 Teaspoon Dried oregano - 1 teaspoon
  • 0.5 Teaspoon Ground cumin - 1/2 teaspoon
  • 3.5 Cup Water - 3 1/2 cups
  • 1.25 Teaspoon Salt - 1 1/4 teaspoons, Plus more if needed for final seasoning.
  • 0.5 Teaspoon Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon, Plus more if needed for final seasoning.
  • 2 Tablespoon Fresh lemon juice - 2 tablespoons, juiced
  • 0.5 Cup Fresh parsley, chopped - 1/2 cup, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the ingredients

    1. *Dice the onion and carrots*, *slice the mushrooms*, mince the garlic, rinse the barley and lentils, juice the lemon, and chop the parsley.

  2. Sauté onion and carrots

    2. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and carrots and cook for *5 minutes*, stirring often, until the onion is *softened and fragrant*.

  3. Brown the mushrooms

    3. Add the mushrooms and cook for *6 to 8 minutes*, stirring occasionally, until they release moisture and begin to *brown at the edges*.

  4. Toast grains, lentils, and seasonings

    4. Stir in the garlic, barley, lentils, oregano, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Cook for *1 minute*, stirring well to *coat the grains and lentils* with the seasoned oil.

  5. Simmer the pilaf

    5. Add the water and bring to a *steady boil*. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for *35 to 40 minutes*, until the barley and lentils are *tender* and most of the liquid is absorbed.

  6. Rest covered

    6. Turn off the heat and let the pilaf stand, covered, for *5 minutes* so the grains can *finish steaming*.

  7. Finish and serve

    7. Stir in the lemon juice and parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with *salt and black pepper* if needed, then serve the pilaf *warm as a main course*.