Abstract: Phenolic compounds and peroxidase activity in both leaves and roots were used to assess salt tolerance in Acsad 1230 and Arig 8 barley cultivars originated from Lybia and Morocco, respectively. This assessment was carried out at Z2.1 and Z4.5 of Zadock’s scale using 70 and 140 mM NaCl treatments. Rates of soluble phenolic compounds and its various constituents were carried out using HPLC. Results indicated that Acsad 1230 is less sensitive to salt stress than Arig 8. Increased accumulation of soluble phenolic compounds and higher peroxidase activity were observed in the Acsad 1230 treated with 140 mM of NaCl. Phenolic compounds increased by 30% while peroxidase activity increase ranged from 50 and 239% at Z2.1 and Z4.5, respectively in Acsad 1230. Phenolic compounds were not affected by greater salt treatment, whereas an increase of 159% of peroxidase activity was observed in Arig 8 at Z4.5 growth stage only. Results of HPLC showed significant accumulation and modification of the composition of derived benzoic acid, several ferulic, apigenin and luteolin derivatives in extracts from leaves for both cultivars under salt stress. Extracts from roots of both cultivars showed that the profile of phenolics is characterized by an accumulation of benzoic acid, p-coumaric acid derivatives and other non identified chemical compounds. These results suggest that genetic variability for salt tolerance could be associated with phenolic compounds and peroxidase activity. The magnitude of expression of these compounds may be considered as valuable tool to select for salt stress.