Skip to main content

Wheat Berry Salad

Whole grains and fresh vegetables make this salad filling and satisfying.
Cooking for a Crowd

Cooking for a Crowd

Use these recipe sheets to prepare for larger groups:

Kid friendly
Bowl of wheat berries with a colorful vegetable mix.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 60 minutes
Makes: 6 Cups
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

1 cup dry wheat berries (about 7 ounces)
1 ¼ cups diced carrot
1 ¼ cups diced red bell pepper (about 2 small peppers)
1 cup diced celery
½ cup sliced green onion
¼ cup minced fresh parsley
½ cup rice vinegar
2 Tablespoons water
1 ½ teaspoons vegetable oil
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Rinse or scrub fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
  3. Place dry wheat berries in a large saucepan and add water to cover by 3 inches. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and continue to simmer for 1 hour, or until the wheat berries are tender but still chewy. Drain the cooked wheat berries and rinse with cold water. Place in a large mixing bowl.
  4. Add the carrot, celery, bell pepper, onion and parsley to the wheat berries in the mixing bowl.
  5. In a separate bowl, stir together the rice vinegar, water, vegetable oil, garlic powder and salt. Pour dressing over the salad and mix until salad is well coated.
  6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

  • Wheat berries are whole kernels of wheat.  Many different kinds are sold in grocery stores.  Try looking for soft white or hard red wheat berries.  Farro, spelt, Kamut®, and freekeh are all kinds of whole-wheat kernels.  Whole-grain barley is also an excellent choice in this recipe.
  • To use other grains, substitute 2 cups cooked grain for the wheat berries and skip step 1.  Follow package directions for the cooking time and amount of liquid needed for each grain.

Comments

This is a nice, large salad that is perfect for a potluck or large family dinner.  Very filling and colorful.  I would highly recommend allowing this recipe to sit for several hours or even overnight.  I found the flavors were much better the second day.  I used hard red wheat berries.  They cook more evenly if you let them soak for a while before cooking.  Also - I like substituting orange juice for part of the vinegar in the dressing to add a little sweetness.  Thanks!

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Stovetop Buckwheat
Bowls of cooked buckwheat.

Stovetop Buckwheat

This nutrient-rich grain has an earthy and slightly nutty with a chewy texture.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
15 to 20 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Mashed Parsnips and Potatoes
Bowl of seasoned and mashed parsnip and potato.

Mashed Parsnips and Potatoes

Hearty, buttery root vegetables mashed with creamy yogurt and seasoned with garlic.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
25 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Dry-Roasted Garbanzo Beans
Bowl filled to the brim with baked and seasoned garbanzo beans.

Dry-Roasted Garbanzo Beans

Enjoy these protein and fiber-filled garbanzo beans as a snack, or add them to your favorite dishes for crispy texture.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Vegetarian Borscht
Bowls of vibrant red beet and vegetable soup with a dollop of sour cream and parsley.

Vegetarian Borscht

Borscht is a soup that was first made in Eastern Europe hundreds of years ago. This variation includes beets with cabbage, beans and other vegetables.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
50 minutes
Makes:
12 cups
Spinach and Chicken Italian
Baking dish with chicken, spinach, sauce and cheese.

Spinach and Chicken Italian

Tender chicken breast topped with spinach, tomato sauce and creamy cheese, then baked for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
7 cups
Savory Turnips
Bowl of browned turnips with parsley.

Savory Turnips

Root veggies cooked in a savory broth and finished with zesty lemon and fresh herbs.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
3 Cups