Are you tired of the same old salad routine? Looking for a way to add more variety and nutrition to your meals? Look no further than grain salads! These versatile, flavorful, and wholesome dishes are the perfect way to elevate your salad game.
Whether you're a vegetarian, vegan, or simply looking to incorporate more whole grains into your diet, grain salads are a delicious and satisfying option. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the best grain salad recipes that are sure to delight your taste buds and keep you coming back for more. So, grab your favorite grains and let's get cooking!
1. Ancient Grains Salad
The Ancient Grains Salad is a flavorful and nourishing grain salad made with a combination of quinoa, farro, and barley. It is packed with fresh vegetables, herbs, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes, creating a variety of textures and flavors.
The homemade balsamic vinaigrette adds a tangy and delicious touch. This salad is perfect for a plant-based side dish, packed lunches, or picnics. It can also be customized with different grains and dressings. Overall, the Ancient Grains Salad is a satisfying and versatile option for grain salad lovers.
2. Wholesome Grain Salad
Wholesome Grain Salad is a hearty and healthy salad made with a variety of cooked grains like quinoa, farro, and black rice. Topped with a delicious honey, mustard, and lemon dressing, this salad is versatile and customizable to suit individual tastes.
It can be prepared in advance, making it a convenient option for meal prep or a dinner party. Overall, it's a satisfying and flavorful grain salad that is perfect for those looking for a nutritious and filling meal.
3. Easy Grain Salad
Easy Grain Salad is a versatile and hearty recipe that can be customized to suit any season or personal preference. Made with a choice of whole grain, colorful vegetables, and a tangy vinaigrette, this salad is perfect as a side dish, lunch, or potluck contribution.
With options to swap out ingredients and flavors, it offers endless variations to suit different tastes. Whether using farro or another grain, this salad is packed with texture and flavor, making it a satisfying and nutritious choice.
4. Summer Grain Salad
The Summer Grain Salad is a refreshing and satisfying dish packed with late-summer flavors. It features chewy farro, grilled corn, roasted garbanzo beans, almonds, dried apricots, fresh herbs, pickled red onions, and optional feta or goat cheese.
The combination of textures and flavors creates a delightful and nutritious salad that can be enjoyed as a side dish or a make-ahead lunch.
5. Mixed Grain Salad
The Mixed Grain Salad is a versatile and nutritious recipe that allows for endless variations. The salad incorporates a mix of whole grains such as brown rice, spelt, bulgur wheat, quinoa, and couscous, providing a good source of fiber, protein, vitamins, and essential trace elements. The grains can be cooked and frozen in advance for quick and healthy meals.
The salad can be customized with a variety of vegetables and seasonings, and is best enjoyed with a generous amount of dressing to keep the grains moist and flavorful. The addition of feta cheese adds a salty and crumbly texture to the salad. Overall, the Mixed Grain Salad is a satisfying and healthy option for lunch, dinner, or as a side dish.
6. Summer Grain Bowls
Summer Grain Bowls is a vibrant and flavorful salad that combines a variety of summer fruits and vegetables with cooked farro and quinoa. The colorful ingredients, such as peaches, cherries, tomatoes, cucumber, and rainbow carrots, provide a burst of freshness.
The addition of gorgonzola cheese and a mix of fresh herbs adds depth and complexity to the dish. This versatile salad can be enjoyed warm or cold, making it a refreshing and satisfying option for any summer meal.
7. Ancient Grain Salad
The Ancient Grain Salad is a healthy and flavorful Mediterranean-style dish that can be enjoyed as a main or side. It features a mix of chewy farro, fluffy quinoa, and protein-packed chickpeas, along with a colorful array of vegetables. The homemade red wine vinaigrette adds a refreshing touch, while olives and feta cheese enhance the overall flavor.
This salad is quick and easy to make, making it a great option for meal prepping. With its high fiber and plant-based protein content, it's a nutritious choice for those looking to increase their intake. Overall, the Ancient Grain Salad is a delicious and satisfying option for a grain salad.
8. Super Green Grain Salad with Toasted Walnut Dressing
The Super Green Grain Salad with Toasted Walnut Dressing is a hearty and healthy grain salad that is loaded with sautéed broccoli, green onions, and herbs. The creamy toasted walnut dressing adds richness and a delightful nutty flavor.
This salad can be enjoyed warm, chilled, or at room temperature, making it versatile for any occasion. Overall, it is a delicious and satisfying grain salad option.
9. Barley Salad with Roasted Carrots
Barley Salad with Roasted Carrots is a delicious and hearty grain salad that will revitalize your love for this type of dish. Made with pearled barley and spiced roasted carrots, it is packed with flavor.
Tossed with almonds, parsley, pomegranate, and feta cheese, it offers a delightful combination of textures and tastes. The honey-lemon dressing adds a refreshing touch. This recipe is healthy, easy to make, and keeps well in the fridge. It's a must-try for grain salad enthusiasts.
10. Lemon, Basil and Barley Salad
The Lemon, Basil and Barley Salad is a refreshing and satisfying grain salad that is perfect for summer. The combination of lemon, basil, and pearl barley creates a delicious flavor and texture. It can be enjoyed as a light main meal or a side dish for barbecues.
This versatile recipe can be easily adapted by using different nuts or seeds and even swapping out the barley for another grain. Overall, it's a healthy and flavorful option for grain salad lovers.
11. Summer Fresh Seven Grain Salad Copycat
The Summer Fresh Seven Grain Salad Copycat recipe is a delicious and hearty grain salad that closely resembles the popular Summer Fresh brand. The salad is packed with a variety of beans, grains, and veggies, making it a healthy and satisfying option. The vinaigrette dressing adds a tangy and flavorful touch.
Whether you choose to use canned beans or cook them from scratch, this salad is easy to make and can be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. It's a great option for summer meals, back-to-school lunches, or office lunches. The recipe yields a large batch, but can be easily halved for individual servings. Overall, this copycat recipe is a fantastic alternative when you're craving the Summer Fresh Seven Grain Salad but don't have access to it.
12. Wheat Berry Salad with Beets and Feta
Wheat Berry Salad with Beets and Feta is a hearty and delicious grain salad that is perfect for the fall/winter season. The chewy texture of the wheat berries combined with the earthy beets and tangy feta cheese creates a flavorful and satisfying dish.
The addition of fresh herbs and vegetables adds a refreshing touch. This salad can be easily customized with different seasonal ingredients. Overall, it is a versatile and crowd-pleasing recipe that is worth trying.
13. Southwestern Barley Salad
The Southwestern Barley Salad is a refreshing and zesty grain salad packed with flavors of cilantro, lime, and seasonings. It is light, healthy, and perfect for picnics or lunch. The combination of cooked barley, sweet corn, grape tomatoes, cilantro, and green onions creates a delicious and satisfying dish.
The dressing, made with lime juice, olive oil, salt, sugar, garlic powder, and black pepper, adds a tangy and flavorful element to the salad. Overall, this salad is a great option for summer cookouts and potlucks.
14. Costco Tuscan Bean and Barley Salad
The Costco Tuscan Bean and Barley Salad is a delicious and filling grain salad. It features a combination of cooked barley, chickpeas, navy beans, fresh parsley, tomatoes, bell peppers, and green onions. The salad is dressed with a flavorful pesto dressing made with white vinegar, olive oil, basil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
This vegan salad is a great option for parties, barbecues, or as a make-ahead dish. It can be customized with additional beans or vegetables. Overall, this salad is a tasty and healthy choice for grain salad lovers.
