There are so many different types that you’ll never get bored. Work lunches, easy dinners, or holiday sides, these salads are a healthy and filling option for a variety of occasions. Plus, they’re perfect for meal prepping! Choose a type of grain and add in your favorite fixings. Barley, burglar, and quinoa are all amazing options that give you endless possibilities. They’re full of fiber and protein, making them a powerhouse meal. And you can make them as light or hearty as you want. Versatile and customizable, here are 20 grain salad recipes for you to try. Grab a big bowl, you’ll need it!
1. Summer Grain Salad
Fresh and filling, this grain salad will be your go-to lunch for all your summer adventures. It’s an energy-packed medley of grains, nuts, fruits, and herbs to keep you going. Farro gives the salad plenty of oomph and it’s full of fiber. The nuttiness goes particularly great with the almonds and dried apricots. Make a big batch and divide it up into containers. When hunger strikes, you and your family will be ready.
2. Wholesome Grain Salad
Looking for a winter salad to stay healthy and fit? Look no further than this wholesome grain salad. The base doubles up on the grains with the help of farro and quinoa. For the fixings, you have seasonal offerings like butternut squash and pomegranate seeds. The sweet mustard dressing is the perfect touch to keep things light and fresh.
3. Apricot Bulgur Salad
Mix things up with a hearty blend of bulgur, apricot, and fresh herbs. Nutty, fruity, and citrusy, this salad has a range of flavors and textures. Pair it with a protein or turn it into a meal all by itself. It’s not hard to make. But you’ll want to let the salad sit for a bit so all the flavors can meld.
4. Lebanese Tabbouleh Salad
Citrusy, fresh, and healthy, Lebanese tabbouleh has all the flavors that keep you coming back for more. It has heapings of parsley, a handful of mint, tiny diced tomatoes, and a good squeeze of lemon juice. Bulgur is the traditional grain of choice for this salad. But sometimes, I like to make it with quinoa or couscous depending on what’s in the pantry.
5. Super Green Grain Salad with Toasted Walnut Dressing
Super green grain salad is the power bowl you’ve been waiting for! It’s a nutrient-dense meal featuring farro, broccoli, dates, scallions, and parsley. Coat it in the creamy toasted walnut dressing, then dive right in! If you want to make it vegan, tahini works really well as a substitute for Greek yogurt.
6. Cypriot Grain Salad
It’s astounding how much flavor this grain salad packs into a single bowl. A bed of fluffy quinoa transforms into a culinary experience with the help of pomegranate seeds, toasted nuts, capers, and currants. Lentils give this salad an additional boost of protein and the Greek yogurt dressing seals the deal.
7. Favorite Quinoa Salad
The name says it all! There are a lot of amazing quinoa salad recipes, but this one will be your new favorite. The ingredient list is similar to tabbouleh. Except there are a few extras including chickpeas, cucumber, and red bell pepper. It’s the perfect meal when you want something light and healthy.
8. Tomato, Zucchini, and Bulgur Salad
Have some summer produce you want to turn into a tasty meal? Try this simple bulgur salad. Tomato, zucchini, parsley, and a couple of oranges are all you need to dress up a bed of bulgur. Whether you’re making this for guests or just yourself, this bulgur salad never disappoints.
9. Mediterranean Bulgur Salad with Lemon Mint Vinaigrette
When I crave healthy food, I turn to Mediterranean dishes like this. The five salad ingredients are the epitome of fresh. Even the dressing keeps the dish lively and bright. You can leave the feta out if you want to make it vegan. Otherwise, I say pile it on!
10. Bulgur Salad with Cucumbers, Red Peppers, Chickpeas, Lemon & Dill
Here’s another sensational way to fix up bulgur. You cook the grain, then toss it with a heaping of fresh veggies, garbanzo beans, and a citrusy cumin dressing. Cucumbers, red bell peppers, and onions are a flawless choice. I also like to throw in a handful of cherry tomatoes.
11. Barley Salad with Roasted Chickpeas and Feta
In the mood for something quick and simple? You can’t go wrong with this dish. This wholesome barley salad selects a few humble ingredients to make a hearty dish. Quick barley takes less than 15 minutes to cook. Combine that with feta, sunflower seeds, edamame, and garbanzo beans for a range of nutrients.
12. Rye and Carrot Salad
Here’s one of the best carrot recipes for when you’re short on pantry staples. Aside from the obvious, you’ll need some onion, celery, and spices. To dress it up, a simple splash of olive oil and red wine vinegar will do.
13. Salmon Couscous Salad with Cucumbers, Herbs, and Feta Dressing
Couscous makes a fantastic side dish for salmon. And this one absolutely nails it! The cucumbers, parsley, and dill go swimmingly with the fresh catch. So do the quick-cooking and fluffy mini couscous pearls. Coat the salmon in za’atar to brighten it up and toss it all together with a tangy sweet feta dressing.
14. Quick Cherry Quinoa Salad
What makes this grain salad so quick is the quinoa and raw ingredients. The quinoa only needs to sit on the stove for about 15 minutes. Then, toss it with juicy cherries, blue cheese crumbles, walnuts, and rosemary. Tart, sharp, and nutty, this quick salad has a unique flavor profile to mix up the usual routine.
15. Favorite Greek Farro Salad
This Greek farro salad has all the makings for being your new favorite weekday staple. Like all the best Greek recipes, it calls for a ton of veggies, olive oil, and feta cheese. For this, only a homemade Greek dressing will do. You can also mix and match the ingredients to tailor them to your liking. Capers, kalamata olives, and basil can be a nice addition. The best part, though, is the chewy farro. It’s filling and delicious!
16. Wild Rice Salad with Orange Vinaigrette
A bright salad like this is the pick-me-up you need on a dreary day. The fall flavors are super comforting and the orange vinaigrette makes it all pop. You can also try it with different combinations of dried fruits and nuts. Dried apricot, cherries, walnuts, or even almonds work, too. It’s a grain salad, so there is more than enough room to improvise.
17. Wild Rice Salad with Mushrooms and Herbs
Want something cozy and savory? Go with this wild rice salad. Nutty wild rice, cremini mushrooms, roasted hazelnuts, and herbs make up the base. Add just a handful of dried cranberries for little bursts of tartness. To keep the dish earthy, nix the dressing and let all the ingredients shine. Trust me, they’ll hold up on their own.
18. Wild Rice Salad with Cranberries and Pecans
Speaking of wild rice and cranberries, here is a fabulous one for winter or fall. All the seasonal ingredients make it a stellar choice for the holiday table. Plus, the ingredients are simple and straightforward. I like to toast the pecans for a bit more depth. Oh, and don’t forget the orange zest! If you’re short on wild rice, farro and quinoa work, too.
19. Quinoa, Asparagus, and Feta Salad
This quinoa salad is fresh as a spring breeze! Asparagus, tomatoes, and peas are the only veggies you need. Toss them with chewy quinoa and a handful of herbs to make it uber-fresh. Mint, cilantro, or parsley all work. Ingredients like this are just begging for the fresh bite of feta! I also sometimes like to toss in chickpeas to make it even more satiating.
20. Warm Farro Salad with Sweet Potato and Kale
Talk about hearty! This is one of the best warm salads to keep you full and happy. The combination of chewy farro, tender sweet potato, and roasted kale hits the spot. Add paprika and chili pepper flakes for a hint of spice. Since the oven does most of the work for you, it’s a pretty easy one to whip up. Click on a star to rate it!
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