Whole Grain Salad Recipes

Whole grain salads are a delicious and nutritious way to incorporate more fiber, vitamins, and minerals into your diet. By using whole grains such as quinoa, farro, and bulgur as the base of your salad, you can create filling and satisfying meals that are perfect for lunch or dinner. The best part about whole grain salads is their versatility - you can add a variety of vegetables, proteins, and dressings to suit your taste preferences.

Summer Harvest Whole Grain Salad

This refreshing salad is perfect for warm weather. It's made with cooked quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, chopped kale, diced apples, and crumbled feta cheese. The dressing is a zesty mix of lemon juice, olive oil, and honey. To make this salad, start by cooking the quinoa according to package instructions. While the quinoa is cooking, roast 1 large sweet potato in the oven until it's tender. Chop the kale into bite-sized pieces and massage it with your hands for a few minutes to soften it. Dice 1 apple and crumble 1/4 cup of feta cheese.

To assemble the salad, combine the cooked quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, chopped kale, diced apples, and crumbled feta cheese in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and 1 teaspoon of honey. Pour the dressing over the top of the salad and toss to combine.

Winter Grain Bowl Salad

This hearty salad is perfect for cold weather. It's made with cooked farro, roasted Brussels sprouts, diced pomegranate seeds, chopped pecans, and crumbled goat cheese. The dressing is a rich mix of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard. To make this salad, start by cooking the farro according to package instructions. While the farro is cooking, roast 1 pound of Brussels sprouts in the oven until they're tender. Dice 1/2 cup of pomegranate seeds and chop 1/4 cup of pecans.

To assemble the salad, combine the cooked farro, roasted Brussels sprouts, diced pomegranate seeds, chopped pecans, and crumbled goat cheese in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard. Pour the dressing over the top of the salad and toss to combine.

Spicy Southwestern Whole Grain Salad

This flavorful salad is perfect for spicy food lovers. It's made with cooked bulgur, diced black beans, chopped cilantro, diced red bell pepper, crumbled queso fresco, and a spicy chipotle dressing. To make this salad, start by cooking the bulgur according to package instructions. While the bulgur is cooking, dice 1 cup of black beans and chop 1/4 cup of cilantro.

To assemble the salad, combine the cooked bulgur, diced black beans, chopped cilantro, diced red bell pepper, and crumbled queso fresco in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of lime juice, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, and 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce. Pour the dressing over the top of the salad and toss to combine.

These whole grain salad recipes are perfect for any time of year. They're packed with nutrients, fiber, and flavor, making them a great addition to your meal routine. Experiment with different ingredients and dressings to create unique salads that suit your taste preferences.