This winter wheat berry salad is full of scallions, cranberries, and chopped walnuts, all tossed in a bright, lemony vinaigrette. It’s the perfect side dish to balance a hearty main entree and a wonderful potluck option!
Wheat berries are such a wonderful ingredient! They’re chewy and nutty in flavor and taste wonderful with the cranberries and walnuts. Serve it up on a bed of greens with this oven-roasted spatchcocked chicken or this yummy winter pot roast for a filling and flavorful meal!
Why You’ll Love This Wheatberry Salad
- Lots of flavor - The mixture of tart lemon with earthy, nutty wheatberries, bold scallions, and sweet cranberries is so satisfying! You’ll definitely want to keep it on your meal rotation.
- Filling & nutritious - Wheatberries are a great complex carbohydrate, which means they’re really filling and will keep you full for a long time! This salad is loaded with fiber, healthy fats, fresh ingredients, and even protein to nourish your body.
- Easy to make - Once the wheatberries are cooked and cooled, add the chopped scallions, walnuts, and cranberries, then toss in the homemade vinaigrette. Let it rest in the fridge for an hour and serve!
Ingredients
- Wheat berries - These are the whole grain of the wheat plant and have a nutty flavor.
- Scallions - Chop fresh scallions or green onions for freshness.
- Chopped walnuts - Toast the nuts for extra flavor.
- Dried cranberries - Use your favorite dried cranberries for sweetness and color.
- Lite soy sauce - This soy sauce has a salty flavor to season the salad.
- Light extra-virgin olive oil - Light olive oil has a very neutral flavor, perfect for dressings.
- Citrus zest - Add the zest of an orange or lemon.
- Lemon juice - Fresh or concentrated lemon juice adds a nice, bright flavor.
Variations
- Add sweetness - The flavors in this salad would taste wonderful with a little honey or maple syrup. Adjust to taste.
- Chop an apple or pear - Give the salad even more texture by dicing a fresh apple or pear into small bites.
- Change the fruit and nuts - Instead of dried cranberries, feel free to use raisins, dried apricots, or dried cherries instead. Almonds and cashews are a great substitute for walnuts as well.
- Add fresh herbs - This salad tastes wonderful with freshly chopped mint or parsley.
- Add protein - Make this simple salad a complete meal by adding roasted or grilled chicken or fresh chevre crumbles.
How to Make Winter Wheat Berry Salad
- Place the wheat berries in a large saucepan and cover the wheat berries with 4 cups of water.
- Bring the pot to a boil and reduce the heat to low.
- Cover the pot and cook over low heat for about 45 minutes until the wheat berries are about triple in size and chewy when you taste them.
- Drain the wheat berries and put them in a medium mixing bowl.
- Add the onion, walnuts, and cranberries to the bowl of wheat berries. Set aside.
- Whisk the remaining ingredients (soy sauce, lemon juice, olive oil, zest) until emulsified, and then pour this dressing over the wheat berry mixture.
- Stir and refrigerate for one hour or more.
Expert Tips
- Pre-cook the wheat berries - Use cooked wheat berries to speed up this recipe. They can take a while to cook, so start by soaking them in water overnight. Then boil them until done, strain, and chill. Once the wheat berries are cool, you’re ready to assemble.
- Let it rest - The flavors will really come together after the salad rests for a while. Let it chill in the fridge for at least one hour to absorb the vinaigrette.
- Toast the nuts - Gently warm the walnuts in a small skillet or a pan in the oven until they are nice and warm. Be careful not to burn them! This will release the natural oils and make the walnuts even more delicious.
Recipe FAQs
Are wheat berries gluten-free?
Unfortunately, these delicious wheat berries are not gluten-free as they are made from wheat. People sensitive to gluten may be able to tolerate wheat berries, but they are not safe for people with celiac disease. Instead, use a gluten-free grain like brown rice.
How do I store wheat berry salad for later?
Wheat berry salad lasts a while in the fridge! After assembling the salad, store it in the fridge for 3-4 days. This makes it easy to add to your meal prep containers or to dole up as a side dish later in the week!
Can you freeze wheatberry salad?
Although you can freeze cooked wheat berries, freezing the salad is not a great idea. The fresh ingredients, like the green onions, will become soggy and wet after. For the best flavor and texture, store this salad in the fridge for 3-4 days and serve it chilled.
Related Recipes
- Brown Rice Salad with Cranberries and Nuts
- Black Bean Corn Pasta Salad
- Barley Apple Walnut Salad Recipe
- Caribbean Rice Salad Recipe
Winter Wheat Berry Salad With Cranberries and Walnuts
Author: Recipe Idea Shop
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked winter wheat berries
- 2 scallions green onions, chopped
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup lite soy sauce
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ½ cup light extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons grated orange or lemon rind
Instructions
- Place the wheat berries in a large saucepan and cover the wheat berries with 4 cups of water.
- Bring the pot to a boil and reduce the heat to low.
- Cover the pot and cook over low heat about 45 minutes until the wheat berries are about triple in size and when you taste them, they are chewy.
- Drain the wheat berries and put them in a medium mixing bowl.
- Add the onion, walnuts and cranberries to the bowl of wheat berries. Set aside.
- Whisk remaining ingredients (soy sauce, lemon juice, olive oil, zest) until emulsified and then pour this dressing over the wheat berry mixture.
- Stir and refrigerate for one hour or more.
Notes
Kathy acquired the blog, Recipe Idea Shop in 2024. She was raised on a farm in Arkansas where having a big garden and good food to eat was the norm. She shares recipes for homemade comfort food and new trending dishes.
Kathy began her blogging journey in 2011 when she founded PetticoatJunktion.com, a home décor blog focused on repurposing and upcycling furniture, and thrift store finds.
