Sonoran Wheat Berry + Beet Salad
Who doesn’t love a good grain salad? It’s the perfect vegetarian lunch when on-the-go or a nice refreshing yet filling dinner. We like to prep this in advance so we have all the ingredients ready and just have to assemble. Make your wheat berries in advance and this salad will come together in minutes. Cook up a big pot of wheat berries on Sunday to use in salads and soups throughout the week. This salad is vegetarian, but can easily be made vegan by omitting the feta. Conversely, you can add a protein as well for a little extra heartiness. It pairs well with grilled chicken or pork chops.
Takes: 1 hour, including cook time for wheat berries | 15 minutes to assemble
Serves 4 (main) or 6 (AS AS SIDE)
2 cups cooked wheat berries (about 1 cup uncooked)
10-12 oz steamed beets, cut into bite-sized pieces
2-3 oz crumbled feta
2 handfuls baby kale (or arugula)
½ cup toasted sliced or slivered almonds (lightly season with Sonoran Sea Salt)
3 tbsp high quality olive oil
1 tbsp red wine vinegar (flavored vinegars work well too, we use Meyer Lemon & Honey Vinegar from Acid League)
Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Juice from 1/2 lemon, freshly squeezed
Cook wheat berries according to package directions and allow to cool. While wheat berries are cooking, dry toast almonds over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and slightly browned, stirring constantly so as not to burn. Set almonds aside to cool in a small dish. Cut beets into bite-sized pieces or wedges.
Assemble salad: add wheat berries, beets, crumbled feta, baby kale to a big bowl. Toss together using hands. Add olive oil - be generous: the berries will soak up a fair bit of the olive oil so use as much as you like. Add vinegar, pepper, almonds, and Meyer Lemon Salt. Toss again using hands to evenly mix ingredients. Add a squeeze of half a lemon. Taste and add more vinegar, salt, or pepper, if desired. Serve immediately. Note: if you’re prepping this salad in advance, toss all ingredients just before serving to ensure your almonds are crunchy, kale is crisp, and feta doesn’t turn purple!
Cook's notes: Wheat berries can be found at most grocery stores in the grain isle or in the bulk section. We like Hayden Flour Mills or Bob’s Red Mill brands, but you can also find them at most well-stocked grocery stores. Wheat berries are an ancient grain and filled with iron, protein and fiber. They are a great choice if you’re looking for anti-inflammatory food options or want foods that help regulate blood sugar.
