To be precise, wheat berries are the whole grain form of wheat (before its gone through processing). They are high in fiber and crunchy, and can be used much like other whole grains. Think hot cereal, salads and grain bowl!
This I Love You Wheat Berry Salad is the perfect base for experimentation. Once you get comfortable making this basic recipe, you can play around with all sorts of variations. Use chopped nuts, edamame, fresh veggies and dried cranberries. As the author Aaron states, one of his all-time favorite tricks is to toss in some chopped greens like chard or spinach while the berries are drained of water but still warm (as this will wilt the greens). For a full entree, pair this salad with grilled chicken or barbecued salmon.
This Wheat Berry and White Bean Salad is the ultimate in taste and texture. Its made with Bobs Red Mill Wheat Berries, cooked white or navy beans, green onion, celery and diced tomato. The vinaigrette is created with olive oil, fresh lemon or lime juice, white wine vinegar, chopped parsley, honey mustard, minced shallot, sea salt and ground black pepper. Serve this salad chilled on a bed of lettuce for a light yet wonderful way to enjoy wheat berries.
If you thought wheat berries were just for salads, think again! This Italian Easter Pie is made with Hard Red Wheat Berries, salt, water, a prepared pie shell, granulated sugar, eggs, cornstarch, ground cinnamon, salt, ricotta cheese, orange zest, candied orange peel, vanilla extract and orange flower water. Bake until the filling is puffed, golden and set. Cool completely before serving and enjoy alongside a cup of hot coffee or tea.
The nutty flavor of wheat berries combines beautifully with bacon, like in this recipe for Wheat Berry Salad with Bacon. Its made with wheat berries, Kosher salt, black pepper, pecan halves, bacon, dried cherries, flat-leaf parsley, shallots, extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice. Serve this dish as an entree or keep it on hand for the perfect potluck side dish.
This Wheat Berry Whole Wheat Bread is made with sugar, nonfat milk, Whole Wheat Flour or Organic Whole Wheat Flour, sea salt, egg, Unbleached White All-Purpose Flour, Hard Red Wheat Berries or Organic Hard Red Wheat Berries, active dry yeast and canola oil. The recipe makes two loaves: one for now, one for later. Use this bread for everything from a simple side to the base for a wonderfully unique grilled cheese sandwich.
Fancy a Sprouted Whole Wheat Bread loaf made with molasses, wheat germ, oats, 100% stone ground whole wheat flour and Hard Red Wheat Berries? Perfect! This is the recipe for you. This bread was a Malheur County Fair winner and is simple to create but so delicious. For an optional addition, add 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds to the recipe for a bit of extra texture. You can also divide the dough and shape into 32 rolls (place 8 rolls in a round cake pan and allow to rise for a second time). Serve these with a hearty meal like mashed potatoes, gravy and turkey during the autumn season, or something like an arugula salad in the spring season.
When it comes to wheat berries, these Organic Energy Bars with Fruit are the ultimate breakfast indulgence. Theyre made with a mix of Organic Hard Red Wheat Berries, Organic Kamut Berries, Organic Regular Rolled Oats, Pumpkin Seeds, Premium Shelled Sunflower Seeds, chopped walnuts, unsalted butter, honey or pure maple syrup, cinnamon, cardamom, Organic Coconut Flour, shredded coconut, dried tart cherries, dried blueberries, raisins, wheat germ, Organic Unbleached White All-Purpose Flour, sea salt and unsweetened applesauce. Theyre excellent for meals on the go or a late afternoon snack (and loved by both parents and kids alike). After removing them from the oven, use a pizza cutter to cut into bars, let cool, package separately and refrigerate.
For a deliciously fresh salad, this Spring Rhubarb, Herb and Wheat Berry Salad is a simple and vibrant dish that showcases the offerings of the season. It can be served as a meal on its own or as a side dish to accompany your favorite main course. Its made with ingredients like Hard Red Spring Wheat Berries, chicken stock, slivered almonds, rhubarb, strawberries and herbs like basil and tarragon. Top it all with honey and crumbled queso fresco, and youre bound to find your new favorite wheat berry variation!
Hi Valerie! Toasting the wheat berries brings out their natural flavor. You can do the same with soft wheat berries, and you can leave this step out as you wish, as the boiling step will cook the berries. We have not tested and do not recommend cooking wheat berries in the microwave.
I would like to know where to purchase wheat berries. They have been used for memorial services at Greek Orthodox churches for over a thousand years. It is a necessity and It is becoming very difficult to find or it could be that the stores don't carry many bags of wheat berries.
Thank YOu!
Hi Lola! You may find them online. Unfortunately, we no longer carry them.
I'm looking for cracked wheat and cracked rye.
The wheat berries are probably the cracked wheat but I can't find on your website.. What woukd be cracked rye? plus I live in Canada. Please help!
Hi there! Unfortunately, we do not offer either of those products. Good luck on your search!
I am so confused about these berries. I want to make a wheat pie and want to know if I should use the hard red, hard white or soft white. Or does it not make a difference.
Hi! In that type of recipe it won't make too much of a difference. You'd see more of a difference when milling these different types of berries info flour. The different protein percentages will affect textures in baked goods.
Hi! I’m looking for a softer texture when I make my Easter grain pie. How long can I soak them & keep them in the fridge? Do they become softer the longer you soak them or am do I just get used to the chewy texture? By the way...I use your product!
Hi Nancy - We recommend boiling the grains before hand, rather than just soaking. This will ensure a softer texture. Here's our recipe for Italian Easter Pie.
Years ago, Yoplait used to make a "Breakfast Yogurt" that had wheat berries in it. It was fabulous, gave the yogurt some chewiness; I ate it every day. Then all of a sudden it just disappeared. I tried to find wheat berries in my local store and they never heard of them. I don't know why I never looked here! Now I will have wheat berries in my yogurt again. Thanx!!!
I am becoming a big fan of Insta-Pots. Since the Insta-Pot is quicker, should the wheat berries be soaked overnight? Can they just be toasted and then cooked? What is the cooking time in an Insta-Pot? I like to use chicken or vegetable broth for making rice. Have you ever tried that with wheat berries?
Thank you for the assistance.
Hi David, you can find instructions here. Look for the "Multi-Cooker" option.
Basic Preparation Instructions for Wheat Berries
I ate at a restaurant recently where they used toasted wheat berries as a garnish on an egg salad. It was AMAZING. Now I want toasted wheat berries on everything!
Yum! Yes, they make such a great topping! Toasted Buckwheat is one of our favorites.
You could do that method as well.
In your directions you say to toast the berries. What does that do and can I leave this step out? Can you use the same cooking method for soft wheat berries? Also is it possible to cook the wheat berries in the microwave? Thank you for your help.