13 Wheat Berry Recipes (+ Easy Meal Ideas)

Do you love whole grains? Then you need to check out these wheat berry recipes.

Nutty, chewy, and wholesome, wheat berries are incredible. They add a ton of texture, flavor, and substance to any meal. 

In case you’re not familiar, wheat berries are nutrient-dense wheat kernels. They’re packed with complex carbs, fiber, and protein, too.

Whether you want sweet or savory, wheat berries are super flexible. 

They add more substance to salads and create satiating sides. They’re even a great filler for soups.

From breakfast to dinner, these wheat berry recipes will show you how to add them to every meal. 

1.​  Wheat Berry Recipe with Bacon, Caramelized Onions, and Pecans

This hearty dish tastes like the holidays!

Wheat berries get decked out with roasted butternut squash, sweet caramelized onions, bacon, and spinach. There are even a handful of raisins and pecans.

The apple cider dressing coats everything in a sweet and tangy flavor. It’s the perfect match for a holiday table.

If you want to make it vegetarian-friendly, skip the bacon. Or substitute the pork for plant-based bacon.

2. Asian Wheat Berry Salad

Here’s an eye-popping salad full of flavors and textures.

It’s like merging a crunchy slaw with a grain salad and giving it an Asian spin.

Crunchy, chewy, umami, fresh, nutty, and sweet, it balances all those things.

It’s best to use soft wheat berries and soak them overnight. Soaking helps to reduce the overall cooking time.

It might involve some mindfulness, but the rest is super easy.

3. Wheat Berry Salad with Apples and Cranberries

Does brisk weather have you longing for an autumn salad? Then you need this picture-perfect grain salad. 

Every single bite is bursting with fall flavors. There are nutty wheat berries, crisp apples, juicy oranges, baby kale, and toasted pecans. 

Of course, anything with dried cranberries instantly screams fall.

Make yourself a bowl and satisfy your craving. All that deliciousness is good for your body, too.

4. Wheat Berry Bread

Whole wheat flour is the ground form of wheat berries. So naturally, I had to mention this wheat berry bread. 

Soft and airy on the inside and crunchy on the outside, the texture is divine. 

Add cracked wheat berries and the whole loaf gets even better. They contribute a wonderful texture, plus a nutty and earthy flavor. 

Try this bread with a smear of butter or homemade jam. It’s also a great bread for grilled cheese sandwiches. 

5. Wheat Berry Salad with Roasted Vegetables

Give roasted veggies a bit more oomph with wheat berries. Together, they create a filling vegetarian meal.

I love the contrast of the chewy wheat berries and tender roasted veggies. 

This one comes with sweet potato and Brussels sprouts. Add dried cranberries and pecans to make it even more festive.

Of course, you can substitute with any veggie combo you like. Carrots, parsnips, and beets are just a few ideas.

6. Lemony Wheat Berries with Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Brussels sprouts lovers, I picked this one out just for you. 

Shaved raw Brussels sprouts can be good in a salad. But when roasted, they turn into caramelized morsels of perfection.

Toss them with cooked red wheat berries, walnuts, lemon, and olive oil for a complete meal.

I think shaved Parmesan or goat cheese would be excellent, too. Although, it’s plenty tasty as a vegan dish. 

7. Wheat Berry Mushroom Burgers

I’ve tried a lot of veggie burgers in my life. I’ve also had my fair share of portobello burgers. 

But nothing quite compares to this burger. 

Hearty, earthy, and umami, it’s truly one of a kind.

Wheat berries and portobello make up the bulk of the patty. You also need an egg and oats for binding. 

Packed with nutrients, you can feel good eating these burgers. 

8. Wheat Berry Breakfast Bowl

Say goodbye to blah healthy breakfast bowls. This wheat berry bowl makes wholesome eating taste great. 

Wheat berries are full of fiber, protein, and complex carbs. Top them with bananas for potassium and berries for antioxidants. 

A scoop of yogurt adds calcium and maple syrup sweetens the deal. For even more energy, I like to sprinkle chia seeds on top. 

Also, use hard red wheat berries for the higher protein content. The softer varieties are more starchy. 

9. Curried Wheat Berry Chicken Salad

There are your typical leafy green salads, and then, there’s this satiating salad. 

It completely revolutionizes curried chicken salad!

It’s bold, pungent, creamy, savory, and mouthwatering.

The wheat berries, juicy chicken, and heaping of mix-ins are so gratifying.

If you like curried salad, try it. It breathes new life into a boring lunch routine. 

10. Chickpea Soup with Wheat Berries

You know that satisfying feeling you get eating a hearty, healthy, and scrumptious soup? That’s this bowl of goodness. 

It’s a revitalizing medley of wheat berries and veggies in a robust tomato broth. 

Chickpeas pack it with a ton of protein, and the warming spices are spot on. 

Not only is it flavorful and filling, but it’s also 100 percent vegan-friendly. 

For Meatless Monday or a random Wednesday, you definitely need to add it to the rotation.

11. Tuscan Wheat Berry Soup with Basil Pesto and Parmesan Cheese

This is yet another warming soup that’s great for a rainy day. 

It combines pantry staples with fresh ingredients most people keep on hand. 

Wheat berries, navy beans, carrots, alliums, and canned tomatoes make up the humble base.

Meanwhile, Italian spice and bay leaf are the main seasonings. 

The basil pesto and Parmesan really take it up a notch. It’s so simple and yet it makes a world of difference.

12. Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili

When you want a big bowl of comfort food, this chili will be waiting.

Between the wheat berries, kidney beans, and red beans, it’s as hearty as vegetarian chili gets.

The capsaicin in the chili powder makes it extra filling. It also adds a pinch of spiciness.

It’s also super easy and affordable.

If you feel like splurging, garnish with a mess of cheese and corn chips. 

13. Simple Pear Wheat Berry Salad

Wheat berries are so excellent in a salad, so here’s one more to tantalize your tastebuds. 

The grain, radishes, pears, almonds, and peppers make it a well-balanced meal. 

Toss it with a simple three-ingredient dressing you’ll love. 

An Instant Pot or rice cooker makes cooking the wheat berries a breeze. The stovetop method isn’t hard either. Just monitor it.

For lunches, picnics, or potlucks, it’s a great make-ahead dish for any occasion.