Wheat Berry Salad with Squash, Kale, Currants, and Walnuts

4.9 stars (12 ratings)

Vegetarian Vegetarian Vegan Vegan Refined Sugar-Free Refined Sugar Free

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This warm wheat berry salad combines the chewy texture of wheat berries with sweet roasted squash, tart currants, and crunchy walnuts. A simple maple-sweetened dressing layers on extra flavor to this hearty fall salad that can be served as a main or side dish. This recipe gets bonus points because leftovers make a satisfying, packable, and healthy lunch!

Complete the meal with 5-ingredient pistachio crusted salmon or crockpot roast chicken.

A glass bowl filled with wheat berry salad and a wooden spoon in it.

This recipe was originally published in 2014. We've updated the post with some new photos and more information, but we've left the delicious recipe exactly the same.

This wheat berry salad has so much going for it. It's hearty, healthy, sweet, and savory with lots of texture and endless variations. Served warm, it's the perfect salad for cooler temperatures. The more robust ingredients like kale, squash, walnuts, and wheat berries keep well in the fridge making this recipe one to double for an elevated make-ahead lunch.

What are wheat berries?

Wheat berries are the whole wheat kernel with the husk removed. They're essentially wheat in its most basic, unprocessed form. They tend to be reddish-brown in color with a sweet and slightly nutty taste. When cooked, they have a wonderful chewy texture that lends a heartiness to salads and side dishes. They're loaded with fiber, protein, and vitamins and can be used in place of other whole grains like rice, quinoa, kamut, spelt, or farro. If you've never tried them before, you'll be pleasantly surprised!

4 pictures showing how to make wheat berry salad.

How to cook wheat berries

Wheat berries are prepared much like other grains but they do require a bit more cooking time. Don't let this shy you away from making these tiny nutrition powerhouses! Cooking time is entirely hands-off and they're ready in just 3 easy steps:

Boil 2 cups of water and/or broth in a medium-sized pot.
Add 1 cup of rinsed wheat berries and simmer for 30-40 minutes until chewy.
Drain any excess water and use right away or store them for later.

Double the quantity to make extra for adding to soups and salads. Cooked wheat berries can be stored in the fridge in an air-tight container for about 3 days.

You'll love the maple dressing

Making a delicious maple dressing is simple and the sweet-tart flavor goes perfectly with hearty salads like this wheat berry one. It uses just a few ingredients:

Olive oil – extra virgin olive oil makes a great base for salad dressings.

Apple cider vinegar – this acts as the acid and gives the dressing its tart flavor. Look for unfiltered apple cider vinegar that will appear cloudy and murky and comes with the ‘mother'.

Maple syrup – pure maple syrup adds a wonderful, rich sweetness with hints of caramel and vanilla.

Garlic – garlic's unique and pungent flavor adds a hint of spiciness that rounds out this dressing.

Extra dressing stores well in an air-tight jar or container in the fridge for about a week. The olive oil will solidify in the fridge so you'll want to take it out 10-15 minutes before you want to use it. Don't forget to give it a good shake!

wheat berry salad being mixed in a bowl with squash, currants, walnuts, and kale

Make it a meal

This wheat berry salad is a meal on its own but you could easily make it a heartier complete meal by topping it with desired add-ins like:

Perfect baked chicken breasts
8 minute baked salmon
Roasted or raw chickpeas
Creamy goat cheese
Sautéed tempeh
Grilled tofu

Wheat Berry Salad: FAQs

Where can I find wheat berries?

You can find wheat berries in the grain aisle of most well-stocked grocery stores. You may also find them in the bulk section along with other grains.

What kind of kale works best?

Curly kale is ideal for this recipe but lacinato (also known as dino kale) would work well, too.

Should I leave the skin on the squash?

Yes! The skin on both kabocha and butternut squash is completely edible and provides additional fiber and nutrients. That said, if you prefer to peel it you certainly can.

What can I use instead of walnuts?

We love walnuts in this recipe but you could also use pecans, pistachios, or almonds.

What can I use instead of currants?

Dried cranberries work equally well.

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

While this salad is best eaten right away, it's also a great make-ahead salad. Prepare it up to 3 days in advance without the dressing and store it in the fridge. It tastes best warm so you'll want to heat it to above room temperature then toss it with dressing right before serving.

Enjoy this wheat berry salad as a meal or serve it alongside pork chops with caramel apples and perfectly spiced brandy mulled wine for a festive feel.