Wheat Berry Salad with Red Fruit

Rating: 3.86 stars
7 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 2
  • 4 star values: 4
  • 3 star values: 0
  • 2 star values: 0
  • 1 star values: 1

For this sweet and tart salad, wheat berries are blended with cranberries, apples and pecans and tossed in a raspberry vinaigrette--a winning combination. Serve over a bed of peppery arugula for lunch or a light supper. Source: EatingWell Magazine, March/April 2007

Cheryl Sternman Rule
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Ingredients

Wheat Berries
Salad

Directions

  • To prepare wheat berries: Sort through wheat berries carefully, discarding any stones. Rinse well under cool running water. Place in a large heavy saucepan. Add water and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour. Drain and rinse. Let cool to room temperature. (Makes about 4 1/2 cups.)

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  • To prepare salad: Combine orange juice and cranberries in a small bowl. Let stand for 15 minutes.

  • Combine 3 cups of the cooked wheat berries, apple and pecans in a large bowl; stir gently. Drain the cranberries, reserving the juice. Stir the cranberries into the wheat berry mixture. (Refrigerate the extra cooked wheat berries for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 1 month.)

  • Whisk the reserved orange juice, vinegar and oil in a small bowl until combined. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Pour over the salad and stir gently to coat. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to combine. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Tips

Make Ahead Tip: To make ahead: Cover and refrigerate the cooked wheat berries for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 1 month; refrigerate the prepared salad for up to 1 day.

Wheat berries are whole, unprocessed grains of wheat. Varieties (hard, soft, spring or winter) can be used interchangeably. Labeling is inconsistent--you may find them labeled “hard red winter wheat” without the words “wheat berries.” Find them in natural-foods markets and online at kingarthurflour.com.

To toast pecan halves, spread nuts on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F, stirring once, until fragrant, 7 to 9 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: about 1 cup
Per Serving:
316 calories; 14 g total fat; 1.5 g saturated fat; 365 mg sodium. 100 mg potassium; 41.7 g carbohydrates; 6.4 g fiber; 10 g sugar; 7.2 g protein; 49 IU vitamin a iu; 8 mg vitamin c; 7 mcg folate; 34 mg calcium; 2 mg iron; 15 mg magnesium; 4 g added sugar;
Exchanges:

2 Starch, 1 Fruit, 2 1/2 Fat

Reviews (7)

Read More Reviews
7 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 2
  • 4 star values: 4
  • 3 star values: 0
  • 2 star values: 0
  • 1 star values: 1
Reviews:
Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest
JamieLiz
Rating: 5 stars
12/12/2017
This is my standby recipe for a potluck. It's easy to make ahead it's vegan and everyone loves it! Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
07/24/2012
Loved this recipe! My daughter and I eat this for breakfast. Fruity tasting and a good source of protein and fiber. I omit the salt and pepper. Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 1 stars
05/09/2012
Left out Cooking the wheat berries was left out of the preparation! Very important step. Pros: good combination Cons: Left out cooking the wheat berries! Read More
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EatingWell User
Rating: 4 stars
04/11/2012
I got a standing ovation for this salad at a church potluck! I stumbled across this recipe while looking for a healthy choice to bring to a church potluck. I wasn't sure if it would be well received among the more traditional dishes but when word got out I was the one who made the salad the choir director got up on a chair to give me a standing ovation and several people requested the recipe! Pros: tasty refreshing healthy Cons: cook time on wheat lengthens prep - but well worth it. Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 4 stars
10/30/2011
This wheat berry salad has become one of our regular side dishes. I've made at least 15 times. I always make this dish the night before we eat and always freshly roast the pecans. 30 minutes in fridge seems to do nothing but wait overnight and the flavor blends very well together. We like it with extra pecans cranberries and the apple diced very small. We use Alessi White Balsamic Raspberry Blush Vinegar which seems to be the key ingredient. I'm considering leaving the roasted pecans out and sprinkle over right before serving as the crispiness of the nuts is lost after soaked in vinaigrette overnight. Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 4 stars
10/30/2011
I served this for company and it was so well received that they left with the recipe! Fantastice flavor and interesting textures; I agree with holding off adding the roasted pecans until just before serving to maintain their crunch. I couldn't find raspberry vinegar btw so I blended (in a food processor) 1 cup red raspberries to 1/4 cup vinagar. I didn't include the oil and we didn't miss it. The salad was fantastic. I am making it tomorrow for the Teacher's Appreciation Luncheon. Read More
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kathleen@triadtemp.com
Rating: 4 stars
10/29/2011
This was delicious! Just the right combination of sweet and tangy! Happily had enough left over to bring to work the next day. Very tasty!! Read More
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