Wheat berries are so good! They are a high protein, high iron... totally delicious grain. Try them in this summer in my Caprese Wheat Berry Salad recipe.
Hello friends!
I’ve started pursuing new grains. You guys know I love quinoa and all, (would I be a legit healthy living blogger if I hated quinoa? <--- don’t answer that 🙂 ) but I’ve been on the search for something different especially since the Hubs turns his nose up to quinoa. After doing some research I bought some wheat berries. If you guys haven’t tried it yet, you must. It has this rich nutty flavor that is simply amazing.
I’ve been experimenting with some simple wheat berry salad recipes and I finally made up the perfect starter recipe. My Caprese Wheat Berry Salad recipe is rich with fresh mozzarella, summer-ripe tomatoes, and basil straight from the garden!
Here's how to make my Caprese Wheat Berry Salad recipe...
Cooking with wheat berries is pretty easy and it is actually very similar to rice or quinoa. You boil the water, add the grain, cover and simmer. It takes a little while to let the wheat berries soften, but all that time is completely hands off kitchen time. You can be doing something else while they cook.
Wheat berries are high in iron, protein, manganese and can help support heart health.
You can make this salad with any grain like quinoa or farro, but I really love these fun little wheat berries.
To complement the wheat berries I add my favorite summertime flavors... crisp cherry tomato, creamy fresh mozzarella and sweet, fragrant basil. Would it really be summer without these flavors? I'm not so sure.
I top off my Caprese Wheat Berry Salad recipe with a nice pinch of sea salt, fresh cracked pepper and a rich balsamic vinegar. Just enough to give it some flavor, but not enough to overpower the nutty wheat berry.
The end result is a vegetarian meal, high in protein and packed with flavor! And those little wheat berries? The Hubs loved them! #victory
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. Happy cooking!
Caprese Wheat Berry Salad recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup wheat berries
- 1 pint cherry tomato, halved
- 8 oz pearl mozzarella balls
- ½ cup fresh basil, chiffonade
- ¼ cup high quality balsamic vinegar
- ½ tablespoon high quality olive oil
- salt & pepper to taste
- garnish: additional basil and balsamic reduction
Instructions
- Cook wheat berries in water or broth according to the package instructions. If using water or unsalted broth, add a pinch of salt to the water.
- Once cooked, allow the wheat berries to cool to at least room temperature.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients.
- Garnish with more basil and a balsamic reduction if you have it!
- Serve room temperature or chilled.
Notes
Like my Caprese Wheat Berry Salad recipe? Pin this to your favorite Pinterest board!
Thanks for stopping by today! Come back tomorrow for this months Currently...
Your turn!
Have you ever tried wheat berry?
Andrea on Vacation says
I have never done the wheatberry thing but love quinoa. Soon my garden will have an abundance of cherry tomatoes and basil to put in said quinoa!
Lisa Ballantyne says
Looks fabulous, Julie! You always share the most amazing ideas for healthy eating!
Emily @ Pizza & Pull-Ups says
Love this idea, looks delicious!
Maureen @ Maureen Gets Real says
I'll have to check out wheat berries. It seems like a good option instead of rice!
[email protected] says
I'm obsessed with wheat berries, farro, and bulgur wheat salads. I love that idea of throwing caprese into the mix. Your kale wheat berry salad is probably amazing too! I can't believe I lived so long without these grains in my life! So good!
JulieWunder says
I know! they are so tasty! I'm a big fan 🙂
Jaime says
I've never tried wheat berry....and now I'm intrigued! I have tons of tomatoes and basil. I need to try this.
JulieWunder says
I really like it! Very hearty and a bit chewy in a good way!
Miz Helen says
Great Salad, I love the addition of the Wheat Berry. I appreciate you sharing this awesome post with Full Plate Thursday and have a great day.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
JulieWunder says
Thank you!!! I'm so glad you like it!
Sarah says
This looks delicious! I can't say I've ever had wheat berries. I wonder if the taste and texture is close to freekeh.
JulieWunder says
I've never had freekeh so I can't compare!! Haha! We need to do a grain swap 🙂
Chaitali says
I've never tried wheat berries before but this sounds like a delicious way to try it out 🙂
JulieWunder says
They are really yummy! I love how hearty and chewy they are!
Tina muir says
Ooooh yum! I have this coming in a future recipe....well this style food, but this sounds delicious Julie, and looks amazing too! Thanks for linking up!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Tina! Can't wait to see your version!
Jess @hellotofit says
I've never made wheat berries, but I've had them in a salad before! Looks tasty 🙂 caprese is so delicious. Thanks for sharing!
JulieWunder says
So easy! Just like quinoa or rice!
Jenny @ apples & kale says
I am definitely making this! I have been making caprese salads at least weekly because my basil plant is going crazy, but this looks a lot more filling and like it could be a meal in itself! Yum!
JulieWunder says
Absolutely! I actually ate it for several meals!
Ivanna says
This looks yummy!
JulieWunder says
It is! I hope you have a chance to try it!
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
Wheat berry just sounds like it would be fun to eat!
JulieWunder says
I totally agree!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says
I love wheat berries and experimenting with other grains too! This looks delicious!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Sue! Hope you are having a CALM week.
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
This looks so yummy! I can't eat wheat berries due to my wheat allergy, but maybe I'll try with amaranth!
JulieWunder says
Ohhh!!! I've never tried that! I'll have to look it up! Great idea.
Annmarie says
Love caprese anything! I'd just have to sub the wheat for quinoa and I'd eat this right up! 🙂
JulieWunder says
Would totally work with quinoa, I was just trying to shake it up a bit 🙂
Pragati // Simple Medicine says
Julie, this salad sounds amazing! The flavors are perfect for summer. Fresh basil is my go to for summer salads and pastas. YUM!
JulieWunder says
Thank you!!! I use so much fresh basil in the summer too!
Jamie says
I've never tried wheat berry - this sounds excellent though! Especially since it's such a great addition to a vegetarian diet 🙂
JulieWunder says
Yes! I'm excited to add it to my rotation.
Farrah says
I tried a wheat berry salad a couple years back and wasn't the biggest fan of it, buttttt I think I'd love this version! (Caprese anything is a winner in my book!) <3!!!
JulieWunder says
Can't go wrong with Caprese! I think you would like it!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
I love wheat berries! Can't beat the tom/mozz combo right?!
JulieWunder says
Nope! As you can tell, I'll put it in almost anything!
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
Love the you went with wheat berries! I feel like they are a nice compromise between couscous and quinoa
JulieWunder says
Totally! Taste so yummy too!
Blane Sherer says
You often show excellent variety options with your recipes. I have never tried wheat berry.
JulieWunder says
It's yummy!!