Whole grains, especially the ancient ones, are super healthy and delicious—and these easy grain salads will help you get more of ‘em into your diet.
Of course lots of people skip grains these days due to sensitivities, and if your body doesn’t like them, we totally get it. But if you feel good when you eat them, you should, since they’re associated with benefits like heart health and good digestion.
RELATED: Are Sprouted Grains Really Healthier Than Whole Grains?
And when you eat them like we do—tossed with tons of vegetables (and even some fruit!)—they turn salads into hearty, nutritious, plant-based meals that will actually fill you up.
Try these seven yummy, vegetable-forward grain salads, below, from our own recipe library and from our friends around the web.
(Featured Photo: Shutterstock)
7 Delicious, Easy Grain Salads
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Southwestern Brown Rice Salad
This recipe from Veggies Save the Day (we agree!) combines classic brown rice with corn, beans, and avocado and packs plenty of flavor thanks to cumin, chili powder and zesty lime.
(Photo: Veggies Save the Day)
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Fresh Mozzarella and Farro Salad
Farro is an ancient grain loaded with vitamins, minerals, and even a little protein. With fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, it’s a delicious, hearty side dish or the perfect for lunch.
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Spiced Carrot and Millet Salad
The Minimalist Vegan roasts carrots and onions with spices like turmeric and paprika to create plenty of flavor before tossing them with millet, walnuts, and chickpeas.
(Photo: The Minimalist Vegan)
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Berry Quinoa Salad
This recipe may strike you as super weird at first, since quinoa is generally served as a savory dish. Not here. We toss the super grain with sweet berries, because…why not? (One good reason: antioxidants.) And guess what? It really, really works.
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Meyer Lemon Grain Salad with Asparagus
Asparagus, almonds, and goat cheese is a winning combo, and The Kitchn throws it all together with pearled couscous and farro for a hearty meal.
(Photo: The Kitchn)
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Classic Fresh Quinoa Salad
If you want a basic quinoa salad you can make week after week and not get sick of, this one from Two Peas and Their Pod is totally it. It’s got cucumber, tomato, spinach, and avocado and is dressed with a simple vinaigrette.
(Photo: Two Peas and Their Pod)
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Bulgur Salad With Feta and Pine Nuts
Bulgur is packed with fiber and protein, and Martha’s simple recipe with shallots, pine nuts, and feta is the perfect side salad to serve with chicken, fish, or as part of a veggie spread.
(Photo: Shutterstock)
