[Photographs: Yasmin Fahr, Vicky Wasik, Jennifer Olvera, Daniel Gritzer]
We rely heavily on grain and rice salads in the wintertime, packing them with the filling, nutrient-dense ingredients they need to become a hearty meal. But then again, the prospect of a dish that requires just one round of cooking, yet can last for days in the refrigerator, is pretty enticing when the temperature starts to rise. Because grain salads are so flexible, you can do a lot of improvising with them, too, using them as vehicles for whatever tasty in-season produce you happen to have picked up recently. And, at the end of the day, they're just plain easy, a feature we can appreciate all year long. Asparagus and peas with farro, cucumber and tomato with quinoa, and mango and avocado with black rice are just a few of the fresh, seasonally appropriate combinations you'll find in the 13 recipes listed below. If you need a recap of various grains and how to use them, check our comprehensive guide to whole grains here.
Toasted Bulgur Salad With Smoked Trout, Radishes, and Green Apple
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
Because it starts off parboiled, bulgur cooks up very quickly, making it a good choice for weeknight dinners. Soaking it in boiling water yields a fluffier texture than simmering. For this salad, we toss cooked bulgur with a combination of ingredients that work surprisingly well together: crispy radish and tart apple, flaky smoked trout, and candied lemon, which lends a bright, tangy touch without tasting harsh.
Get the recipe for Toasted Bulgur Salad With Smoked Trout, Radishes, and Green Apple »
Bulgur Salad With Apricots, Radicchio, Herbs, and Walnuts
[Photograph: Jennifer Segal]
This salad is full of diverse flavors and textures, pairing earthy, fluffy bulgur with bitter radicchio, sweet and chewy dried apricots, crunchy walnuts (toasted first, for deeper flavor), and fresh herbs. We dress the salad very simply, with a mixture of olive oil, agave nectar, and lemon juice.
Get the recipe for Bulgur Salad With Apricots, Radicchio, Herbs, and Walnuts »
The Best Tabbouleh Salad
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
American tabbouleh tends to be heavy on the bulgur, but in the Middle East, parsley is the real focus of this cooling summer salad. We salt the tomatoes and parsley to help draw out excess liquid, then use the drained-off tomato water to soak the grain. To keep the herbs looking and tasting their freshest, chop them by hand instead of using a food processor.
Get the recipe for The Best Tabbouleh Salad »
Warm Farro Salad With Asparagus, Peas, and Feta
[Photograph: Yasmin Fahr]
Nutty farro and sturdy kale are well suited to a cold-weather salad, but get transformed into a springier one with the addition of asparagus and peas. You can swap out those vegetables for whatever seasonal items you've got on hand, though. Briny feta and a tangy Dijon vinaigrette further brighten up the dish.
Get the recipe for Warm Farro Salad With Asparagus, Peas, and Feta »
Farro Salad With Lentils, Beans, and Oven-Roasted Vegetables
[Photograph: Deborah Mele]
For a more summery take, combine cooked farro with roasted zucchini, eggplant, red and yellow peppers, and onion. Lightly caramelizing the vegetables in the oven brings out their rich sweetness, while white beans and lentils bulk up the salad into a main course.
Get the recipe for Farro Salad With Lentils, Beans, and Oven-Roasted Vegetables »
Whole-Grain Spelt Salad With Leeks and Marinated Mushrooms
[Photograph: Daniel Gritzer]
In contrast with mild farro, spelt is hearty and toasty, which means it's ripe for pairing with brighter flavors. In this recipe, that means cooked mushrooms and leeks marinated in vinegar—each piece gives the salad a pop of tartness that cuts through the heavy grain. A sprinkling of fruity Espelette pepper powder is an elegant finishing touch.
Get the recipe for Whole-Grain Spelt Salad With Leeks and Marinated Mushrooms »
Carrot and Rye Berry Salad With Celery, Cilantro, and Marcona Almonds
[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]
With malty rye berries, tender carrots, red onion, and fresh cilantro and celery, plus Marcona almonds for crunch, this vegan salad delivers a whole range of flavors and textures. An acidic dressing flavored with mustard, lemon, and vinegar adds plenty of brightness. If you don't have rye berries, wheatberries or barley would work, too.
Get the recipe for Carrot and Rye Berry Salad With Celery, Cilantro, and Marcona Almonds »
Warm Whole-Grain Salad With Fennel, Arugula, Prosciutto, and Pecorino
[Photograph: Lauren Rothman]
For a salad that truly eats like a meal, try this combination of sweet roasted fennel bulb, peppery arugula, and rich, salty pecorino and prosciutto. Any whole grain will do here—rye berries, wheatberries, spelt, and farro are all solid choices.
Get the recipe for Warm Whole-Grain Salad With Fennel, Arugula, Prosciutto, and Pecorino »
Warm Couscous Salad With Salmon and Mustard-Dill Dressing
[Photograph: Yasmin Fahr]
Dill, mustard, and salmon is a classic trio, and we put it to use in this salad of pearled (Israeli) couscous. Adding fresh spinach while the grain is still hot helps the leaves wilt a little. After that, simply mix in chopped dill, mustard, and lemon juice, then flake in tender sautéed salmon, and lunch is ready.
Get the recipe for Warm Couscous Salad With Salmon and Mustard-Dill Dressing »
Make-Ahead Quinoa Salad With Cucumber, Tomato, and Herbs
[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]
While some grains get soggy after they're dressed, quinoa only gets better as it sits, which means it's a handy ingredient for make-ahead salads to take to work or school. This one is loosely based on tabbouleh, featuring quinoa mixed with tomatoes, cucumber, and fresh parsley and mint. As with tabbouleh, be sure to salt and drain the tomatoes and cucumber before incorporating.
Get the recipe for Make-Ahead Quinoa Salad With Cucumber, Tomato, and Herbs »
Quinoa Salad With Dried Tart Cherries, Mint, and Feta in Lemon-Sumac Vinaigrette
[Photograph: Jennifer Olvera]
Inspired by the Middle Eastern bread salad fattoush, this salad is buzzing with bright ingredients: dried cherries, mint, parsley, feta, and pomegranate seeds. And, to really punch up the tanginess, we dress it with a lemon vinaigrette flavored with sumac, a Middle Eastern spice with a bold, tart flavor.
Fruity Black Rice Salad With Cilantro, Avocado, and Pepitas in Chili-Orange Vinaigrette
[Photograph: Jennifer Olvera]
Black rice is a delicate beast: Cook it too little and it'll end up unpleasantly chewy; too much and it'll turn soggy. For the right consistency, pull it from the heat just as it loses its bite. Once you've cooked the rice, combine it with avocado, mango, orange, cilantro, and toasted pepitas for a colorful salad with a whiff of tropical flavor.
Wild Rice Salad With Cranberries and Pecans
[Photograph: Jennifer Segal]
Dried cranberries and pecans may be thought of as fall ingredients, but they're available packaged year-round, so why not pick them up in the summertime? Here, we use them in a robust salad of wild rice dressed with an orange-scented vinaigrette. Just a teaspoon of honey gives the vinaigrette a touch of sweetness, but doesn't overwhelm.
Get the recipe for Wild Rice Salad With Cranberries and Pecans »
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