If you are looking for a new way to eat freekeh, then you should try this Freekeh salad! This salad is a total breeze to make and is ready to rock your side dish game with some serious whole-grain power. In most households, people prepare freekeh regularly with many meals. This recipe never fails to impress and it’s failproof; a super flavorful bite is guaranteed.
The best part about this salad is that it is really simple and nutritious. Freekeh is a super grain, it is low in fat, and high in fiber and protein. So give this tasty grain a try with this Healthy Freekeh Salad recipe!
Fresh Freekeh Salad for a Healthy Life!
Facts about Freekeh
Freekeh is dried green wheat, it is usually harvested while the grains are still soft, then sun-dried. It, later on, gets roasted which gives it a distinctive kind of smokey flavor. It is very commonly given the name of the green grain, similar to a few green things, freekeh has a lot of energy to give. As a whole grain, it is high in fiber and protein and low in fat. When you compare it to brown rice, and more surprisingly, quinoa, you will discover that it is more nutritious!
It is a common grain in the Middle East and North Africa.
Palestinians enjoy it often, especially with chicken, which makes a fantastic, quick weeknight meal.
Freekeh has gained popularity and has become more widely distributed. That said, you may run into two types – whole and cracked. You have to be mindful of the cooking instructions because whole freekeh will take about 40 minutes to cook. Cracked freekeh takes approximately half that amount of time.
Grains on Top
Variations and substitutions
You can enjoy this vegetarian dish on its own, but if you want to add protein, then chicken, shrimp, or any seafood would pair well.
If you want to keep this gluten-free, substitute quinoa for freekeh, which is a great alternative, as you can encounter in other recipes such as quinoa greek salad.
Serve it as an accompanying pilaf or a salad, in this case with pomegranate seeds, pistachios, mint, and spring onion.
After that, add diced or grated carrots to this salad in order to give it a juicy flavor.
White kidney beans are also a perfect addition to any salad as they are nutritious and give the salad more of a delicious taste.
Celery adds crunch and a naturally salty flavor. Also, make sure to grab a few stalks and dice them small enough in order to make it easier to blend together with the freekeh and chickpeas.
It is preferable to add some garlic to the dressing to give it more taste. Then, add a sprinkle of green pepper.
Add Some Yummy Dressing
Tips and Tricks
It is preferable to serve the salad within a few hours of tossing it with the dressing, but it will keep for a few days in the refrigerator. Store the cooked freekeh in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
Soaking freekeh overnight reduces the cooking time to 10 minutes and softens the bran which is better for digestion.
It is also important to mention that you can use this freekeh grain to make a delicious Freekeh Soup recipe.
Well Designed Salad
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Now you can absolutely use quinoa for this recipe, especially if you’re following a gluten-free diet since freekeh is made from wheat.
Wholegrain freekeh is similar to wheat berries, it is firm and chewy. However, cracked freekeh is just what it sounds like, wholegrain freekeh broken into smaller pieces. Cracked freekeh is softer and similar to bulgur after cooking.
Freekeh is best reheated in a basket steamer like you would reheat rice and other grains. You can also reheat it in the microwave. If you reheat it in a pan on the stove, be sure to add water or broth to avoid burning it on the bottom.
Yes, it can be cooked freekeh in an instant pot. All you have to do is add 1 cup of the green grain and 1 ¾ cups of water or broth. Then, you must cook on high heat and Sauté for 8 minutes to allow a natural release which can take up to 15 minutes. In case you use cracked freekeh, the time should be reduced to 6 minutes.
Fresh Freekeh Salad
Minted Sumac Dressing
As this salad is common in the Middle East, then you can add a widely used and famous dressing on top of it which is the minted sumac dressing.
This dressing consists of a mixture of olive oil, sumac, garlic, mint, and salt. By that, it is very easy to prepare and makes this recipe even more authentic.
Ingredients You Will Need
Salad Ingredients:
Freekeh
Olive oil or ghee
Red onion
Cucumbers
Cherry tomatoes
Pecans
Green onions
Pomegranate seeds
Pistachios
Hot water for freekeh
Dressing:
Olive oil
Pomegranate molasses
Salt
Dried mint
Colorful Freekeh Salad
Steps To Prep
First, rinse the freekeh until it is clean. Soak for 20 minutes.
When done, add to a pot with 1 tablespoon ghee or olive oil, and sauté for 2 minutes or until fragrant.
Next, add salt to taste and add 1½ cups hot water to cover the top.
After that, let it boil, then lower the heat and cover to let it fully cook for about 15 minutes. Set aside and let it cool.
Then, chop the cucumbers, green onions, and red onions into fine pieces.
After, cut each cherry tomato into quarters.
Then, roughly chop the pistachios and pecans (if using).
To assemble, add freekeh, cucumbers, red and green onions, tomatoes, pistachios, and pecans to a bowl.
Finally, add pomegranate seeds and the salad dressing mixture and toss until well mixed.
Grain it to Gain it!
Other Must Try Recipes:
Cucumber Yogurt Salad | Khiyar Bi Laban
Tabbouli Salad Recipe (Tabbouleh)
Middle Eastern Kidney Bean Beef Stew
Mujadara Lentils and Spiced Rice
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Freekeh Salad
Ingredients
- ¾ cup freekeh
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or ghee
- ½ red onion
- 2 persian cucumbers
- 10 cherry tomatoes
- ¼ cup pecans optional
- ¼ cup green onions
- ¼ cup pomegranate seeds
- 2 tablespoons pistachios
- 1½ cups hot water for Freekeh
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1½ tablespoons pomegranate molasses
- salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon dried mint
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice or to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the freekeh until it is clean.
- Soak for 20 minutes.
- When done, add to a pot with 1 tablespoon ghee or olive oil, and sauté for 2 minutes or until fragrant.
- Add salt to taste and add 1½ cups hot water to cover the top.
- Let it boil then lower heat and cover to let it fully cook, about 15 minutes.
- Set aside and let it cool.
- Chop the cucumbers, green onions, and red onions into fine pieces.
- Cut each cherry tomato into quarters.
- Roughly chop the pistachios and pecans (if using).
- To assemble, add freekeh, cucumbers, red and green onions, tomatoes, pistachios, and pecans to a bowl.
- Add pomegranate seeds and the salad dressing mixture and toss until well mixed.
Notes
- It is preferable to serve the salad within a few hours of tossing it with the dressing, but it will keep for a few days in the refrigerator. Store the cooked freekeh in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
- Soaking freekeh overnight reduces the cooking time to 10 minutes and softens the bran which is better for digestion.
- Pomegranate Molasses is tangy! Add lemon juice slowly to not make it too sour and acidic.
This freekeh salad is SO good mashallah! It’s so fresh and crunchy, and makes for an really healthy after workout meal. Even my kids loved it! Thank you so much for all your amazing recipes. They never dissapoint
Made this and it was delicious and easy to make. Will Def make again. !
Made it for a side today and we loved it! Love wll the crunch in it