Get ready to transform your meal routine with a salad that's anything but ordinary! This wheat berry salad with bacon is a game-changing dish that combines hearty whole grains, crispy bacon, and a burst of fresh vegetables in one irresistible recipe. Imagine a meal that's not just healthy, but incredibly delicious - packed with texture, flavor, and nutrition that will have you coming back for seconds (and thirds)!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- wheat berries
- bacon
- spinach
- cherry tomatoes
- red onion
- feta cheese
- olive oil
- lemon juice
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Begin by rinsing the wheat berries thoroughly under cold water. Place them in a medium saucepan and cover with water, using a ratio of 3 cups of water for every 1 cup of wheat berries.
- Bring the wheat berries to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and simmer for approximately 25-30 minutes until the wheat berries are tender but still chewy. Drain any excess water and let cool to room temperature.
- While the wheat berries are cooking, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp and golden brown. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease, then crumble into small pieces once cooled.
- Dice the red onion into fine, small pieces. Halve the cherry tomatoes and roughly chop the fresh spinach leaves.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled wheat berries, crumbled bacon, chopped spinach, halved cherry tomatoes, and diced red onion.
- Create the dressing by whisking together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
- Pour the dressing over the wheat berry mixture and toss gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Crumble the feta cheese over the top of the salad just before serving, adding a creamy and tangy element to the dish.
- Serve the wheat berry salad at room temperature or slightly chilled, as a hearty and nutritious main course or side dish.
Tips
- Wheat Berry Cooking Secrets: Always rinse your wheat berries thoroughly and use the right water ratio to ensure perfect texture. They should be tender but still have a delightful chew.
- Bacon Perfection: Cook bacon until it's perfectly crisp for maximum flavor and crunch. Let it cool completely before crumbling to maintain its crispy texture.
- Dressing Technique: Whisk the dressing ingredients vigorously to create a well-emulsified mixture that coats every ingredient evenly.
- Make-Ahead Magic: This salad tastes even better after the flavors have melded together, so don't hesitate to prepare it in advance. It's perfect for meal prep!
- Temperature Matters: Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled to enhance the salad's complex flavor profile.
- Customize Your Creation: Feel free to swap ingredients based on what's in your pantry - try different herbs, swap feta for goat cheese, or add nuts for extra crunch.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 18g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 25mg
