Wheat Berry Bruschetta Salad

Wheat berry salad with homegrown tomatoes and fresh basil is a summer staple in our house.  This hearty whole grain salad is essentially bruschetta in its most basic form.  

Wheat berries are a healthy whole grain

Wheat berries are chewy, flavorful, and an excellent source of many nutrients and fiber.  Because wheat berries are an intact whole grain, they are digested slowly and have a low glycemic index.  That means that they won’t spike your blood sugar when you eat them (unlike refined grains) and you will stay full longer.

Don’t be intimidated by the time it takes to cook the wheat berries.  They can be cooked ahead of time and refrigerated until needed.  You can also cook them in larger batches and freeze the wheat berries in salad-sized portions.

Simple Make-Ahead Wheat Berry Salad with Tomatoes, Basil and Red Onion

This bruschetta wheat berry salad is a healthy and filling summer meal.  It is delicious when made with just-cooked wheat berries, and also refreshing when prepared with pre-cooked, refrigerated wheat berries.  And because this salad is dairy-free with ingredients that do not wilt quickly, it is a fantastic choice for serving at summer cookouts.

Tested and delicious substitutions

• Cooked quinoa can be used in place of wheat berries for a gluten-free option

Healthy Wheat Berry Bruschetta Salad Recipe

*Note: Tomatoes consistently test positive for pesticides in the USDA’s Pesticide Data Program, so I choose to purchase organically raised or pesticide free tomatoes. 

Other healthy and delicious summer recipes:

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