Wheat berries are a type of grain prevalent and full of nutrition. But not many people know how to cook wheat berries properly. So, you can find out more information in detail in my article.
1. Frequently Asked Questions
1.1. Should Wheat Berries Be Soaked Before Cooking?
You can cook wheat berries that don’t need to soak them before cooking, however soaking will reduce the cooking time ( about 10 minutes ) and helps the body absorb nutrients efficiently.
1.2. Should Rinse Wheat Berries Before Cooking?
It is generally recommended to rinse wheat berries before cooking them. Rinsing helps remove any dirt, debris, or impurities that may be present on the grains. Additionally, rinsing can help remove any natural or added substances like dust, chaff, or residues from processing.
1.3. How Much Wheat Berries Per Person?
According to my real experience, you should use approximately 1/4 to 1/3 cup (45 to 60 grams) of dry wheat berries per person.
2. How To Cook Wheat Berries on Stove
Ingredients
- 1 cup of hard red winter wheat berries
- 3 cups of water or vegetable broth
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp olive oil
Instructions
Rinse the hard red winter wheat berries in a fine-mesh strainer under cold water, and pick out any debris or stones.
In a medium-sized pot, add the rinsed wheat berries and 3 cups of water or vegetable broth. Add salt to taste.
Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a lid.
Simmer the hard red winter wheat berries for a hour, or until they’re tender but still chewy. You may need to add more water or broth during the cooking process if the liquid evaporates.
Once the hard red winter wheat berries are done cooking, drain off any excess liquid, add 1/2 tsp olive oil and fluff them with a fork.
Serve the cooked wheat berries as a side dish, or use them as a base for salads or bowls.
3. How To Cook Wheat Berries in Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 cup hard red wheat berries
- 3 cups of water
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter (for flavor) (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Rinse the wheat berries under running water then toast them if you have a lot of time
Step 2: Add prepared wheat berries, water, salt, and olive oil to the Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for 35 minutes.
Step 3: When done, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quickly release any remaining pressure.
Step 4: Finally, drain the wheat berries and use them in other recipes
4. How To Cook Wheat Berries in Rice Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 cup of hard red winter wheat berries
- 2 1/2 cups of water or vegetable broth
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
Rinse the hard red winter wheat berries in a fine-mesh strainer under cold water, and pick out any debris or stones.
Add the rinsed wheat berries to the rice cooker.
Add 2 1/2 cups of water or vegetable broth to the rice cooker, and add salt to taste, if desired.
Close the lid of the rice cooker and set it to the “brown rice” or “whole grain” setting.
Once the rice cooker has finished cooking, let it sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the hard red winter wheat berries to absorb any excess liquid.
Open the lid of the rice cooker and fluff the cooked hard red winter wheat berries with a fork.
Serve the cooked wheat berries as a side dish, or use them in other recipes.
5. What To Do With Cooked Wheat Berries
Salads: Mix cooked wheat berries with vegetables, fruits, nuts, and dressing to make a hearty salad. Try mixing cooked wheat berries with diced tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, feta cheese, and a lemon vinaigrette for a Mediterranean-inspired salad.
Soups: Add cooked wheat berries to soups for extra texture and flavor. Try adding cooked wheat berries to vegetable soup or minestrone soup.
Bowls: Use cooked wheat berries as a base for bowls. Top with roasted vegetables, protein, and dressing for a filling meal. Try topping cooked wheat berries with roasted sweet potato, baked chicken breast, and a tahini dressing for a satisfying bowl.
Side dishes: Use cooked wheat berries as a side dish instead of rice or potatoes. Try mixing cooked wheat berries with sautéed garlic, mushrooms, and spinach for a flavorful side dish.
Breakfast: Use cooked wheat berries as a breakfast grain instead of oatmeal or quinoa. Mix with milk, cinnamon, and honey for a warm and satisfying breakfast.
I sure that after reading this article, you can know well how to cook wheat berries in 3 different ways. You only need to follow each step with happiness and carefulness to get the best result