This Squash & Wheat Berry Salad captures all the different flavors of sweet, savory, tart, and nutty. Batch cook for the week for a satisfying meal or side dish. 

One of my meal prep strategies is batch cooking at least one whole grain for the week. Then that whole grain is incorporated throughout the week in various ways.
I’ve been utilizing my Instant Pot to quickly batch cook grains for my weekly meal prep. Wheat berries can take up to an hour to cook and require you to keep a constant eye on them. Throw them into the Instant Pot and voila – done in half the time!

I’ve had a little extra time on my hands this week being completely snowed in the past two days. With an already prepped batch of wheat berries in my fridge, I utilized the ingredients in my kitchen to create this dish.
I feel like many of my recipes are like I am a contestant on Chopped. The items that are in my kitchen are my “mystery basket”. I must say it is a much easier mystery basket than what the contestants end up with. Chopped viewers voted, mashed potatoes candies were voted the weirdest basket ingredient on the show. What even are those?!

Squash season is not over yet! I love using delicata squash because of its more tender flesh and skin, making this variety easier to work with. No need to even peel the skin!

Make your own vinaigrette:

You know I love making my own dressings. It’s SO easy. Want to create your own signature vinaigrette? Use my guide with your favorite flavor combination!

Squash Wheat Berry Salad

• Author: Chef Julie Harrington, RD
• Prep Time: 30
• Cook Time: 8
• Total Time: 38 minutes
• Yield: 6
• Category: side dish

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Description

This Squash & Wheat Berry Salad captures all the different flavors of sweet, savory, tart, and nutty. Batch cook for the week for a satisfying meal or side dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups wheat berries, cooked
• 1 delicata squash (about 2 cups), or your favorite squash
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• zest of one orange
• 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 2 cups kale, stems removed and chopped
• ½ cup dried tart cherries
• 1/3 cup sliced almond

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Instructions

1. Cook wheat berries according to package directions (or try my Instant Pot Wheat Berries recipe for a simple method). Let cool once cooked.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Dice delicate squash. Toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast for 20-30 minutes, until squash is tender and caramelized, stirring occasionally.
3. In a mason jar, combine remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, orange zest, orange juice, and maple syrup. Secure the mason jar lid and vigorously shake. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
4. In a large bowl, combine wheat berries, squash, kale, dried tart cherries, and sliced almond. Dress with salad dressing. Toss to combine.

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Notes

Instant Pot Wheat Berries recipe here

Keywords: side dish, farro, whole grain, squash, salad

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