Grain salads are a great way to make meals feel fresh and satisfying, no matter the season. These recipes are packed with hearty ingredients like quinoa, couscous, barley, and more, paired with seasonal vegetables, herbs, and bold dressings that keep things interesting. Whether you're looking for a side dish that steals the spotlight or a main that holds its own, these salads are the perfect mix of wholesome and creative. They’re proof that simple ingredients can come together in unexpected ways to make something that really hits the spot.
Bulgur Salad With Roasted Butternut Squash and Leeks
This bulgur salad brings together roasted butternut squash, leeks, and fragrant rosemary in a garlic-forward dish. Creamy and hearty, it’s a standout choice for weeknight meals or grain salads that shine at the dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Bulgur Salad With Roasted Butternut Squash and Leeks
Quinoa Taco Salad
Quinoa taco salad is loaded with black beans, fresh vegetables, and vibrant herbs, all tossed in a flavorful salsa dressing. This nutrient-rich recipe is a quick, crowd-pleasing option for grain salads that double as meal prep or casual dining.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Taco Salad
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Mediterranean quinoa salad pairs fresh vegetables, tender beans, and fragrant herbs in every bite. As a refreshing and hearty grain salad, it’s a versatile option for light lunches, family dinners, or as a flavorful side dish.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Wheat Berry Salad
Wheatberry salad is packed with peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, and chickpeas for a nutrient-dense grain salad. Its chewy texture and vibrant vegetables make it perfect for summer cookouts or as a crowd-pleasing side.
Get the Recipe: Wheat Berry Salad
Mediterranean Orzo & Shrimp Salad
Mediterranean orzo salad combines shrimp, crisp vegetables, and a lemony herb dressing for a flavorful experience. A quick and hearty grain salad, it works equally well for light meals or as a refreshing side dish.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Orzo & Shrimp Salad
Barley Butternut Squash Salad
This barley butternut squash salad mixes the tartness of pomegranate and cranberries with the earthiness of rosemary. Tossed in a tangy cranberry vinaigrette, it’s a vibrant grain salad perfect for the holidays or fall gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Barley Butternut Squash Salad
Couscous Salad With Tofu
Vegan couscous salad with tofu features fresh vegetables and a bright lemon juice dressing. Light yet hearty, it’s a versatile grain salad for lunches, dinners, or plant-based meal options.
Get the Recipe: Couscous Salad With Tofu
Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Smoked Tomatoes
Mediterranean couscous salad with smoked tomatoes features bold, savory flavors and wholesome ingredients. This hearty grain salad stands out for its rich textures, making it a great option for lunches or dinner sides.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Smoked Tomatoes
Cranberry Quinoa Salad
Vegan quinoa salad brings dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, and fresh herbs together for a lively dish. As a nutrient-packed grain salad, it’s a fantastic option for seasonal gatherings or as a colorful addition to your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Quinoa Salad
Couscous salad
Packed with veggies, this couscous salad is versatile enough to serve as a hearty main or side dish. Its robust combination of grains and flavors makes it a reliable choice for grain salads that complement a variety of meals.
Get the Recipe: Couscous salad
Bulgur Salad With Feta, Blood Orange, Pomegranate and Herbs
Mediterranean bulgur salad combines fresh parsley, mint, and citrusy blood oranges with salty feta and juicy pomegranate seeds. This quick, vibrant grain salad is a festive addition to any gathering or celebratory spread.
Get the Recipe: Bulgur Salad With Feta, Blood Orange, Pomegranate and Herbs
Lemon Quinoa with Roasted Grapes and Walnuts
Lemon quinoa with roasted grapes and walnuts offers a sweet and savory twist, balancing earthy and fruity flavors. This unique grain salad is perfect for light lunches or adding variety to any meal lineup.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Quinoa with Roasted Grapes and Walnuts
Millet Tabbouleh
Millet tabbouleh swaps millet for traditional bulgur to recreate the classic herbaceous flavors of the dish. Bright and lemony, this grain salad is a refreshing side or a vibrant option for gatherings and casual meals.
Get the Recipe: Millet Tabbouleh
Greek Quinoa Salad
Greek quinoa salad features fresh vegetables, creamy feta, and a tangy vinaigrette for bold, satisfying flavors. This hearty grain salad works perfectly as a vegetarian main or a flavorful side for your next gathering.
Get the Recipe: Greek Quinoa Salad
Kale Quinoa Salad
Kale quinoa salad celebrates fresh greens and protein-rich grains in a dish packed with nutrients. Hearty and flavorful, it’s an excellent grain salad for any season, whether as a side or light main.
Get the Recipe: Kale Quinoa Salad
Butternut Squash Wild Rice Pilaf
Butternut squash and wild rice pilaf blends the nutty flavor of wild rice with the sweet earthiness of squash. This hearty grain salad is perfect for fall menus or as a comforting side dish for rice enthusiasts.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Wild Rice Pilaf
Citrus Asparagus Couscous
Citrus asparagus couscous combines tender asparagus, zesty citrus, and fluffy couscous into a vibrant dish. Quick to prepare, this grain salad is great for busy weeknights or as a refreshing BBQ side.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Asparagus Couscous
Middle Eastern Quinoa Salad
Middle Eastern quinoa salad channels the flavors of traditional tabbouleh with a modern twist. Herbaceous and lemony, this grain salad is a versatile choice for barbecues, lunches, or dinner sides.
Get the Recipe: Middle Eastern Quinoa Salad
Vegetable Moroccan Couscous
Vegetable Moroccan couscous combines roasted veggies with warm spices, creating a flavorful dish with depth. A hearty grain salad, it doubles as a satisfying vegetarian main or a colorful side.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Moroccan Couscous
Summer Barley Salad
Barley salad with zucchini, tomatoes, and feta celebrates fresh seasonal produce in a wholesome dish. Perfect for late summer, this hearty grain salad is simple yet full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Summer Barley Salad
Italian Rice Salad
Italian rice salad brings together rice, vegetables, and herbs in a versatile and flavorful dish. Ideal for potlucks, picnics, or casual lunches, this grain salad is a must-have for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Italian Rice Salad
Mediterranean Bulgur Salad
Mediterranean grain salad pairs cucumbers, tomatoes, feta, and red onions with a tangy lemon mint vinaigrette. This refreshing grain salad adds a pop of flavor to meals and shines as a standalone dish.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Bulgur Salad
Bulgur Salad with Orange Dijon Dressing
Bulgur salad with orange Dijon dressing combines nutty grains with a tangy-sweet profile. This vibrant grain salad is a nourishing and delicious option for meals or gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Bulgur Salad with Orange Dijon Dressing
Wheatberry Currant Salad
Wheatberry currant salad is a chewy, cinnamon-spiced grain salad filled with tart currants and a honey-orange dressing. Its sweet and earthy flavors make it a great side or potluck addition.
Get the Recipe: Wheatberry Currant Salad
Quinoa Mango Spinach Salad
Quinoa mango spinach salad mixes sweet mango, fresh spinach, and protein-rich quinoa into a bright and flavorful dish. This hearty grain salad is perfect for quick meals or a light vegetarian main course.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Mango Spinach Salad
Quinoa Salad
Quinoa salad with cucumbers, fresh herbs, and chickpeas features a lemony dressing and crunchy pistachios. Filling and refreshing, this grain salad is versatile enough for lunches, sides, or meal prep.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Salad
Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad
Pearl couscous salad blends Israeli couscous with pumpkin, tomatoes, and peppers, all in a tahini lemon dressing. Infused with Moroccan spices, this hearty grain salad is perfect for adding depth to your table.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad
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