12 Healthy Whole Grain Salad Recipes To Try This Summer

These healthy whole grain salad recipes are sure to be light, yet filling and absolutely delicious additions to your summer menu!

If there is one thing I love, and really appreciate having in the fridge ready for me to eat, is a healthy whole grain salad. I got into whole grains about 10 years ago when I started following The South Beach Diet after having my daughter. There are so many whole grains out there, a lot of them in my pantry still waiting for me to try out. Whole grains make a great base for salads, especially in the summer, because they are so filling yet still light at the same time. They are great for grab-and-go lunches, which come in really handy when you are focusing on eating better or trying to lose weight.

Here are some of my favorites!! Hope you are inspired to try something new!

Farro

An ancient grain that originates in the Mediterranean, it has a mild and chewy texture that not only makes a fantastic base for salads like these, but also a delicious and hearty addition to soups and casseroles.

Look for farro in your grocery store’s healthy foods or grains section, or purchase here on amazon.

Mediterranean Farro Salad with Arugula and Chickpeas (pictured above)

Italian Tuna and White Bean Farro Salad

Harvest Farro Salad

Garden Farro Salad with Feta

Quinoa

Quinoa has become very popular these last few years! It is quick cooking, high in protein and easily adaptable to be included in recipes like salads, pilafs, soups and casseroles or any recipe you would typically use rice in.

Look for quinoa in your grocery store’s healthy foods or grains section, or you can purchase here on amazon.

Carrot Raisin Quinoa Salad

Greek Grilled Cauliflower and Vidalia Onion Quinoa Salad

Fresh Corn and Quinoa Salad (pictured above)

Wheat Berries

High in protein and fiber, wheat berries are a hearty whole grain that adds great slightly crunchy texture to dishes. I’m still experimenting with including wheat berries in my recipes and have been loving them!

Look for wheat berries in your grocery store’s healthy foods or grains section, or you can purchase here on amazon.

Italian Wheat Berry Salad (pictured above)

Wheat Berry and Arugula Salad with Grapes

Brown Rice

Everyone knows brown rice! Cook it up ahead and use it for light summer side dishes like these chilled salads. I love adding fresh herbs, nuts and beans to chilled brown rice with a simple dressing of oil and vinegar.

You can find a variety of brown or whole grain rice in your grocery store.

Caprese Rice Salad

Herbed Wild Rice Salad with Toasted Pine Nuts (pictured above)

Black Bean and Rice Salad

You can find all these whole grains in most grocery stores (check the healthy foods section) or here on amazon.

More healthy whole grain salad recipes from friends:

Wheat Berry Salad with Feta and Almonds | The Lemon Bowl

Asian Quinoa Salad | Two Peas and Their Pod