Spicy Wheatberry Salad

Elevate your salad game with this Spicy Wheatberry Salad—a bold and hearty dish that's as nutritious as it is flavorful. Packed with chewy wheatberries, crisp cucumber, sweet red bell pepper, and creamy crumbled feta, this salad is brought to life by a smoky and zesty dressing featuring smoked paprika, cumin, and a hint of cayenne for a spicy kick. Fresh parsley adds a burst of freshness, while a tangy mix of lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and honey ties it all together. Perfect as a light lunch, a satisfying side, or a make-ahead option for meal prep, this vibrant salad is sure to become a favorite. Ready in just over an hour, it’s a wholesome and satisfying recipe that can be served chilled or at room temperature—ideal for any time of year.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup wheatberries
• 3 cups water
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium cucumber, diced
• 0.5 medium red onion, finely chopped
• 0.25 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 0.5 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoons honey
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cumin
• 0.25 teaspoons cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the wheatberries under cold water and drain.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the wheatberries, water, and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 50–60 minutes or until the wheatberries are tender but still chewy.

Step 3

Drain the cooked wheatberries and allow them to cool to room temperature.

Step 4

While the wheatberries cool, prepare the vegetables by dicing the red bell pepper, cucumber, red onion, and chopping the parsley.

Step 5

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, honey, minced garlic, smoked paprika, ground cumin, cayenne pepper (if using), and black pepper to create the dressing.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled wheatberries, diced vegetables, chopped parsley, and crumbled feta cheese.

Step 7

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly.

Step 8

Let the salad sit for 15–20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1528.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1535.3

Total Fat 73.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 24.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 100mg	0%
Sodium 2525.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 182.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 31.9g	0%
Total Sugars 20.1g
Protein 47.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 883.9mg	0%
Iron 14.5mg	0%
Potassium 2188.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 41.7%

Protein: 12.1%

Carbs: 46.2%