6 Easy Whole Grain Salad Recipes

Move over, pasta salad! We're cooking up hearty side dishes with whole grains -- quinoa, buckwheat, farro, millet, barley and brown rice --- that take no time to come together and taste great.

By Melissa Clark | Photography by Con Poulos

HERBED QUINOA

Dress this creamy yet crunchy grain with a little EVOO and fresh herbs, and you've got a savory stand-in for polenta or couscous.

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BUCKWHEAT WITH PASTA, ONIONS AND MUSHROOMS

Try toasting the buckwheat before cooking to add an earthy, smoky flavor to this dish.

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FARRO-AND-RED PEPPER SALAD WITH SESAME AND GINGER

Make this recipe ahead of time: The flavors will become more intense, and unlike other starches the farro won't dry out or get mushy.

Get the recipe for Farro-and-Red Pepper Salad with Sesame and Ginger >>
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MILLET PILAF WITH ALMONDS AND FETA

Switch up your everyday pilaf for millet and you'll get an extra antioxidant boost.

Get the recipe for Millet Pilaf with Almonds and Feta >>
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PESTO BARLEY WITH MOZZARELLA AND CHERRY TOMATOES

Keep cooked barley on hand in the freezer -- it defrosts easily in the microwave -- and you can toss this salad together in minutes.

Get the recipe for Pesto Barley with Mozzarella and Cherry Tomatoes >>
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DIRTY BROWN RICE

It's easy to introduce your family to brown rice when it's mixed with sausage and peppers, and they'll get three times the fiber than they would have with white rice.

Get the recipe for Dirty Brown Rice >>
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