15 Fresh and Healthy Grain Salads to Make Ahead This Week

Get your meal planning on and prep these healthy grain salads to give you an upper hand on the week ahead.

Late summer is the time to lean into grain salads for lunch and dinner. They’re a great way to use the summer produce overflowing at the farmer’s markets and can be made ahead of time, making busy weeks just a little easier. Prepare the salads on the weekend and eat for lunch or dinner all week long.

This is a great time to brush up on your quinoa and rice cooking skills. To save room on the stove, I usually use the Instant Pot. It's important to cool the grains before combining in the salad. Try spreading them on a baking sheet to speed up the cooling process.

The recipes below use a variety of grains. You’ll want to stock up on long grain rice, either red or white quinoa, and pearl barley.

Curry Rice Salad

Turn brown rice into an inspiring, colorful salad with the addition of curry powder, apples, and raisins. Make it into a main course with the addition of poached chicken or canned chickpeas.

Get Recipe: Curry Rice Salad

Quinoa, Arugula, and Feta Salad

Red quinoa and green arugula are an eye-pleasing, flavorful combination. If you can’t find block feta, then look for crumbles.

Get Recipe: Quinoa, Arugula, and Feta Salad

Tabbouleh

This Middle Eastern favorite might be the best-known of all salads. If you want to make it more authentic, double the herbs.

Get Recipe: Easy Tabbouleh

Basmati Rice Salad with Peas, Mint, and Lemon

Use your bumper crop of mint to make a refreshing rice salad and eat it as a light lunch or side salad for dinner. You could substitute basmati rice for jasmine or another long grain rice if needed.

Get Recipe: Basmati Rice Salad with Peas, Mint, and Lemon

Barley Lunch Jars

Assemble these jar salads 4 to 5 days ahead for grab-and-go lunches. You can even eat them straight form the jar! Customize with feta, nuts, or tomatoes. Dress on the spot for the freshest experience.

Get Recipe: Instant Pot Barley Lunch Jars

Strawberry Arugula Quinoa Salad

Bring juicy strawberries, peppery arugula, and nutty quinoa together with an orange vinaigrette. This salad would make a great addition to a brunch menu or as a side for grilled chicken.

Get Recipe: Strawberry Arugula Quinoa Salad

Wild Rice Salad

This recipe uses both wild rice and basmati rice and makes 10 servings for salads all week long. The crunchy celery and sweetness from the dried cranberries keeps each bite interesting. You can substitute water for the chicken broth when cooking the rice for a vegan option.

Get Recipe: Wild Rice Salad

Quinoa With Sweet Potatoes, Black Beans, and Spinach

A grain bowl is basically a deconstructed salad that lets everyone add what they want and leave out what they don’t. If you’re in a hurry, you can serve the black beans unadorned, right from the can. Don’t skip the sauce though. The spicy sour cream sauce will bring it all together.

Get Recipe: Quinoa Bowls With Sweet Potatoes, Black Beans, and Spinach

Chickpea and Barley Salad

Break out of your rut and combine barley with chickpeas, parsley, and the Moroccan spice ras el hanout. The salad needs to rest for an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Get Recipe: Chickpea and Barley Salad

Southwestern Quinoa Salad

This salad is crowd-pleaser and incredibly versatile. Serve it at room temperature or chilled, making it convenient for lunch or dinner. Canned black beans add heft without extra work.

Get Recipe: Southwestern Quinoa Salad

Quinoa Succotash

Succotash is made by cooking corn and beans, so why not add some quinoa while you’re at it?

Get Recipe: Quinoa Succotash

Cucumber Mint Quinoa Salad

Both cucumbers and mint are abundant this time of year. Use your stash or head to a farmer’s market and pick up these summery ingredients. Persian cucumbers are ideal because of their thin skin and few seeds.

Get Recipe: Cucumber Mint Quinoa Salad

Farro Salad With Green Beans, Corn, and Tomatoes

This one is a festival of summer produce. Farro adds a chewy heft and nutty flavor.

Get Recipe: Farro Salad with Green Beans, Corn, and Cherry Tomatoes

Quinoa with Tomatoes and Cheese

A creamy tomato and queso fresco sauce tops a bowl of quinoa for a comforting late summer salad. You can substitute the fresh green chiles with a can of diced green chiles if you prefer.

Get Recipe: Quinoa with Tomatoes and Cheese

Quinoa Greek Salad

Greek salad is one of my favorite summer salads. The combination of tomatoes and cucumbers mixed with briny Kalamata olives and salty feta cheese, is refreshing on a hot day. Adding quinoa makes the salad a satisfying lunch or substantial side dish.

Get Recipe: Quinoa Greek Salad

Read the original article on Simply Recipes.