Introduction
Get ready to discover a truly remarkable dish: Freekeh Salad! This vibrant, hearty, and incredibly flavourful salad is a delightful Middle Eastern creation. It’s packed with chewy, nutty freekeh, an abundance of fresh, crisp vegetables, and a zesty lemon-herb dressing that ties everything together. It’s a wonderful and wholesome change from your everyday grain salad, offering a unique texture and taste experience.
The best part? This Freekeh Salad recipe is surprisingly simple and quick to put together. Most of your time will be spent chopping fresh ingredients. The freekeh itself cooks easily on the stovetop, much like rice, and the bright dressing whips up in mere minutes. It’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal, a healthy packed lunch, or a fantastic, crowd-pleasing addition to any potluck or gathering.
So, let’s dive in and create something truly special. This Freekeh Salad offers a perfect balance of textures and bright, refreshing flavours. It’s nourishing, delicious, and utterly irresistible. We can’t wait for you to try it and make it a staple in your kitchen!
Cooking Time & Prep Time
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
Small tip: To save time, you can chop all your fresh vegetables while the freekeh is cooking. This makes the assembly process super quick!
Ingredients
This recipe makes 4-6 servings.
For the Freekeh:
- 1 cup whole grain freekeh, rinsed
- 2 ½ cups vegetable broth or water
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Lemon Herb Dressing:
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from about 1-2 lemons)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Salad:
- 1 large cucumber, diced
- 2 ripe tomatoes, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ½ small red onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh mint, chopped
- Optional: ½ cup crumbled feta cheese or 1 can (15-ounce) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Step 1: Cook the Freekeh
First, rinse the freekeh thoroughly under cold running water using a fine-mesh sieve. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed freekeh, vegetable broth (or water), and salt. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan tightly with a lid, and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes. Cook until the freekeh is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed.
Small tip: Whole grain freekeh takes a little longer to cook than cracked
