27 of Our Best Whole Grain Recipes for Every Meal

Chickpea and Freekeh Salad

Power Grain: Freekeh

Cracked freekeh is a quick-cooking whole grain that is roasted, giving it a slightly nutty, smoky flavor. Cracked freekeh takes about 20 minutes to cool while who grain freekeh takes longer, between 35-40 minutes. Try it in this whole-grain salad that’s also loaded with chickpeas, avocado, and feta cheese. We know you’ll love freekeh just as much as quinoa (maybe even more).

Pumpkin Flaxseed Chocolate Breakfast Bars

Power Grains: Oats

Any breakfast that includes chocolate is a win in my book. These pumpkin bars made with nutritious ingredients such as flaxseed, whole-grain oats, and banana are the perfect way to start the day. A hint of peanut butter in the batter adds a delightful nuttiness to each bite. Use naturally-sweetened chocolate chips to keep the sugar count down.

Quick Pork-and-Vegetable Fried Brown Rice

Power Grain: Brown Rice

Sure, you could order takeout, but we think this homemade fried rice is even better. Not only is it tasty and super fast to make, but it also uses whole-grain brown rice, making it healthier than anything you can get delivered.

Italian Barley and Sausage Casserole

Power Grain: Barley

Step up your casserole game by using whole grains. This whole-grain dish utilizes barley, which can help improve heart health, bone health, and reduce inflammation. Classic ingredients such as tomato sauce, fresh mushrooms, and lots of melty mozzarella cheese keep the flavors familiar and satisfying.

Whole Wheat Chocolate-Blueberry Cake

Power Grain: Whole Wheat

This chocolate cake isn’t exactly healthy, but it’s definitely a better way to satisfy your chocolate cravings than most other dessert recipes. Using whole wheat flour instead of white flour adds fiber and vitamins, plus you get a helping of fruit thanks to fresh blueberries.

Lebanese Beef and Tabbouleh Salad

Power Grain: Bulgur

Tabbouleh is a fresh herb salad popular in Middle Eastern cuisine. Bulgur brings a slew of fiber and good-for-you nutrients to this whole-grain recipe. Top the tomato-studded whole-grain salad with perfectly seasoned strips of lean steak for a mouthwatering fix of protein.

Quinoa and Butternut Bowl

Power Grain: Quinoa

Who doesn’t love a good grain bowl? Butternut squash and kale are the perfect partners for this quinoa bowl. Quinoa has 8 grams of protein per cup and to add even more protein to this whole-grain dish, try topping with a poached egg. When cooking quinoa, make sure you rinse it first. This removes its natural coating called saponin, which can make it taste bitter or soapy.

Whole Grain Chocolate Chip Cookies

Power Grains: Oats, Barley, Whole Wheat Flour

A healthy cookie? Oh, yes! These hearty chocolate chip cookies pack a slew of nutrient-rich whole grains, including oats, barley, and whole wheat flour. Stud the 94-calorie treats with chopped walnuts and tropical shreds of coconut for a crunchy, fruity finish.

Toasty Whole Grain Orange Muffins

Power Grains: Oats, Quinoa, Whole Wheat

Give your morning a sweet, energetic boost with these satisfying citrus whole-grain muffins. Oats and quinoa help make up an unbeatable batter filled with iron, antioxidants, and magnesium. A smear of orange marmalade gives these healthy muffins a sun-kissed finish.

Cherry Quinoa Salad

Power Grain: Quinoa

This light vegetarian grain salad features a mix of wine-simmered quinoa, sweet cherries, and vitamin-filled veggies. Serve the iron- and protein-rich salad atop cool cucumber ribbons or crisp snap peas.

Gingered Chicken Meatball Soup with Brown Rice and Basil

Power Grain: Brown Rice

Ginger, red bell pepper, and green onion add hints of zesty sweetness to these homemade chicken meatballs. Brown rice, like many whole grains, is full of magnesium, which benefits your heart, bones, and muscles.

Test Kitchen Tip: Hate the hassle of taking an hour to cook rice? Make a large batch at one time, then freeze for up to six months.

Stuffed Poblano Chiles with Sausage and Corn

Power Grain: Farro

Sub this ancient grain for rice in stuffed pepper dishes to add health benefits, slightly nutty flavor, and pleasant chewy texture. In this low-fat appetizer, roasted poblanos are the perfect vessel for the sausage, corn, bean, and veggie medley. Serve with salsa to amp up the spice.

Apple-Cranberry Crisp

Power Grain: Oats

Fruit crisps aren’t just for dessert anymore. Serve this tangy fruit dish with an egg casserole to round out Saturday’s brunch menu. Keep those rolled oats fresh by storing them in a cool, dry pantry for up to six months.

Lentil-Toasted Barley Soup with Sausage

Power Grain: Barley

Toasting the barley before adding it to the soup brings out the sweet, nutty flavor of the high-fiber grain. This cozy soup is loaded with good-for-you veggies and lentils. The addition of chicken sausage makes it hearty enough to serve as a meal.

Zucchini Cupcakes with Greek Yogurt Frosting

Power Grain: Quinoa

Opt for a healthier version of a bakery favorite with these quinoa (yes, quinoa!) cupcakes. The cooked seeds add a hearty texture to this healthy sweet treat. Each cupcake is low in fat and has fewer than 200 calories. Keep this quick zucchini recipe on hand when you need to use up your bumper crop.

Mediterranean Kale & Cannellini Stew with Farro

Power Grain: Farro or Kamut

Add some Mediterranean flair to your week with this cozy whole-grain recipe. Choose between chewy farro or kamut for some plant-based protein, fiber, and B vitamins. Bonus: It takes hardly any time to prep and your slow cooker does the rest of the cooking for you!

Roasted Salmon and Farro Bowls

Power Grain: Farro

This farro recipe has earned rave reviews since we published it. As one BHG home cook shared, “I made this just as written. Loved it! I could eat this multiple times a week. Next time I might try adding some cherry tomatoes in with the squash just for the color. Yummy.”

Greek-Inspired Quinoa Salad with Lemon-Feta Dressing

Power Grain: Quinoa

This hearty grain salad recipe is a take on the classic Greek salad. Layer the quinoa over a bed of chopped baby spinach. Top with canned chickpeas, sliced bell peppers, chopped cucumber, and Kalamata olives. Serve with homemade pita chips.

Curried Pork and Rice

Power Grain: Brown and Wild Rice

Thanks to microwavable rice pouches, you can have this skillet meal on the table in just 30 minutes. This whole grain dinner idea is a complete meal in one pan thanks to the hearty grains, pork tenderloin, green apple, and carrots.

Farro Salad-Stuffed Avocados

Power Grain: Farro

This whole grain recipe is equal parts fresh and hearty. Fill creamy avocado halves with a farro salad that’s filled with tomato, cucumber, and plenty of fresh herbs. Finish with crumbled feta cheese.

Gluten-Free Wild Rice-Stuffed Acorn Squash with Cranberries and Pancetta

Power Grain: Wild Rice

Come fall, this whole grain recipe will become part of your regular dinner rotation. Fill roasted acorn squash halves with a blend of wild rice, pecans, pancetta, and dried cranberries. Our Test Kitchen recommends drizzling the finished dish with melted butter just before serving.

Quinoa Pilaf

Power Grain: Quinoa

This satisfying side dish offers a serving of whole grains and veggies. Sauté mushrooms, zucchini, and onion until tender. Finish the dish with baby kale and cooked quinoa.

Snap Peas, Snow Peas, and Farro with Oranges and Citrus-Sesame Vinaigrette

Power Grain: Farro

Make this whole grain salad in the spring when snap peas are at their best. Their sweet flavor pairs well with the sesame-soy dressing and fresh orange wedges. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt pulls the entire dish together.

Peanut Butter and Fruit Quinoa

Power Grain: Quinoa

Start your day with this easy whole grain recipe. To make the grain bowl, top scoops of quinoa with chopped banana, raspberry jam, and a drizzle of peanut butter. Crushed peanuts add crunch.

Oven Beef and Barley Stew

Power Grain: Barley

A bowl of beef stew is one of our go-to comfort food recipes. Here, we’re adding heartiness with 1/2 cup of barley. As one recipe reviewer shared, “Great flavor. Used farro, had to add another 25 minutes or so to the cook time.”

Cabbage and Apple Farro Toss

Power Grain: Farro

Fall flavors star in this easy dinner idea. Cook cabbage and apple in bacon until tender. Add cooked farro and finish with a honey-mustard sauce.

Roasted Vegetables with Sorghum

Power Grain: Sorghum

Not quite a salad, not quite a roasted vegetable side dish, this easy whole grain side dish is the best parts of both. Once the veggies are roasted, toss them with sorghum, green beans, and arugula. A handful of fresh mint is the perfect finish.