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How to cook tender, chewy wheat berries in the slow cooker

What are wheat berries? What do I use them for? What do they taste like? How do I cook them?  I’ll answer these questions for your curious mind, don’t worry!

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how to cook tender, chewy wheat berries in the slow cooker to freeze for later use

What are wheat berries? A wheat berry is an entire wheat kernel (except for the hull).

What do I use them for? They can be cooked and used in salads, side dishes or soups or they can be milled into whole grain flour. I have a lot of wheat in my home because I grind my wheat with a Nutrimill to make breads, muffins, pancakes and waffles. I can find wheat at the grocery store in the bulk section or at my Costco they sell it in big buckets. I like soft wheat over hard wheat but either will work!

What do they taste like? Wheat berries have a sweet, nutty flavor. They are tender and chewy. Their flavor works well in savory dishes as well as sweet breakfast dishes. They hold their shape and texture even after cooking for long hours in the slow cooker. These make them great in soups and chilis.

How do I cook them? Well, you can cook them on the stove but I, of course, prefer to make them in the slow cooker! This is how I make them:

(Slow Cooker ) Basic Cooked Wheat Berries:
2/3 cup wheat berries
4 cups water
1 tsp salt
Add wheat berries, water and salt in  your 4-6 quart slow cooker. Turn on high and cook for 3-4 hours or turn on low for 6-8 hours, or until the wheat is chewy. (You could cook it overnight on low.) Use a colander to drain the wheat berries. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. The wheat can be refrigerated for 3 days or up to 2 months in the freezer.
(Stove Top) Basic Cooked Wheat Berries
1 cup wheat berries
3 cups water
1 tsp salt
Add wheat berries, water and salt to a sauce pan. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pan. After about 30 minutes, check for doneness. They should be chewy but not tough. If they aren’t tender and chewy continue simmering for 5 minutes. Check again and repeat until they are cooked to your desired consistency. Use a colander to drain the wheat berries. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
how to cook wheat in the slow cooker to freeze for later use

Recipes that use cooked wheat berries:

Fruit, nut and wheat berry salad

Wheat Berry and Spinach Salad with Orange-Curry Vinaigrette

Wheat Berry and Arugula Salad with Grapes and Nuts

Wheat Berry Salad with White Beans, Feta and Toasted Almonds

Asian Wheat Berry Salad

Lemony Wheat Berries with Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Caramel Apple Pie Wheat Berry Porridge

 

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