Skip to main content

Thai-Style Grain Salad with Crunchy Seeds

5.0

(1)

Image may contain Plant Food Produce Vegetable Bean and Lentil
Christina Holmes

Grain salads, like this herb-spiked one made with smoky freekeh, come together instantly with leftovers—reason enough to cook off a batch on Sundays.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    1½ hours

  • Yield

    4 Servings

Ingredients

1½ cups freekeh, semi-pearled farro, spelt, or wheat berries
Kosher salt
⅓ cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
⅓ cup raw sunflower seeds
1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
3 tablespoons (or more) fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons fish sauce (such as nam pla or nuoc nam)
½ small red onion, finely chopped
4 scallions, thinly sliced, plus more for serving
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves with tender stems, plus more for garnish
1 cup fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish
Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Cook freekeh in a large saucepan of boiling salted water until tender, 45–50 minutes; drain, shaking off as much water as possible. Spread out on a rimmed baking sheet and let cool.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, toast pumpkin and sunflower seeds in a small dry skillet over medium heat, tossing often, until pumpkin seeds begin to pop and sunflower seeds are golden brown, 5–8 minutes; transfer to a plate and set aside.

    Step 3

    Whisk lime zest, lime juice, oil, and fish sauce in a large bowl. Add freekeh, onion, 4 scallions, 1 cup cilantro, and 1 cup mint and toss to combine; season with salt, pepper, and more lime juice, if desired.

    Step 4

    Top salad with more scallions, cilantro, and mint just before serving.

    Step 5

    DO AHEAD: Salad can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

Nutrition Per Serving

Calories (kcal) 480 Fat (g) 24 Saturated Fat (g) 3.5 Cholesterol (mg) 0 Carbohydrates (g) 57 Dietary Fiber (g) 9 Total Sugars (g) 5 Protein (g) 19 Sodium (mg) 420
Read More
Like miso-peanut hibachi chicken and spring orzotto.
The magic of this hibachi chicken recipe comes from a combination of miso and peanut butter and how it beautifully caramelizes when it hits the grill.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Chicken breasts reach their full potential in this spicy, saucy stir-fry with blistered green beans.
Using two entire lemons—pith, skin, and all—cranks up the citrus flavor in this classic dessert.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Like carrot farro salad and chicken paella.
The secret to extra-fluffy stack? A splash of cold, bubbly seltzer.