Skip to main content

Wheat Berries with Charred Onions and Kale

4.1

(12)

Image may contain Plant Food Produce Vegetable Bean and Lentil
Wheat Berries with Charred Onions and KaleRandy Harris

A healthy, full-flavored side dish that will sell you on an undersung grain.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups wheat berries
2 medium onions, halved, divided
5 sprigs thyme
1 tablespoon kosher salt plus more
8 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Freshly ground black pepper
1 bunch kale, stemmed, leaves torn into 2" pieces (about 8 packed cups)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Ingredient info: Wheat berries, also called hard wheat, are available at most natural foods stores.

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine wheat berries, 1 onion half, thyme sprigs, and 1 tablespoon salt in a large saucepan; add water to cover by 2". Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium and simmer until wheat berries are just tender but still firm to the bite, about 35 minutes. Drain; discard onion and thyme. Place wheat berries in a large bowl; let cool.

    Step 2

    Cut remaining 3 onion halves crosswise into 1/2" slices. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet over medium-high heat; add onions. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are charred in spots, about 5 minutes. Transfer to bowl with wheat berries. Add 1 tablespoon oil to same skillet. Working in 3 batches, add kale and cook, tossing occasionally, sprinkling with salt and pepper, and adding oil as needed between batches, until charred in spots, about 1 minute per batch. Add to bowl. Drizzle with lemon juice and any remaining oil; toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Read More
Like hot honey chicken with peaches and a dirty martini spritz.
A crowd-friendly, crisp-edged chicken and vegetable rice from chef José Andrés.
Rotisserie chicken makes quick work of these no-cook rolls with a spicy peanut sauce.
With dramatic choux layers and fruit-rippled cream, it’s the drag queen of Polish desserts.
Tender, buttery breakfast pastries with crisp caramelized edges, a fragrant cinnamon-orange filling, and a crackly sugar topping.
Like carrot farro salad and chicken paella.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.