A fun twist on your classic BLT in salad form! This BLT Whole Grain Salad is a welcomed addition to your salad game this season!
Is your mouth watering? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Mr. CEO was begging for this BLT Whole Grain Salad after I whipped it up too!
While you can insert any whole grain in this recipe, I chose to use a whole grain called grano.
Now, for those wondering what the heck grano is! Here you go!
- Grano (Italian for wheat) is basically durum wheat (the stuff used to make pasta).
- It’s a whole grain (aka, you can swap this for white rice or orzo pasta).
- It resembles barley in taste and color (it has a brownish hue).
- It’s very chewy and delicious, try it!
- It’s hard to find at a traditional market, try a speciality store or shop online.
How to Make this Recipe
Start by sauteing the bacon and garlic.
Then add in your tomatoes and green of choice (like baby kale!)
Then stir in those grains and let them cook with the other flavors!
Recipe Notes
You can literally swap in any whole grain to make this recipe!
Be sure to follow the cooking instructions on the package and then add to the salad.
With that said, you can also use a vegan bacon (like tempeh) in here too for those looking for a vegetarian option!
Other Recipes You May Like
If you liked this fun salad twist, you may also enjoy:
BLT Whole Grain Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup grano dry
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 3 strips turkey bacon diced
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 1- 14.5 oz can no salt added diced tomatoes
- 1 cup baby kale
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- In a medium pot, boil water and add grano. Reduce heat to simmer and cook 15-20 minutes until grano becomes soft like rice.
- Remove and drain any excess water, set aside.
- In a saute pan over medium heat, add olive oil, chopped bacon and garlic. Cook for 3-5 minutes until bacon is crisp.
- Add diced tomatoes and baby kale to pan, cook for 5 minutes.
- Stir in sea salt and remove from heat.
- Serve hot or cold, your choice!
I’d love to hear what you think about this recipe! Did you make it!? Comment below and tag me (@shawsimpleswaps) on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. I’d love to reshare!
Happy Cooking, friends!
Rachel @ Delicious Balance says
I’ve never heard of grano…will have to look for it next time I’m at the store!
Elizabeth Shaw says
Definitely- it’s worth the hunt!
EA-The Spicy RD says
Beautiful salad Liz! I have never heard of grano before either. I’m thinking this would be fabulous with some whole grain sorghum for a gluten free version. And bacon? Yes please!
Elizabeth Shaw says
Thanks EA!!! I’m glad I made my teacher proud :). Yes, totally a GF grain would be perfect to swap into this. I always think of you when I made recipes and say, “Okay, could EA gf this recipe?!” 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend!
Amanda says
The picture alone makes this look delectable! Yumm!!! Can’t wait to try Graino 🙂
Elizabeth Shaw says
Aw, thanks Mandy!! Perfect to recover from your “wonderful 30” celebrations this week!
Nutrition a la Natalie says
I don’t eat meat, but if I did-this is what I would eat!!
Elizabeth Shaw says
You can totally sub out the bacon for mushrooms!!! Perfect for the vegetarian crowd!
Sara @sarahaasrdn says
You are making me so hungry! Wish you were more neighbor! And not just for the food! 🙂
Elizabeth Shaw says
Ah, you know that would be trouble… but the good kind!
Melanie says
Thanks for the explanation on grano! I’m glad I’m not alone in not knowing for sure what it was. This recipe looks amazing!! I’m excited to find some grano and try something new!
Elizabeth Shaw says
I hope you do Melanie!! Enjoy and let me know for sure if you make it!!
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says
Never heard of grano either. Looks like this toasted barley my mom used to make and I loved! (It actually wasn’t barley at all – it was durum wheat like this grano!) Gorgeous pics and I love that wood board – where’s it from?!
Elizabeth Shaw says
Bingo- it’s the same thing! I’ll gladly cook it up for you, anytime! Thanks for the pix compliment, I actually had the hubster make it out of some old pallets we had, then after a long battle about the color he originally painted it (totally my fault), I repainted it white! Now, I love it too!
Dietitian Jess says
I’ve never had grano before but I love anything Italian. PS these pics look great- I wish it was lunch time already!
Elizabeth Shaw says
Ah thanks Jess! It was new to me too, but now I love it! Here’s a pretty interesting site on it too, if your a nerd like me! http://www.sunnylandmills.com/grano_ancient_grain.shtml
Serena says
I’ve never ever heard of grano…so fun to learn about this new whole grain. Wonder if my Italian market might have it…I’ll check for sure. Thanks for all the bullet points of info on it…and this yummy salad recipe!
Elizabeth Shaw says
Of course! Let me know if you try it Serena! If you can’t find it, I can send you some!