Instant Pot Wheat Berries

Learn how to cook wheat berries in the Instant Pot with this quick and easy hands-off recipe. They can be used as a side dish or in soups, salads, stews, stir-fries, and other recipes in place of rice or quinoa.

Instant Pot Wheat Berries

In my quest to add more grains to my diet, other than just the usual quinoa, I started cooking wheat berries a few years ago.

What is a wheat berry? It’s the whole, unprocessed wheat kernel in its most natural form, composed of the bran, germ, and endosperm. It has a chewy flavor and tastes great in salads and bowls.

While it’s easy to cook wheat berries on the stovetop, it’s even easier in the Instant Pot. I’ve been using it to prep both grains and veggies, including carrots, beets, cabbage, and more!

To make wheat berries in your pressure cooker, all you need is:

• A cup of wheat berries (hard or soft)
• Water
• A pinch of salt

How to Cook Wheat Berries in the Instant Pot

1. Rinse: Rinse the wheat berries in a mesh sieve under cool running water.

2. Add Ingredients to Instant Pot: Combine the rinsed wheat berries, water, and salt in the pot of the pressure cooker.

3. Pressure Cook: Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve on “sealing”, and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. Once completed carefully quick release the steam, remove the lid, and drain the wheat berries.

4. Drain: Carefully remove the lid and drain the cooked wheat berries.

Store for later: Cooked wheat berries will store well in the fridge for 3-4 days in a sealed container.

How to Serve Wheat Berries

Prepared wheat berries can be used in many ways and make a tasty addition to soups, salads, and side dishes. Here are some ways to enjoy them:

• A delicious side dish dressed with oil (or butter), salt, and pepper. Or infused with more flavors, such as garlic, fresh herbs, and lemon.
• Cook into a hearty soup with beans, herbs, and fresh vegetables.
• Add cold or warm berries into a salad with leafy greens, fresh vegetables, nuts, and fresh herbs. Sub the quinoa with wheat berries in this Mediterranean Salad.
• Use cold wheat berries as a topping in a breakfast yogurt bowl.
• A base for a delicious veggie stir-fry. Simply replace the rice with the cooked wheat berries.

Commonly Asked Questions

Do I need to rinse the wheat berries before cooking them? Yes, it’s best to give them a quick rinse.

Do you eat wheat berries hot or cold? Either way!

How long do wheat berries last? If stored in an airtight container, uncooked wheat berries will keep for up to 6 months in a cool, dry place. Alternatively, they’ll last up to a year in the freezer.

Which pressure cooker do you use to cook wheat berries? I’ve used both my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo and the 3 quart Instant Pot Duo Mini.

How do you know when wheat berries are done? The texture should be chewy but not tough. If it’s not done, continue cooking by using the “Saute” button. Be sure to check the berries every 5 minutes for doneness.

How much does 1 cup wheat berries yield? About 3 cups of cooked wheat berries.

More Easy Instant Pot Recipes

If you enjoy using your pressure cooker, check out these recipes:

• Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
• Instant Pot Carrots
• How to Cook Chickpeas in the Instant Pot
• Instant Pot Quinoa
• Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs
• Instant Pot Black Rice

Did you make this Instant Pot Wheat Berries recipe? Leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let us know how it turned out! Save this easy side dish recipe for later by pinning to your favorite Instant Pot Pinterest board and be sure to tag me on Real + Vibrant’s Instagram to show me your wheat berries!

Instant Pot Wheat Berries

★★★★★ 5 from 7 reviews

• Author: Sapana Chandra
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 3–4 servings 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Instant Pot
• Cuisine: American

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Description

Learn how to cook wheat berries in the Instant Pot with this quick and easy hands-off recipe, perfect for a meal any time of year. They can be used in soups, salads, stews, stir-fries, and other recipes in place of rice or quinoa.

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Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 1 cup wheat berries
• 4 cups water
• Pinch of salt

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Instructions

Instant Pot Instructions:

1. Rinse the wheat berries in a mesh strainer under cool running water.
2. Add water, salt, and rinsed wheat berries to the Instant Pot.
3. Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve on “sealing”, and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. Once completed carefully quick release the steam, remove the lid, and drain the wheat berries.
4. Serve or store for later.

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Notes

Cooked wheat berries will store well in the fridge for 3-4 days in a sealed container. Prepared wheat berries can be enjoyed cold or warm.

Keywords: Instant Pot Wheat Berries