15 Top-Rated Grain Salads for Satisfying Sides or Mains

This Tex-Mex-inspired grain salad doesn't skimp on boldness, and because it includes ingredients like bell peppers and tomatoes, it's an excellent choice for a summer supper that highlights in-season produce.

The zingy acidity of apple cider vinegar and sinus-clearing sharpness of Dijon mustard give this couscous salad's dressing an invigorating taste profile, and the use of shrimp and summer vegetables make it "a wonderful recipe for summer picnics," according to reviewer AAMORRIS.

If you're craving a grain salad loaded with in-season produce, then this summer-perfect version will serve you well. "This light and delicious salad is packed with protein, vitamins, and fiber. This salad is the perfect dish for a light lunch or a side dish at dinner. Your vegetarian friends will thank you for serving this at any dinner party or BBQ," recipe creator Chrissy Gaynor says of her veggie-forward dish bolstered by feta cheese.

This particular salad offers plenty of textural contrast from the firm rice grains and the softer orzo, and mixing in crisp vegetables and chewy dried fruits results in a delicious combination. The recipe's Dijon vinaigrette provides zingy acidity, and the addition of basil leaves contributes plenty of herbaceous freshness.

A classic Lebanese grain salad that's now a staple of Middle Eastern cuisine, tabbouleh features bulgur, a cereal grain made with durum wheat, as its core ingredient. Home cooks have plenty of liberty to play around with seasonal ingredients, but traditional tabbouleh incorporates Mediterranean ingredients like tomatoes, cucumbers, mint, and parsley. This tabbouleh recipe uses lemon juice and olive oil to set off the flavors of the veggies and herbs, and the end product pairs beautifully with any summer entrée.

The umami-packed profile of soy sauce delivers instant richness and slow-cooked intensity to any dish, and this spelt salad with chicken highly benefits from its soy sauce-forward dressing, which also includes peanut butter and tangy rice wine vinegar.

"This slightly sweet salad makes a very pretty presentation. Use plump and moist dried apricots, not hard and desiccated ones," recipe creator NIBLETS says of their nutritious sweet-and-savory dish, which makes an excellent addition to any potluck table.

Tomatoes, olives, and garlic are closely associated with Mediterranean cuisine, and this recipe pairs them with mellow barley to allow their bright flavors to shine. Plus, the unexpected addition of cilantro adds an extra dimension, and balsamic vinegar provides both acidity and a gentle sweetness.

The natural mildness of quinoa makes it an ideal canvas for your favorite fruits, veggies, nuts, and seasonings. This salad includes both raisins and pecans, and a dressing of sesame oil, vinegar, and lemon juice complements the sweetness of the dried fruit and the richness of the nuts.

"Here's a delicious salad using a whole grain that not only tastes good but is good for you! The flavors are refreshing and sweet while the crunchy nuts and farro give it wonderful texture!" is recipe creator Traci-in-Cali's description of this salad, which, according to its inventor, is ripe for customization: "I have also substituted celery or jicama in place of the apple; they add crunch and color, but I prefer the apple for taste. Vegetable broth can be substituted for chicken broth. Honey can be substituted for maple syrup."

While most of the salads on this list use vinaigrettes as their dressings, this wild rice-based rendition takes its cues from traditional BBQ "salads" by featuring a dressing made with mayonnaise. The creamy mayo, juicy peppers, and nutty rice all work in perfect tandem to create an ideal summertime side dish.

An ancient grain that's packed with protein, farro has an appealing toothsomeness that lets it collaborate well with assertively flavored and textured veggies like asparagus. This particular salad includes a brilliantly balanced variety of ingredients, from salty Parmesan to crunchy walnuts, tangy cranberries, and balsamic vinegar.

A grain salad that fits easily into the entree mold, this recipe sings with woodsy rosemary and gains substance from shredded chicken breast. "This is a wonderful summer salad. Fresh herbs keep the salad light, while the chicken and feta cheese make it hearty enough to serve for a main meal," says recipe writer Shayna.

Brightly-hued seasonal produce gives a grain salad an immediate summery vibe, and this recipe drives that theme home with hydrating veggies like cucumber and tomato, a zippy lime vinaigrette, and bulgur cooked in chicken stock to lend it some extra dimension.

Salads with black beans often find themselves shoehorned into the "Tex-Mex" or "Southwestern" category, but this recipe takes a wider-ranging global approach to a grain salad with black beans, using classically Mexican ingredients like cilantro and cumin alongside popular French herbs and seasonings like Dijon mustard and tarragon. The result? A glorious hybrid dish with both the protein-packed black beans and the hearty wild rice giving the salad enough oomph to stand on its own as a main course.