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Home » Lunch Recipes » Freekeh with Tahini, Chickpeas and Pomegranate

Freekeh with Tahini, Chickpeas and Pomegranate

About 4 minutes to read / 36 Comments

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Jump to Recipe

Cracked freekeh is tossed in a creamy tahini vinaigrette with chickpeas, pomegranates and almonds to create a crunchy and addictive whole grain side dish or meatless main.

Freekeh with Tahini, Chickpeas and Pomegranate - The Lemon Bowl

It’s time to kick off Week 4 of the Healthy New Year 6-Week Challenge with one of my favorite ingredients of all time: whole grains! As you know, I’ve been eating whole grains my entire life. I grew up eating buckwheat pancakes, steel cut oats, whole wheat bread and bulgur wheat pilaf instead of white rice.

Spelt-Tabbouleh-with-Jalapeno-Vinaigrette-The-Lemon-Bowl

Now that I’m cooking for my own family, not much has changed. In addition to those timeless classics, I also love finding new and creative ways to incorporate farro, spelt, quinoa and other ancient grains into my family’s diet on a daily basis. In fact, my very first blog post features another oldie but goodie: wheat berries!

Freekeh

Needless to say, one of my longest and most treasured brand partnerships is with Bob’s Red Mill, my trusted resource for everything whole grain including whole wheat pastry flour, flax seed meal and much, much more. One of my new favorite grains is Freekeh, a young green wheat that has been toasted and cracked. It reminds me of a nuttier version of the bulgur wheat my mom made me as a kid.

Freekeh Salad with Tahini, Chickpeas and Pomegranate - The Lemon Bowl

Freekeh, like any whole grain, is ideal for making ahead in a large batch and using throughout the week sprinkled in soups, tossed in to salads or as a simple side dish on it’s own. Unlike traditional pasta, a baked potato or white rice, freekeh and other whole grains are complex carbohydrates. Due to the higher content of fiber and protein, they take longer for your body to break down which keeps you satisfied longer. (Read: not craving 20 more french fries because you don’t feel full.)  

Butternut Squash and Grain Salad with Toasted Almonds and Goat Cheese - The Lemon Bowl

This week, in honor of the Healthy New Year 6-Week Challenge, I urge you to swap out at least one refined carbohydrate a day with a whole grain. Dara has cooked up an incredible Hearty Mushroom, Farro and Ginger Soup you won’t want to miss.

 

 

Your fork is waiting.

Freekeh with Tahini, Chickpeas and Pomegranate - The Lemon Bowl

Freekeh with Tahini, Chickpeas and Pomegranate

Cracked freekeh is tossed in a creamy tahini vinaigrette with chickpeas, pomegranates and almonds to create a crunchy and addictive whole grain side dish or meatless main.
4 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Lebanese
Keyword: freekeh side dish
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 412kcal
Author: Liz Della Croce

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup uncooked Bob's Red Mill Whole Grain Cracked Freekeh
  • 1 cup pomegranate seeds about 1 fruit
  • 15 ounce can chickpeas drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup blanched almond slices toasted
  • 1 juice of lemon
  • 2 tablespoons tahini
  • 2 tablespoons warm water
  • 1 clove garlic grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

Instructions:

  • Prepare freekeh according to package instructions then place in a large bowl.
  • Add pomegranate seeds and chickpeas to the bowl with the freekeh.
  • Toast almond slices in a 350 degree oven until slightly brown, 5-7 minutes, then add to the bowl.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, tahini, warm water, garlic, salt and pepper. Drizzle over the freekeh, pomegranate and chickpeas then toss well.
  • Stir in toasted almonds and fresh parsley to serve.

Notes:

Can be served warm, room temperature or chilled.

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 412kcal | Carbohydrates: 61.6g | Protein: 17.4g | Fat: 14.4g | Saturated Fat: 1.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13.2g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 612mg | Fiber: 16.2g | Sugar: 9.3g
Get Featured On Instagram!Did you make this recipe? If so tag @thelemonbowl using the hashtag #thelemonbowl to be featured!

Disclosure: We are thrilled to have Bob’s Red Mill as a sponsor of the Healthy New Year 6-Week Challenge. Thank you for supporting the brands that make The Lemon Bowl possible. As always, all thoughts are my own.

Healthy New Year 6-Week Challenge Logo - The Lemon Bowl

A challenge is always so much more fun, and dare we say easier, when you have challenge buddies to keep you motivated and exchange ideas with. Dara and I are excited to share ideas with all of you in our Facebook group, and on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #HealthyNewYear. Be sure to tag Dara (@cookincanuck) and me (@thelemonbowl) on Instagram when you post a #HealthyNewYear photo, and feel free to share your photos, ideas and questions in the Facebook group.
 
Want some more delicious dishes? Check out my Pinterest Board!

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About Liz Della Croce

Liz is the founder and creator of The Lemon Bowl. With an emphasis on healthy eating and living, Liz’s recipes and food photography have been featured in various publications including the cover of Women’s World magazine, Good Housekeeping, Shape, Real Simple, Cosmopolitan, Food Network Blog, Huffington Post, TODAY Food, Foodgawker and The Cooking Channel. Read More…

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. mervenur

    January 26, 2018 at 8:36 am

    can ı use quinoa instead of freekeh?

    Reply
    • Liz DellaCroce

      January 26, 2018 at 10:01 am

      Absolutely!

      Reply
  2. Mike

    March 10, 2015 at 5:28 am

    I’ve never come across Freekeh before. But this salad recipe seems absolutely divine. It will take me a while to acquire the ingredients. Especially Freekeh, which I have never heard of before. But would love to try it out.

    Reply
    • Liz DellaCroce

      March 10, 2015 at 9:13 am

      Let me know if you try it – it’s the best!

      Reply
  3. Jennifer Farley

    February 23, 2015 at 9:44 am

    How am I just now seeing this recipe? These flavors together, OMG. Amazing.

    Reply
    • Liz DellaCroce

      February 23, 2015 at 2:53 pm

      You would love this Jennifer!! I hope you try it – tahini is my jam.

      Reply
  4. Joanne

    January 31, 2015 at 11:36 am

    I had a major restocking my pantry week this week and bought a ton of Bob’s Red Mill grains…so this salad is HAPPENING. Freekeh is one of my favorites!

    Reply
    • Liz DellaCroce

      February 02, 2015 at 7:17 am

      YES girl!! I hope you like it!

      Reply
  5. Shelley

    January 29, 2015 at 11:45 pm

    Do you have a substitution for the pomegranate?

    Reply
    • Liz DellaCroce

      February 02, 2015 at 7:19 am

      You could use diced apple!

      Reply
  6. Amanda

    January 29, 2015 at 10:44 pm

    Gorgeous pictures! This looks delicious!!!

    Reply
    • Liz DellaCroce

      February 02, 2015 at 7:19 am

      Thank you so much!!

      Reply
  7. Medha @ Whisk & Shout

    January 29, 2015 at 9:32 pm

    I’ve never and freekeh but it looks amazing! :) Love all the Greek flavors.

    Reply
    • Liz DellaCroce

      February 02, 2015 at 7:27 am

      I’m on a freekeh kick!! I hope you try it!

      Reply
  8. Bri | Bites of Bri

    January 28, 2015 at 9:03 pm

    I’ve really been wanting to try freekah. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
    • Liz DellaCroce

      January 29, 2015 at 1:20 pm

      Let me know what you think!!

      Reply
  9. Kevin (Closet Cooking)

    January 28, 2015 at 6:55 pm

    Nice whole grain ‘salad’ bowl! I have been wanting to try freekeh for a while now!

    Reply
    • Liz DellaCroce

      January 29, 2015 at 1:20 pm

      It’s so good Kevin!! Super tasty.

      Reply
  10. Christina @ The Beautiful Balance

    January 28, 2015 at 12:31 pm

    I absolutely LOVE freekeh and I’m so happy it’s been getting more attention lately. This is definitely a great recipe to showcase the awesome texture of the grain.

    Reply
    • Liz DellaCroce

      January 29, 2015 at 1:21 pm

      I know – isn’t it awesome when healthy foods become trendy?? :)

      Reply
  11. Cookin Canuck

    January 28, 2015 at 10:49 am

    I have a bag of freekeh sitting on my counter right now and I am dying to try this recipe. What fantastic flavors you put together in this recipe, Liz!

    Reply
    • Liz DellaCroce

      January 29, 2015 at 1:21 pm

      I could drizzle tahini on any grain but it works really well with freekeh!!

      Reply
  12. Kristy @ Chocolate Slopes

    January 28, 2015 at 10:07 am

    I love adding a variety of whole grains to my diet ~ great challenge! Now I need to go buy some freekeh since I’ve never tried it before. Love Bob’s Red Mill brand as well…fantastic assortment of whole grains!

    Reply
    • Liz DellaCroce

      January 29, 2015 at 1:21 pm

      Let me know what you think if you try it!!

      Reply
  13. Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain

    January 28, 2015 at 9:45 am

    I would “freak-ah-out” over this Feekeh with Tahini if it was in front of my face!! Looks sooooooooo good!

    Reply
    • Liz DellaCroce

      January 29, 2015 at 1:22 pm

      LOL!!! Your comments are the best.

      Reply
  14. Emma {Emma's Little Kitchen}

    January 28, 2015 at 8:43 am

    Whole grains for the win! Love the creamy-crunchy texture of this Liz, yum!

    Reply
    • Liz DellaCroce

      January 29, 2015 at 1:24 pm

      It was so wonderful meeting you!!!!

      Reply
  15. sheila

    January 28, 2015 at 8:32 am

    HOLY freekah this looks good! sorry I couldn’t help myself LOL! I have never tried freekah or faro…I need to branch out in the grains department!

    Reply
    • Liz DellaCroce

      January 29, 2015 at 1:29 pm

      ahahaha You’re such a FREEK I just love you!!!! I hope you try this sometime!

      Reply
  16. Maria

    January 28, 2015 at 8:11 am

    I love me some whole grains! Can’t wait to try this recipe!

    Reply
    • Liz DellaCroce

      January 29, 2015 at 1:27 pm

      This salad was one of the best ones I’ve had in a long time!! I bet you’d love it Maria!

      Reply
  17. Julia

    January 28, 2015 at 7:51 am

    What a healthy salad! I just love those pom seeds in there! :)

    Reply
    • Liz DellaCroce

      January 29, 2015 at 1:28 pm

      They provide the perfect little pop!

      Reply
  18. Aggie

    January 28, 2015 at 6:47 am

    I have a HUGE bag of freekeh I bought a while back at Costco staring at me in the pantry!! I have never cooked or tasted freekeh but I’m so intrigued. I love this dish, especially with that tahini (another ingredient staring at me). This looks delicious Liz!

    Reply
    • Liz DellaCroce

      January 28, 2015 at 6:50 am

      You would love it Aggie!! It’s my favorite grain right now!!

      Reply

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