Aunt Jan's Wheat Salad - Real Life Dinner

My Aunt Jan has made this delicious salad famous in our family. Aunt Jan is also the one who gave me a love for using wheat flour in brownies. She is responsible for one of my favorite Brownie Recipes, Crazy Good Whole Wheat Brownies with Fudge Frosting. I know it sounds kind of crazy and isn’t the most photogenic thing in the world, but Aunt Jan’s Wheat Salad is a family favorite, totally unique, and something you have just got to try!

This salad can be made in a few different ways. The go-to is to make it with a pistachio pudding mix, but it also tastes awesome with a vanilla pudding mix. A while back my sister-in-law, Becky, discovered that adding fresh blueberries before serving takes it to another level. Again, sounds crazy, but you’ve got to try it that way, too!

How fun is it that this is a fun and yummy way to use wheat? I store a lot of wheat to grind for our favorite Whole Wheat Waffles and Homemade Wheat Bread. I love having another delicious use for it that my family loves. I’m telling you if you bring this to a potluck, people are going to ask you, “What is this?” and then they are going to ask you for the recipe.

More of my Favorite Wheat Recipes

STEP-BY-STEP PHOTOS FOR HOW TO MAKE AUNT JAN’S WHEAT SALAD

Frequently Asked Questions about how to make Aunt Jan’s Wheat Salad

what are wheat berries?

Wheat berries are the whole edible part of wheat kernels (before it’s been processed), which includes the germ, the bran, and the endosperm. They are nutty with a slightly earthy flavor and a chewy texture. This high-fiber whole grain also contains protein and iron. You can grind them up to make homemade flour, and use them in salads, soups, and more.

how do you cook wheat berries?

Wheat berries can be cooked on the stove, in a crockpot, or in an instant pot. Wheat berries are done when they are tender and chewy–a texture similar to al dente pasta. If you want a nutty flavor, toast the berries first before cooking them on the stovetop.

can I use fresh pineapple in this salad?

I recommend using canned crushed pineapple for this recipe. The wheat berries will absorb some of the juice from the crushed pineapple, adding another delicious layer of flavor.

will low-fat cream cheese work in this recipe?

You can use full-fat cream cheese or low-fat cream cheese in this recipe.

what additional mix-ins do you recommend?

You could stir in toasted almonds, pecans or walnuts, blueberries, diced apples, or shredded coconut.

how long does the salad last?

For up to a week in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Since it keeps for up to a week in the fridge, it’s a salad you can make in advance.

chef’s tools:

Aunt Jan's Wheat Salad

A super unique and delicious Jello Salad that everyone will love. This is one of those don't-knock-it-until-you-try-it recipes.

Author: Aunt Jan

Recipe type: Salad/Jello

Serves: 15 servings

Ingredients

1 cup wheat berries, uncooked
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (3.4 ounce) package of pistachio or vanilla instant pudding
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple
1 (8 ounce) container Cool Whip

Instructions

Add three cups of water to the 1 cup of uncooked wheat in a saucepan and bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Turn off the heat. Add a lid and allow it to sit for at least 6 hours or overnight. I always do this the night before I make it.
Transfer the cooked wheat to a 2-quart mixing bowl. Add the softened cream cheese and stir until completely integrated with the wheat.
Next, stir in the crushed pineapple (do not drain) and the pistachio instant pudding mix. Stir well.
Once that is mixed in, you can add the Cool Whip. Fold the Cool Whip into the mixture until it is well combined.
Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours before serving.
Enjoy!