Chewy, nutty wheat berries mix with creamy pineapple fluff to make a this delicious Pineapple Wheat Berry Salad. Keep it simple, or add one (or more) of the optional mix-ins. Easy to make and freezer-friendly, it’s perfect for potlucks too!
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A little over twenty years ago, everyone’s cousin was losing their mind over an impeding world-wide “Y2K” tech meltdown. As far as I’m concerned, this wheat berry salad recipe is the only good thing to come out of the whole brouhaha.
![Warning: Content contains mildly sentimental recipe-origin narrative. Read on to enjoy the story. [Click here to go directly to the recipe.]](https://thegoodheartedwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Recipe-Story-Warning-3.jpg)
The Millennium Bug, tech experts explained, was a line of faulty code that would cause problems when dealing with dates beyond December 31, 1999. The Y2K glitch had the potential to disrupt anything on the planet with a computer chip, from garage door openers to airplane guidance systems.
Doomsdayers shouted from street corners, warning how life as we know was to end at the stroke of midnight on New Years Eve 1999. Even mainstream, moderate media offered public warnings about potential utility and power failures, disruption in ground transportation, and concerns over air travel safety.
The Y2K prophets of doom who envisage global blackouts, world economic recession and planes falling out of the sky may be substantially wide of the mark but even the most sanguine commentators are advising caution when it comes to transport, particularly airline transport.
– The Irish Times, Jan. 22, 1999
During this insanity, all sorts of emergency preparedness events and products popped up around the country; and while there is nothing wrong with being prepared for emergencies, the hysteria surrounding Y2K reached epic proportions.
Preparedness conferences, disaster prep classes, and doomsday survival guides proliferated. Costco sold enormous buckets of freeze-dried foods to stock the shelves of underground bunkers. Television programming, movies, unsettling commercials, and even a Y2K themed Simpsons episode fanned the flames.
As it turned out, midnight on New Year’s Eve 1999 came and went, and we passed into the new millennium* unceremoniously. Almost disappointingly so.
[*Officially, the new millennium began at zero hour, Greenwich Mean Time, on January 1, 2001 (not 2000) according to rules adopted at an international conference held in October 1884. But we can save that discussion for another time.]
Midnight December 31, 1999 came and went, and NOTHING happened. No Thing. Lights stayed on. Water continued to flow. Planes did not fall from the sky. Mutant robot kitchen appliances did not rise up. The world did not plunge into darkness or financial chaos.
For me, the only truly good thing to come from all the Y2K fuss was this amazing Pineapple Wheat Berry Salad recipe.
In the fall of 1999, my husband and I attended a preparedness conference; one primarily focused on long-term food storage and natural disaster planning. We went mostly on a lark, but I have to admit; it was an interesting experience. We were avid campers, and it was fun to see the staggering number of solar ovens and other next-level camping gadgets and gizmos.
Over the course of a few hours, we must have sampled at least a hundred different “food storage-friendly” products. Just when I thought I couldn’t look at even one more dehydrated chili sample, we were greeted by a Montana hard red wheat vendor who offered us each a little paper cup full of a creamy, sweet wheat berry salad. Not a freeze-dried lentil in sight! It was heaven!
We walked out of the conference with two things: a fancy new grain mill and a recipe for wheat berry salad printed on a small slip of paper.
Admittedly, this tasty little concoction has more processed foods on its Ingredient List than I usually like to use, but the end of the world only comes around once, so there you are.
Hence, I give you Apocalypse Salad.
Keep it simple, or make things interesting with one or more tasty mix-ins.
Perfect for Potlucks!
Apocalypse Salad (aka Pineapple Wheat Berry Salad) makes an excellent potluck dish! The recipe makes a large amount and can be made well ahead of time. It lasts for over a week in the fridge, and you can even freeze it!
Pineapple Wheat Berry Salad {With Optional Mix-ins}
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups whole wheat berries uncooked
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 - 20 oz can crushed pineapple undrained
- 1 - 3.4 oz package instant vanilla pudding dry
- 1 - 8 oz tub Frozen Whipped Topping defrosted
Mix-in Ideas [TOTALLY OPTIONAL]
- maraschino cherries drained and sliced
- mini marshmallows
- pepitos
- chocolate chips
- coconut
- pineapple tidbits
Instructions
How to Cook Wheat Berries
- OPTIONAL: Toast the wheat berries first.Toasting enhances the nutty flavor of the wheat berries. Preheat the oven to 375°F.  Spread the wheat berries evenly on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until lightly browned and aromatic.
- OPTIONAL: Soak wheat berries overnight. Soaking shortens the cooking time, but is not critical to cooking. Place 1 ½ cups of wheat berries in a medium bowl. Cover with enough boiling water so that there is about an inch of water above the wheat berries. Soak overnight.
- Three Ways to Cook Wheat BerriesWheat berries are done when they are tender and chewy. Test for doneness as you cook them. NOTE: The cooking times for wheat berries in this recipe are based on cooking hard red winter wheat berries. The specific kind of wheat berry you buy, as well as product age, will influence the cooking time. [1] Slow Cooker Method (This is my preferred method.)Put presoaked wheat berries in slow cooker and add enough water so that it comes to at least one inch above the wheat berries. Cook on LOW for 4-5 hours, or until chewy and tender. When done, drain excess liquid. Set aside. [2] Instant Pot Method: Combine 1 1/2 cups wheat berries, 4½ cups water, and a pinch of salt in the Instant Pot. Secure the lid and seal the valve. Set the manual timer for 35 minutes.When done, do quick release by moving the valve to vent the steam. Let all the steam release.Drain excess liquid. Set aside. [3] Stovetop Method: In a medium saucepan, combine presoaked wheat berries, a pinch of salt, and enough water so that there is at least 1 inch of water on top of the wheat berries. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium; cook until tender, 35 to 45 minutes. Remove pan from heat; let steam, covered, 15 minutes. Test for doneness. Wheat berries should be tender yet chewy. (If they aren't done, just return them to the heat for a little while.) When done, drain excess liquid.
Pineapple Wheat Berry Salad
- In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to thoroughly combine pineapple and cream cheese. It does not need to be perfectly creamy; however, any remaining chunks of cream cheese in the mixture should be about the consistency of cottage cheese.
- Sprinkle dry vanilla pudding mix over pineapple-cream cheese mixture and stir until smooth. (It will be the consistency of thick school paste.)
- Fold in whipped topping.
- Stir in cooked wheat berries, mixing until until evenly coated.
- Fold in any optional mix-ins.
- Serve cold.
Notes
Nutrition
Adding Mix-ins to Pineapple Wheat Berry Salad [OPTIONAL]
As if it weren’t already delicious enough, if you want to add some additional texture and flavor to your wheat berry salad, you can stir in a cup or so of any one (or more) of these tasty mix-ins.
OPTIONAL: Use any one or a combination of the following mix-ins, or come up with your own idea!
1 CUP TOTAL per batch of Wheat Berry Salad*
- maraschino cherries (drained and sliced)
- grated coconut
- chocolate chips
- toasted walnuts, pecans, or almonds
- pepitos
- mini marshmallows
*Obviously, you can add as much of any mix-in as you want. This amount is offered only as a guideline, based on personal preferences.
Interested in learning more about cooking with wheat berries?
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