How to Cook Buckwheat

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Buckwheat is a grain-like seed that’s packed with nutrients like iron, magnesium, protein, essential amino acids, and more. The easiest and most common way to cook buckwheat is by boiling it like rice, and from there you can eat it on its own, serve it with meat or vegetables, or even add fruit and spices to make a tasty breakfast. There are also lots of other things you can do with buckwheat, including making burgers, making a batch of granola, or even using the flour in baked goods.

Ingredients

Basic Buckwheat

  • 1 cup (170 g) buckwheat groats
  • 2 cups (470 ml) water
  • ½ teaspoon (3 g) salt
  • 1 tablespoon (14 g) butter

Makes 4 servings

Buckwheat Granola

  • 2 cups (180 g) rolled oats
  • ¼ cup (31 g) almonds
  • ¾ cup (128 g) raw buckwheat
  • ¾ cup (105 g) raw sunflower seeds
  • ¼ cup (59 ml) canola oil
  • ¼ cup (59 ml) honey
  • ¼ teaspoon (1.5 g) salt
  • ½ teaspoon (1 g) cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) vanilla
  • ¾ cup (70 g) coconut
  • ½ cup (75 g) raisins
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Boiling Basic Buckwheat

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  1. Transfer the buckwheat to a small bowl and cover it with water. Use your hand to swish the buckwheat around in the water. This will loosen any debris, dust, or plant matter. Skim off any debris or broken pieces that float to the top. Transfer the buckwheat to a fine-mesh strainer to drain the water.
    • Washing will help to produce a fluffy buckwheat that also holds its shape. [1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Buckwheat
    Place the washed buckwheat in a dry skillet or frying pan and heat it over medium heat. Continue cooking the buckwheat for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until it’s golden brown. Remove the skillet from the heat. [2]
    • Toasting brings out the flavor of the buckwheat and gives it a nutty aroma. Toasted buckwheat is referred to as kasha. [3] If your buckwheat has already been toasted, you don’t have to toast it again.
    • Raw buckwheat doesn’t smell, and is a light brown or greenish color instead of golden brown.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Buckwheat
    Transfer the water to a saucepan and add the salt. Put on the lid and heat the water over medium heat to bring it to a boil. When you add the buckwheat to boiling water instead of cold water, it will help to steam it as well as boil it.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Buckwheat
    When the water is boiling, remove the lid from the saucepan and add the buckwheat. Bring the water back to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and continue simmering the buckwheat for 15 minutes. You don’t need to stir the buckwheat as it simmers.
  5. When the buckwheat has been simmering for 15 minutes, remove it from the heat. Leave the lid on and let the buckwheat sit for a quarter of an hour. [4] This will give the buckwheat time to absorb any additional water that’s still in the pot without becoming mushy.
  6. Remove the lid and add the butter to the buckwheat. When the butter has melted, stir the buckwheat gently with a fork. This will remove clumps and separate the individual seeds, giving the buckwheat a lighter texture. [5]
    • You can also use ghee, margarine, or even your favorite cooking oil in place of the butter.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Making Buckwheat Granola

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Buckwheat
    In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients except for the coconut. Transfer the mixture to a metal baking dish that’s 9 by 9 inches (23 by 23 cm). Transfer the mixture to an oven that’s been preheated to 300 °F (149 °C). Bake the granola for an hour, stirring halfway through the cooking time, until the mixture is golden brown. Remove the granola from the oven and stir in the coconut. As the granola cools, stir it every 30 minutes. [6]
    • You can use coconut oil in place of the canola oil, and maple syrup in place of the honey if you like.
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using Cooked Buckwheat

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  1. Plain buckwheat is delicious and nutritious all by itself, either as a basic meal or as a side dish. To spice up plain cooked buckwheat, consider adding your favorite herbs, spices, and seasonings, such as: [7]
    • Salt and pepper
    • Garlic or onion powder
    • Cumin
    • Cardamom
    • Fresh herbs such as parsley or cilantro
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Buckwheat
    Heat 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of cooking oil in a wok or large skillet. Cut 4 bell peppers into strips and add them to the wok. Stir fry the peppers for about 5 minutes, until golden brown. Add 4 cloves of minced garlic and 1 bunch of finely chopped kale. Cook the mixture for another 5 minutes. Add the cooked buckwheat and another 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of oil. Stir to incorporate all the ingredients.
    • Before serving, garnish the stir fry with salt and pepper, to taste, homemade or store-bought marinated artichoke hearts, and a handful of chopped basil. [8]
  3. Set the cooked buckwheat aside to cool for about 30 minutes, and then transfer it to the refrigerator to chill for another 30 minutes. When the buckwheat is cold, toss it together in a bowl with any of your favorite vegetables and a simple dressing. For a sample salad recipe, combine in a large bowl:
    • 1 small cucumber, diced
    • 12 olives, sliced
    • 1 small bell pepper, diced
    • 1 small head of chopped broccoli florets
    • Half a small onion, sliced thinly
    • Handful of chopped almonds or walnuts
    • ½ cup (12.5 g) fresh dill, minced
    • 2 tablespoons (3 g) fresh mint, minced
    • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh lime juice
    • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) wine vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
    • Salt and pepper, to taste
  4. Transfer the cooked buckwheat to a saucepan and add 1 cup (235 ml) of dairy, almond, soy, or coconut milk. Bring the mixture to a boil and remove the pan from the heat. Add 3 tablespoons (44 ml) of maple syrup, 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of vanilla, and a pinch each of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, or any other spices if you like. You can also top the porridge with fruit and nuts, such as: [9]
    • Strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries
    • Sliced banana
    • Raisins
    • Dried currants
    • Nut butters
    • Chopped almonds, pistachios, or walnut
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Finding Other Ways to Cook Buckwheat

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  1. Buckwheat pancakes are very similar to regular pancakes, with the main difference being that you use buckwheat flour instead of wheat flour. When the pancakes are cooked, you can garnish them as you would regular pancakes, with toppings such as:
    • Butter
    • Maple syrup
    • Nuts
    • Fruit
  2. Soba noodles are made from buckwheat flour, and they're often used in Japanese cooking. You can make homemade noodles by making a dough from buckwheat flour, wheat flour, and water. Once the noodles have been cut, you can boil them like you would regular noodles and serve them with meat, vegetables, stir fries, and other dishes.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.beetsandbones.com/how-to-cook-fluffy-buckwheat/
      2. ↑ https://natashaskitchen.com/2015/02/15/how-to-cook-buckwheat-kasha/
      3. ↑ https://www.hypothyroidchef.com/blog/how-to-cook-kasha-or-buckwheat-groats
      4. ↑ https://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t--1365/cooking-buckwheat.asp
      5. ↑ https://www.beetsandbones.com/how-to-cook-fluffy-buckwheat/
      6. ↑ https://www.katheats.com/favorite-foods/crunchy-buckwheat-granola
      7. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/recipes/savory-buckwheat-pilaf-with-toasted-spices/rcp-20049877
      8. ↑ https://ifoodreal.com/buckwheat-stir-fry/
      9. ↑ https://healthiersteps.com/buckwheat-porridge/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Before you cook your raw buckwheat, rinse it with water, then use a fine mesh strainer to drain. Once it’s dry, toast it over medium heat in a dry frying pan, stirring occasionally for 4 to 5 minutes. When your buckwheat is golden brown, add it to a pot of boiling water, cover with a lid, and let it simmer. After 15 minutes of simmering, remove from the heat and let it stand for another 15 minutes. Once the water has all absorbed, remove the lid and add butter. To learn how to make a healthy buckwheat granola, keep reading!

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