Sharing my go-to buckwheat recipe with tips on choosing the right kind of buckwheat groats and its benefits. This is the quickest and easiest way to cook deliciously fluffy buckwheat every time!
Buckwheat groats are healthy and delicious gluten-free superfood that you should incorporate in your diet asap! Just like plain rice, buckwheat is healthy and versatile alternative to your regular grains. It’s a very popular food in Russia, and it was one of the staples in our diet growing up.
Buckwheat is an amazing source of nutrients and minerals, like plant-based protein, fiber, magnesium, vitamin B6, iron, zinc, copper, and niacin. But don’t eat it just for its health benefits, you’ll LOVE its nutty earthy flavor with satisfying fluffy chewy texture.
I have no idea where the name “buckwheat” came from, but it has absolutely no relation to wheat. In fact, buckwheat is actually a seed and 100% gluten-free.
2 Types of Buckwheats
But before you run out to grab a bag of buckwheat, let me share a few notes on which kind of buckwheat to choose.
You’ll find 2 kinds of buckwheat: raw and toasted.
- Raw buckwheat groats are white seeds with greenish hue. They have mild grassy flavor.
- Toasted buckwheat groats, on other hand, aka kasha, are golden brown seeds and have deliciously nutty flavor.
Just like dry beans, raw buckwheat groats require advanced preparation prior to cooking, like soaking, toasting, etc.
HOW TO COOK TOASTED BUCKWHEAT GROATS?
In this post, I’ll show how to cook toasted buckwheat groats. Out of many different buckwheat recipes, this method is the easiest and quickest and always yields fluffiest buckwheat with a satisfying chewy texture.
First, rinse the groats under running cold water really well and drain well.
Combine buckwheat, water and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium high heat. Then cover and reduce heat to medium low and simmer until tender, about 15 minutes.
Once buckwheat is cooked, fluff it with a fork or a wooden spoon. Stir in butter and salt to taste.
The cooked plain buckwheat makes a wonderful side dish and pairs especially good with generous amount of gravy. Or if you’re like my father-in-law, you might just like it with a dash of soy sauce.
Another way to incorporate more buckwheat in your diet is to mix it with plain rice and cook as usual. Perfection!
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How to Cook Toasted Buckwheat Groats (Kasha)
Ingredients
- 1 cup toasted buckwheat groats* Note 1
- 1 ½ cups water
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt more to taste
- 1-2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- Rinse the groats under running cold water really well, using a mesh sieve, and drain well.
- In a medium saucepan, combine buckwheat, water and salt.
- Bring it to a boil over medium high heat. Then cover and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer until tender, about 15 minutes.
- Fluff it with a fork or a wooden spoon. Stir in butter and salt to taste.
Notes
Nutrition
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full nutrition disclosure.
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Reader's Reviews
Chris says
My favourite way to eat Kasha, aside from in pyrizhky with plenty of dill, is with sauerkraut. Fry up with lots of onions. Superb combo for me!!
Shinee says
Oh my, that sounds delicious!! Why have I never thought of putting some in pirojki?! Thanks for sharing, Chris!!
Ken Kline says
Being Jewish, Kasha is a staple in our cuisine. I buy toasted Buckwheat Kernals from my bulk food store. I cook it the same as rice. I never rinse it. I boil one cup of water then put the raw Kasha into it, no seasoning, nothing, then cover, cook over low heat for 10 minutes, makes 3 servings for me. I then mix in cooked bowtie pasta, then season with salt, pepper, butter, then reheat. Just my way, as easy as possible.
Shinee says
Thank you for sharing your method, Ken.
Patty M. says
Love your ideas! I’m new to using buckwheat, but have added it to meatloaf and some other dishes. I also add it to my oatmeal. It’s a wonderful addition to my breakfast! I have not yet tried any of your recipes.
Shinee says
Welcome, Patty! Thank you for your feedback!! Buckwheat is one of my favorites, and I love your addition to oatmeals! Hope you’ll tried some of my recipes. And please let me know if you do. Thanks again!
Yury says
My toasted buckwheat (from WholeFoods) overcooked in first 5 minutes after bringing to boil. Water disappeared and the groats started to dry out and stick to the pan walls. I think 1.5 cups of water isn’t enough.
Maybe this particular buckwheat wasn’t right. Classical Russian recipe uses ratio of groans to water 1:2 and works best with the groats made in Russia.
Shinee says
Hi, Yury. Thank you for your feedback. It sounds like your heat may have been a bit too high. Next time, you either can decrease your heat a bit more, or you can use more water. I like my buckwheat less watery, and that’s why I just that amount of water.