The ingredients in this salad make for a well-balanced, healthful, nutrient-rich recipe. The real beauty is that different grains can be substituted as can different nuts and even veggies. The one thing you DON’T want to change are the strawberries! Why? Strawberries are a nutritional powerhouse:
- Strawberries are naturally sweet, but low in sugar (only 8 grams of sugar per serving), and provide a unique combination of essential nutrients, dietary fiber, and health-promoting phytochemicals.
- One serving of eight large strawberries is just under 50 calories.
- California strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C. One cup of strawberries has the full RDA of vitamin C- just like a large navel orange.

Grilled Strawberry & Asparagus Freekeh Salad
Yield: 2 servings
Calories: 270kcal
Author: Robin Plotkin, @robinsbite
You can add this recipe to a collection to create a shopping list!
Print Recipe Add to CollectionGo to CollectionsIngredients
- 1 cup strawberries
- 6-8 stalks of asparagus
- ¾ cup cooked freekeh (½ cup dry)
- 1 Tbsp shaved/grated Parmesan or 6-8 shaved pieces
- 1 Tbsp walnuts, toasted (optional) and chopped
- ½ Tbsp olive oil plus ½ Tbsp for drizzle
- salt and pepper
- 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 skewers soaked in cold water if wooden
Instructions
- Turn on grill and set to medium heat.
- While the grill is preheating, cook freekeh according to package directions.
- Clean, wash and dry asparagus stems. Place asparagus, olive oil, salt and pepper in a plastic bag. Shake gently to coat the asparagus. Place on grill and allow to cook for 15 minutes or until desired tenderness is achieved.
- While asparagus is cooking, clean and dry whole strawberries (leaving stems intact) and thread onto skewers. Place on grill for about 2-3 minutes or until the strawberries are just soft. Remove from skewers; remove the stems and cut into halves or fourths.
- When asparagus is cooked, remove from grill and allow to cool. Chop into 1-inch pieces.
- In a large bowl, gently toss 3/4 cup of the cooked freekeh, strawberries, asparagus, and walnuts. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Top with freshly grated or shaved Parmesan.
Nutrition
Serving: 213g | Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 50mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 6g
149 Comments on “Grilled Strawberry & Asparagus Freekeh Salad”
Anne|Craving Something Healthy
July 1, 2016 at 5:45 pmLove this recipe! Strawberries are so totally perfect in a salad. Pinned to my Fruity Salads board :)
Robin Plotkin
July 1, 2016 at 11:00 pmHi Anne-
Thank you for pinning! Have a safe and happy holiday weekend.
Laura
July 1, 2016 at 6:24 pmLove crate and barel so much! Great give away!!!
Robin Plotkin
July 1, 2016 at 11:01 pmHi Laura-
Crate and Barrel is one of my all time favorite stores, too! In fact, here in Dallas, we have a Crate and Barrel outlet–great place to find food photography props!
Thanks for stopping by!
Denise M
July 1, 2016 at 6:49 pmLooks delicious. i am so glad it is strawberry season
Robin Plotkin
July 1, 2016 at 11:00 pmThank you for stopping by, Denise!
Karman Meyer
July 1, 2016 at 8:13 pmThis is such a unique recipe—I love it! I haven’t cooked with Freekeh yet but this certainly makes me want to give it a try.
Robin Plotkin
July 1, 2016 at 10:59 pmThanks, Karmen!
FYI, I used Freekeh Foods brand of freekeh. http://freekeh-foods.com/
Hope you enjoy it!
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious
July 1, 2016 at 10:07 pmGorgeous, delicious salad! I think you know I ? Strawberries! Too bad this is one day late for my strawberry roundup! Gotta add it in!
Robin Plotkin
July 1, 2016 at 10:57 pmThanks, Jess! Have a safe and happy holiday!
Elizabeth Shaw
July 2, 2016 at 3:04 amI love strawberries! I grew up right outside of Oxnard in Ventura so love my Cali berries!!
Regan @ Healthy Aperture
July 2, 2016 at 11:07 amSo pretty! I’ve yet to try Freekah at home, but this is gonna be the reason I finally do!
Chelsea @ Chelsea's Healthy Kitchen
July 2, 2016 at 11:35 amFreekeh has become one of my new favourite grains – I love the pairing with strawberries in this salad!
Lauren Harris-Pincus
July 2, 2016 at 2:28 pmThis recipe sounds amazing. The flavor combo is fantastic!!
Prachi Garg
July 2, 2016 at 4:23 pmI have to try Freekeh … but i am big fan of strawberries :)
Heather
July 4, 2016 at 11:16 amAsparagus and strawberries are a good match, and I’ve been looking for the perfect recipe to the freekeh gifted to me recently — thanks!
sandra
July 4, 2016 at 3:23 pmLove strawberries
Katie
July 4, 2016 at 6:30 pmWhat a clever spin on a summer salad. I would not have thought to add strawberries to a grain dish, but now I will. Thanks for the inspiration.
mary ballerin
July 5, 2016 at 5:57 pm#StrawberrySummer: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/15836/strawberry-pie-ii/ great pie! your recipe sounds great, love Crate and Barrel too ;)
Darla Peduzzi
July 5, 2016 at 7:48 pmThis looks so good! You made me hungry :) Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
Darla Peduzzi
July 5, 2016 at 7:50 pmOne of my all time favorite strawberry recipes is Strawberry Shortcake. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/strawberry-shortcake-recipe3.html My mom used to make the best!
kymi adams
July 5, 2016 at 7:58 pmI love all the creative ways to enjoy Strawberries, so excited to join in the Virtual Potluck! I can’t wait to try this recipe looks so refreshing and delish. Thank you for sharing. Sharing ~ Strawberry Shortcake Trifles http://www.cookingclassy.com/2016/04/strawberry-shortcake-trifles/ via @cookingclassy1 #StrawberrySummer
Tina G.
July 5, 2016 at 10:02 pmThat recipe looks delicious!! I’m definitely going to add it to my recipe book and try it!! I love strawberries in everything!!
Tina G.
July 5, 2016 at 10:18 pm#StrawberrySummer This is one of my favorite recipes!! http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/mixed_berry_and_banana_fruit_salad/
Brenda Haines
July 5, 2016 at 11:43 pmThis recipe looks so good, I’ll have to make it next week!
Dana Matthews
July 6, 2016 at 12:17 amThis really does look good! You can’t go wrong with fresh strawberries!
Brenda McCracken
July 6, 2016 at 12:38 amLove these unique recipes.
Tammy Iler
July 6, 2016 at 1:06 amLove the recipe!
Kim O
July 6, 2016 at 1:50 amthis looks delish!
Irene Lirette
July 6, 2016 at 2:41 amOMG…anything with strawberries is good in my book!! :)
Ashley packard
July 6, 2016 at 3:04 amThis salad looks wonderful! It’s nothing like anything I would think to try, but looks amazing
Ryan Spencer
July 6, 2016 at 5:46 amCrate & Barrel is a great place to shop and I love strawberries!
kim s
July 6, 2016 at 9:07 amOh I love strawberries! I’m excited to try this recipe! Thank you!
ERICA WEAVER
July 6, 2016 at 12:36 pmawesome giveaway!! thanks for the chance we love strawberries here in our house
Jen
July 6, 2016 at 5:17 pmSome great ideas on how to add strawberries! Would love to try these recipes out.
Angela Saver
July 6, 2016 at 7:13 pmI love Calfiornia Strawberries! This recipe looks wonderful & I can’t wait to make it for my family! They will devour it!
Robin Chesser
July 6, 2016 at 11:22 pmI love this recipe, I never would have paired strawberries with freekah.
Michael Howell
July 7, 2016 at 8:40 amRecipe sounds great. I can’t wait to try it.
Gina N
July 7, 2016 at 10:43 pmFresh strawberries are my favorite. I get so excited when they are in season because I know all the varied recipes that I will be making for my family to enjoy! Your Grilled Strawberry and Asparagus Freekeh Salad sounds delicious and I will be adding this to my shopping list so I can whip this deliciousness up for an upcoming lunch party I’m having. Thanks for the giveaway chance. #StrawberrySummer
Robin Guyor
July 9, 2016 at 3:01 amStrawberries have to be my favorite summer fruit. I live in the country, and love to visit a local you-pick fruit farm to pick strawberries and make jam. One of my favorite summer activities! Thanks for the giveaway, too. I love Crate & Barrel! I’d have no problem shopping there! :-) Thanks for the chance! #StrawberrySummer
Darlene Wright
July 9, 2016 at 8:42 pmI love Strawberries, thanks for all the info
Darlene Wright
July 9, 2016 at 8:45 pmThis strawberry cake looks so good! http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/strawberry-dream-cake #StrawberrySummer
Deedra Martinez
July 9, 2016 at 8:46 pmThis sounds like something I need to try. What does Freaked taste like?
Jillian Y
July 9, 2016 at 9:08 pmwow to all that strawberries. i love strawberry salad! http://allrecipes.com/recipe/14276/strawberry-spinach-salad-i/ #STRAWBERRYSUMMER
Oanh
July 11, 2016 at 8:40 pmI’ve never heard of Freaked before. What does it taste like?
BarbaraMae
July 12, 2016 at 2:23 amI love strawberry season! They are one of my favorite treats — for dessert with whipped cream or breakfast with cottage cheese.
Nikki M
July 12, 2016 at 5:11 pmI love strawberries -will have to try
CharityS
July 12, 2016 at 5:34 pmStrawberries are my favorite snack food during the summer months.
Brenda Haines
July 13, 2016 at 2:46 pmI don’t know why, but all week I’ve been pinning instead of regraming. I hope I didn’t mess up my chances :/
Abigail Joy Dougherty
July 14, 2016 at 5:18 pmOooooh I love this salad recipe!! Sounds FABULOUS!!
Lori
July 15, 2016 at 7:52 amWe love strawberries and love all your recipes!
Michael Kiddy
July 16, 2016 at 1:47 amThis looks interesting, might have to try it.
Christina Cikins
July 16, 2016 at 11:50 pmI’ve never grilled strawberries before. This recipie sounds delicious. I’m looking forward to giving this a try.
Christin Hebron
July 18, 2016 at 8:45 pmVery refreshing and fruity summer salad!
Karen A.
July 19, 2016 at 3:57 amI had my first ever salad with strawberries in it on July 4th when my sister-in-law made it. It was delicious so I plan to try a few “strawberry salads” this summer.
Michelle Simons
July 19, 2016 at 3:48 pmI love Strawberries in everything!! love your up close pics big time.
Eugenie
July 20, 2016 at 4:37 pmThat recipe looks so good.
Tiffany C (@sweetmatcha)
July 26, 2016 at 4:44 pmOur family loves strawberries, my dds can eat a whole pint of CA strawberries in one sitting! Thanks for the chance! would put this towards new dining room chairs!
Tiffany C (@sweetmatcha)
July 26, 2016 at 4:46 pm#StrawberrySummer my fave recipe is the strawberry scones: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/strawberries–n–cream-scones from Taste of Home
Lisa Weeks
July 26, 2016 at 4:50 pmI love this recipe and strawberries!! Thank you!
Susan S.,TN
July 27, 2016 at 10:15 pmStrawberries are my favorite & seeing all these recipes are wonderful!! Thx #strawberrysummer
Brenda Haines
July 28, 2016 at 3:07 pmIt doesn’t say how to share our potluck recipes, so I have been tweeting them. I hope that’s right.
Jena Wood
July 28, 2016 at 3:32 pmThis salad sounds heavenly!! I love grain salads and freekah is one I actually haven’t tried yet! Thanks for the recipe.
Christina A.
July 28, 2016 at 8:01 pmThis looks refreshing and delicious! I am curious to try freekeh!
Cynthia C
July 29, 2016 at 8:00 pmFreekeh is new to me and I would not have thought to pair strawberries and asparagus. Thanks for sharing.
amy mayer
July 29, 2016 at 9:21 pmLove the idea of using whole grains and strawberries in salad form–perfect!
Jess
July 29, 2016 at 9:51 pmLove the stuff at Crate and Barrel!! :) thanks for this incredible opportunity!!
susan byrne
July 29, 2016 at 10:08 pmI love my strawberries fresh with nothing on it. Sometimes with a little bit of cool whip, but really it’s not needed. They are perfect on their own.
Linda Kish
July 29, 2016 at 11:46 pmFreekeh is something I haven’t tried. The recipe sounds delicious. Thanks for introducing me to this new grain.
Kimberly Flickinger
July 30, 2016 at 12:38 amI love all of your recipes, especially since strawberries are my favorite fruit!
Lori
July 30, 2016 at 2:25 amLove strawberries! Need to have them included on more restaurant salads.
Margaret Rice
July 30, 2016 at 3:03 amWe love triple berry salads, but strawberries are the best — all year long!
Rachel Beltz
July 30, 2016 at 7:08 amI never considered these two foods being paired! I wish i had though- they look delicious!
MelodyJ
July 30, 2016 at 7:25 amThis looks like a recipe worth trying.
Tricia Mason
July 30, 2016 at 8:46 amI never thought about grilling strawberries. I’ll have to give it a try. Thanks.
cynthia Hilliard
July 30, 2016 at 9:31 amCan’t wait to try so of these cool recipes!
Faye Gates
July 30, 2016 at 9:37 amThe recipes are great. I don’t have my own personal one. I do love Shoney’s Strawberry Pie.
Jeanne Coulombe
July 30, 2016 at 11:25 amgreat recipes :)
D. Paul
July 30, 2016 at 11:57 amI’m so glad I found your blog! I love your recipes and will be trying them out starting today. Thanks for the giveaway!
Dana
July 30, 2016 at 12:25 pm#StrawberrySummer! http://www.driscolls.com/recipes/view/3368/Strawberry-Caprese-Pasta-Salad?utm_source=google_adwords&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=strawberry%20recipes&utm_campaign=search_strawberry_generic&utm_content=strawberry_recipe_exact&gclid=CL_SqpuXm84CFVVahgodxwUJyw
Maureen
July 30, 2016 at 1:40 pmBetween strawberries and the beautiful array of dishes that you could display your dinner and dessert what a great table you would have at a family gathering.
Jill Hanson
July 30, 2016 at 1:45 pmThanks for the recipe, I pinned it, love strawberries and asparagus, I have never paired the two before.
Cathy French
July 30, 2016 at 2:29 pmI have actually never shopped at Crate & Barrell before but would love to shop there.
Jo-Ann Brightman
July 30, 2016 at 4:43 pmI love fresh strawberries and I love to add summer fruits to salads.
Steve Weber
July 30, 2016 at 4:58 pmStrawberries are in my daily menu.. they scream summer for us.. thanks for the chance to win.
Kathleen Kelly
July 30, 2016 at 5:12 pmI love strawberries, my favorite fruit! I have never heard of Freekeh before. Strawberry shortcake has to be one of my favorite summer desserts! You have a recipe for Strawberry pie that I want to try! Thank you for sharing!
Jeri
July 30, 2016 at 7:43 pmI have never thought of pairing strawberries and asparagus. Makes sense though. Things that are in season together often taste good together.
Sandra Watts
July 30, 2016 at 10:31 pmLove using strawberries in my dishes. These look amazingly good.
chris z
July 30, 2016 at 11:06 pmcrate and barrel is great!
Liberty
July 30, 2016 at 11:22 pmThis looks like a great recipe for summer!
Christy Peeples DuBois
July 31, 2016 at 2:54 amI love strawberrys and this recipe looks so good!! But all of your recipes look so good.
Thanks so much for this wonderful opportunity also.
Laura
July 31, 2016 at 3:59 amThese look tasty! Strawberries are so healthy! :)
crystal gibson
July 31, 2016 at 5:16 amI am always looking for new ways to use asparagus because I love it!
bn100
August 1, 2016 at 12:04 amlooks tasty
sheri anderson
August 1, 2016 at 1:23 amOh my goodness, this is so healthy and yummy looking! Thanks for this awesome opportunity to win!
Amy C.
August 1, 2016 at 2:41 amThis would be such a wonderful treat to win! The hard part would be deciding what to buy!
Deborah Wilson
August 1, 2016 at 5:29 amI love strawberries! Thanks for the chance!
Candra Evans
August 1, 2016 at 11:53 amThese dishes look so beautiful. My husband would love them! Thank you!
Hayley S
August 1, 2016 at 5:56 pmI’ve never heard of freekah, but that salad looks delicious!!
Melissa Storms
August 1, 2016 at 7:45 pmThis sounds amazing and it looks so pretty. I love strawberries added to almost any salad.
Blythe J
August 2, 2016 at 10:54 amSuch a pretty salad. I would love to know what Freekeh tastes like. I will have to find it. I also like the idea of strawberries in this salad.
Natasha Rodriguez
August 2, 2016 at 5:47 pmInteresting combination, I can’t wait to give it a shot!
DailyWoman (Lacey)
August 3, 2016 at 3:51 amMy Strawberry Recipe https://www.instagram.com/p/BHoVUvaAHXq/?taken-by=dailywomanblog
DailyWoman (Lacey)
August 3, 2016 at 3:56 amVery interesting combo, I would have never thought to put these two together.
Monica
August 3, 2016 at 10:49 pmFruits + salad = sweet and healthy!!
Yassi
August 3, 2016 at 10:50 pmLove the idea for this salad ! Strawberries in salad makes salad more delicious!! Also thanks for the opportunity for this crate and barrel gift card! I love that store but everything is too expensive for me right now lol! :-)
sandra
August 4, 2016 at 11:39 amI’ve never heard of grilling strawberries, but I’d try anything once
Amy S.
August 4, 2016 at 4:28 pmGreat recipes!
Natalie J Vandenberghe
August 5, 2016 at 1:53 amI love fresh strawberries. Your salad looks beautiful and sounds delicious!
Gabrielle
August 5, 2016 at 6:33 amThis looks like a really interesting and tasty recipe. I’ll be passing it on to my family.
Susan C.
August 5, 2016 at 12:02 pmThis looks SO good!
Sherry
August 5, 2016 at 6:06 pmI’ve never tried Freekeh but this sounds so amazing esp for the summer, will give it a try this weekend for family gathering and let you know how it was!!
Also thanks for the amazing giveaway I have entered!! *wish me luck* lol :D !
sandy A
August 5, 2016 at 8:37 pmAdd some lemon for extra wow!
Rachel
August 6, 2016 at 2:15 amThis looks delicious!
Julie Murphy
August 7, 2016 at 8:09 pmI love strawberries and ice cream
Melinda Berlin
August 8, 2016 at 4:53 pmRecipes sound amazing, I’m going to have to try a few!
Nicole Huckins
August 8, 2016 at 8:43 pmOh my this looks amazing!
Rebecca
August 9, 2016 at 2:05 amMy favorite summer strawberry recipe is strawberry shortcake with whipped cream. My kids really love strawberries.
Kushi
August 10, 2016 at 4:00 amI love strawberries in any form. This salad combo sounds and looks so delicious, beautiful!
Debra Holloway
August 10, 2016 at 7:48 amOh I love strawberries. Ours did not do so well this year.
Anna McBride
August 10, 2016 at 2:59 pmThis looks delicious! My family loves Strawberries. I think my kids would eat it everyday if they could:)
Julie
August 10, 2016 at 7:29 pmI love strawberries so much we love to get them during the summer..
Sheila Ritter
August 11, 2016 at 10:03 amI never would have considered pairing these but it actually looks rather good. I believe I will try it out on my family this weekend and see how it goes over. Thanks for sharing.
Sunnymay
August 15, 2016 at 8:41 pmMy mouth is watering looking at these strawberry recipes and wanting a smoothie or milkshake featuring strawberries.
Stacy Shipston
August 16, 2016 at 12:57 amYum I’ve been looking for new recipes to try asparagus with ! Thank you and also thank you for the opportunity!
Ms. Christian H
August 17, 2016 at 5:03 amThis salad looks so fresh and yummy! Perfect for summer!
Rita M
August 17, 2016 at 6:13 amWhen it comes to strawberries – I am in a rut as far as recipes are concerned – I mainly use them for desserts… no longer! I have pinned the recipe and am determined to give it a try. Thank You.
Julie Waldron
August 18, 2016 at 7:09 pmThis looks really good!
Evans B
August 19, 2016 at 10:29 pmHaven’t tried a Frekkeh salad ever, this looks so yummy! Thank you for sharing
karen
August 20, 2016 at 2:31 pmThanks for the great giveaway and enjoy your blog and recipes.
Linda C.
August 20, 2016 at 7:37 pmYum! Strawberries are the perfect summer fruit!
Linda C.
August 20, 2016 at 7:40 pmWe love this recipe from thecafesucrefarine.com http://thecafesucrefarine.com/2011/07/strawberry-balsamic-pizza-with-chicken/?ref=sssorganicgglunkwn&prid=sbseogglunkwn
Michelle H.
August 21, 2016 at 2:50 amThis salad looks good. I love strawberries.
Dani H
August 21, 2016 at 3:50 amI love to try new foods and I’ve never had Frekkeh. I do love strawberries. My favorite recipe is for a strawberries and cream cake that I then use in place of shortcake with fresh macerated strawberries and homemade whipped cream.
Thanks for a chance at the giveaway!
Lauralee Hensley
August 22, 2016 at 12:52 amRecipe looks delicious.
Candace Galan
August 22, 2016 at 3:39 pmI love strawberries, one of my favorite fruits to cook with! Love your recipes!
Susan Smith
August 22, 2016 at 11:08 pmI love strawberries! Strawberry shortcake is my favorite dessert.
Lyndsey R.
August 24, 2016 at 9:33 pmI would have never thought of grilling strawberries! Bet it would be good with roasted marshmallow too!
Ashley B.
August 28, 2016 at 8:59 pmWow, yummy!!
Deb C
August 29, 2016 at 9:17 amStrawberries are a thing of beauty for the eye and the tongue. We love them!
Brian Young
August 29, 2016 at 1:50 pmI really need to learn how to cook!
laurie murley
August 30, 2016 at 4:14 amI love strawberries their so good
June S.
August 30, 2016 at 5:21 amSummer just would not be summer without have some sweet juicy strawberries, they are so good-
Charles Krell
August 30, 2016 at 4:08 pmStrawberries are even better in the winter.
Sharon Braswell
August 31, 2016 at 3:27 amThis recipe looks as good as it sounds. The thought of grilled asparagus and strawberries with both their unique flavors in this freekah salad has me salivating !!
Lily Kwan
August 31, 2016 at 1:04 pmThis recipe looks very tasty. Thanks for sharing!
Jerry Marquardt
August 31, 2016 at 4:32 pmI would love to try this special recipe today! I appreciate nutritious recipes such as this. I really can’t wait to see just how delicious this is.
Jennifer H.
August 31, 2016 at 6:45 pmI would love to win this!
John H.
August 31, 2016 at 6:47 pmSounds great! Thanks for the chance!