Delicious millet recipes prove that this grain is about more than just bird seed.
While quinoa is the wunderkind of any moderately conscious eater, millet has certainly taken a back seat. Maybe it’s because most people equate millet to bird seed, or maybe it’s because millet just hasn’t been branded as a “sexy grain” yet, but for whatever reason we have forgotten to pay attention to millet. Now is the time to change that.
Gluten-free, high in protein and a good source of magnesium, millet is an all around healthy grain that packs a punch. Even better? There’s millet that’s produced in the US. That makes the grain a healthy and sustainable option to add to your plate.
Looking to incorporate millet into your daily routine? Here are 21 recipes to start with.
When you pop millet you get a well-rounded, toasted flavor, and the popped grains are easy to toss into yogurt or on a salad.
Combine with roasted butternut and use millet as a base for a hearty, wintry salad.
Who said you need rice to make risotto? No one.
4. Winter Squash and Kale Millet Burgers
Millet can easily be used as a base for vegetarian burgers. In this recipe it’s combined with kale and winter squash.
5. Millet Corn Chowder with Greens
This creamy vegetarian chowder is a perfect way to use up end of season corn.
This vegan-friendly recipe is a great alternative to classic mashed potatoes.
You can also use millet in flour form (which you can make yourself in a food processor or spice grinder) and combined with buckwheat flour you can make these tasty gluten-free wraps.
8. Cinnamon, Millet and Flax Crackers
Another fun use for millet flour: gluten-free crackers.
9. Millet and Blueberry Pancakes
When blueberries aren’t in season, or you don’t have any frozen ones on hand, consider substituting for something more seasonal; pears perhaps?
10. Sprouted Millet
Yes, even millet can be made into healthy sprouts.
11. Millet Porridge
Of all the millet recipes, hot cereal is probably one of the most common uses. This one is made with coconut milk.
If you have a waffles iron, give this gluten-free recipe a try.
13. Spiced Carrot Millet Muffins
These are so healthy you can eat them for breakfast.
14. Vegetable Galettes with Mint and Tarragon
Millet flour is used to hold these light galettes together.
15. Non-Dairy Millet Pudding with Apricots
This pudding is made by cooking millet like you would for porridge, and then adding sweet apricots.
16. Roasted Brussel Sprout and Millet Gratin
Paired with Brussel sprouts, in this dish millet makes for a wonderful main dish.
Next time you’re making up a batch of granola, toss a bit of uncooked millet in there.
Do a new take on fried rice by using millet instead.
19. Carrot Cherry Breakfast Cookies
These cookies are vegan-friendly, but you can pop uncooked millet into any of your favorite cookie recipes for a new twist.
20. Millet Scones
These gluten-free scones are made with millet and coconut flour, and perfect served with a poached egg or jam.
21. Millet Couscous with Roasted Carrots
With carrots and cumin, this couscous is perfect for colder weather days.
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Image: Steven Jackson