What to Cook With Buckwheat — 7 Easy Ideas

Almost everyone has buckwheat in the cupboard. But just boiling it gets boring fast. The good news: buckwheat is far more versatile than a plain side dish — here are 7 simple ideas with no extra ingredients or fuss.

Quick dishes (under 20 min)

1. Buckwheat with fried onion and egg. Boil the buckwheat, fry an onion until golden, stir in an egg at the end. A complete, filling dinner in minutes.

2. Buckwheat with mushrooms. Fried mushrooms and onion turn buckwheat from a side into a standalone meal. Add a splash of oil for richness.

3. Buckwheat with canned fish. A pantry classic — buckwheat plus a can of fish and some onion. Fast, cheap and genuinely tasty.

When you have a bit more time

4. Buckwheat patties. Mix cooled buckwheat with an egg and a little flour (or starch), shape and fry. A great way to use leftovers.

5. Buckwheat with stewed vegetables. Carrot, onion, bell pepper, tomato — stew and combine. A hearty, fully plant-based dish.

Unexpected ideas from the same buckwheat

6. Buckwheat salad. Cooled buckwheat + fresh vegetables + oil and herbs. Light, fresh and nothing like the porridge version.

7. Buckwheat as a filling. Buckwheat with onion and egg makes a great filling for stuffed peppers, cabbage rolls or savory pastries.

A quick tip

Buckwheat keeps well once cooked, so it's worth making a bit extra — tomorrow's patties, salad or filling are already half done. One grain, a whole week of different meals. Most of us just use it one way.