Freekeh: What It Is and How to Choose Whole or Cracked
Learn what freekeh tastes like, how whole and cracked forms cook, and how it differs from bulgur.
Freekeh is wheat harvested while young and green, then roasted and processed. It has an earthy, smoky character and comes in whole and cracked forms. Both can work in a grain bowl or pilaf; the difference is how quickly they cook and how pronounced each piece feels in the finished dish.
You'll also see it spelled farik or frikeh. The spelling may change from shop to shop, but the most useful question at the shelf is usually simpler: whole or cracked?
Whole versus cracked freekeh
Whole freekeh consists of intact grains. Expect a more substantial bite and allow the time suggested on the packet. Cracked freekeh has been broken into smaller pieces and generally cooks more quickly. The Whole Grains Council describes cracked freekeh as the quicker-cooking form.
Neither is automatically better. Whole grains can add a distinct chew to a salad; smaller cracked pieces can make a softer pilaf or sit neatly among chopped vegetables. Brands vary, so use the packet and taste for your preferred texture.
What does freekeh taste like?
Roasting gives freekeh its characteristic smoky note. Its earthy flavor works well with roasted vegetables, herbs and bright dressings. It can also provide a savory base for a bowl. Start with a simple preparation if you've never tried it: the grain has enough personality to introduce itself.
How do you cook it?
Read the packet for the form you've bought. Rinse or prepare it as directed, simmer with the recommended liquid, and check a few grains for tenderness. Whole and cracked freekeh should not be assumed to have the same cooking time. If you're adapting a recipe that uses the other form, start checking early and adjust the liquid and cooking time as needed.
For a salad, let the cooked grain cool enough that it will not wilt the other ingredients. For a warm pilaf, fold in vegetables and herbs after the grain has reached the texture you want.
For a step-by-step method and troubleshooting, see how to cook whole and cracked freekeh.
Is freekeh the same as bulgur?
Both are wheat products and both can be sold as smaller pieces, but their processing differs. Bulgur is cooked, dried and broken into grades; freekeh is harvested green and roasted. Freekeh's smoky flavor will therefore change a dish made with bulgur, even where the textures are similar enough for a substitution.
Freekeh is wheat and contains gluten. Check the product label when cooking for someone with a dietary restriction.