20 Tasty Sorghum Recipes You Need to Make Right Now (2024)

Move over quinoa and brown rice. There’s a new healthy superstar in town! Sorghum is a hearty grain packed with fiber and protein. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to add a variety of plant-based foods to their diet. Get the nutrition scoop on sorghum and check out these 20 delicious sorghum recipes that will show you just how versatile this grain can be!

20 Tasty Sorghum Recipes You Need to Make Right Now (1)

What is sorghum?

If you haven’t tried sorghum yet, you’re in for a real treat! It’s a gluten-free grain with a delicious nutty flavor and a lovely chewy texture. And, while it may be a new ingredient to many of you in the United States (I’m always encouraging my clients to try it!), it’s worth stocking in your pantry along with my other favorite ancient grains!

Is it good for you?

Sorghum is a hearty grain rich in plant-based protein, gut-healthy fiber, b vitamins, and iron-it provides 12% of the recommended daily value for iron! In addition, its lower glycemic index makes sorghum a good choice for blood sugar control, and some varieties of sorghum are also rich in antioxidants.

Gluten-free sorghum is a tasty grain for anyone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity that needs to follow a gluten-free diet. But, even if you don’t need to exclude gluten from your diet if you’re looking for a new grain to add to your rotation, give sorghum a shot!

Also, if you’re following a low FODMAP diet for IBS, you may be curious to know if sorghum is low FODMAP. Per the Monash app, as of January 10, 2022 sorghum flour has been tested and is low FODMAP. Whole grain sorghum isn’t tested, but it should be low FODMAP too. On the other hand, sorghum syrup is low FODMAP at 2 teaspoons or less but is high FODMAP in larger amounts.

Cool sorghum facts

Sorghum is a highly drought-tolerant crop and sustainable grain used for animal feed and ethanol production. Fortunately for us, sorghum is popping into the mainstream consumer market so that we can enjoy more of this healthy and delicious whole grain!

How to Cook Sorghum

You should be aware that sorghum takes longer to cook than some other grains, so plan enough time for cooking. Below are two methods to choose from.

Stovetop Method (cooking time is ~50 minutes)

Put water in a large or medium pan along with kosher salt and bring to a boil. Add 1 cup sorghum (1 cup of uncooked sorghum makes 4 cups cooked) and turn down the stove to low heat to cook at a low, steady simmer. Cover pot and cook, occasionally stirring, for about 50 minutes, or until your sorghum has a nice chewy bite to it. Drain excess liquid thoroughly, as you don’t want your cooked sorghum grains to be watery.

Slow Cooker Method (~ 4 hours)

I’ve discovered slow cooking a big batch of sorghum then storing leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, or even the freezer, is the best way to enjoy this delicious & nutritious ancient grain.

Check out my slow cooker method for cooking sorghum at The Food Network.

What foods pair well with sorghum?

While you’ll want to try some of the sorghum recipes I’m sharing with you today, here are a few savory and sweet ingredient pairings for cooking with sorghum at home. What different ways would you use sorghum?

  • Olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, pine nuts, salt, black pepper
  • Carrots, lentils, curry powder, ginger, lime
  • (Sweet) Coconut milk, cinnamon, orange zest, raisins

Where to Buy Sorghum

You may find whole grain sorghum and sorghum flour at your local grocery stores, but if not, you can buy it online at Thrive Market, Bob’s Red Mill, and Amazon.

20 Tasty Sorghum Recipes

All of these sorghum recipes are gluten-free, and almost all of them are vegetarian or vegan. Choose from main dishes, sides, salads, breakfasts, and desserts.

Huge thanks to my dietitian and gluten-free food blogger friends for sharing their delicious sorghum recipes, plus I’ve got a few favorites of my own from The Spicy RD Blog. Enjoy!

Sorghum Recipes w/ Sorghum Flour and Sorghum Syrup

Now it’s time to get your own sorghum crush on! Huge thanks to my dietitian and gluten-free food blogger friends for sharing their delicious sorghum recipes!

20 Tasty Sorghum Recipes You Need to Make Right Now (2)

Whole Grain Sorghum Recipes

20 Tasty Sorghum Recipes You Need to Make Right Now (3)

More Sorghum Love: Nutrition, Research, & Sorghum Recipes

Have you tried sorghum before? Which of these sorghum recipes do you most want to try? What healthy food are you crushing on lately???

Want to take your health up to the next level, all while eating delicious food? Join my 30-40+ Plants per Week Challenge!

EA Stewart

Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist

EA Stewart, MBA, RD is an integrative registered dietitian specializing in wellness nutrition, digestive health, autoimmune disease, brain health, and vibrant aging. She creates easy, plant-forward gluten-free recipes for a wide variety of diets including low FODMAP, Mediterranean, and more.

20 Tasty Sorghum Recipes You Need to Make Right Now (2024)

FAQs

What can you do with sorghum? ›

It has a mild, nutty flavor and can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, soups, and stews. Sorghum can also be ground into flour and used in baking, or popped like popcorn. Sorghum is a staple food in many parts of Africa, and it's also popular in some regions of the United States.

Should sorghum be soaked before cooking? ›

Yield – 1 : 3 – 1 cup of dried wholegrain sorghum cooked in 3 cups of water will give around 3 cups of cooked sorghum. Preparation Tips: As for most whole grains, it is always a good idea to soak the sorghum first, ideally for 6-8 hours, so that it is easier to digest.

Can you eat sorghum like oatmeal? ›

Sorghum is a versatile crop, serving as an excellent substitute for rice, oatmeal, and other grains such as quinoa and barley.

What products can be made from sorghum? ›

In Arab cuisine, the unmilled grain is often cooked to make couscous, porridges, soups, and cakes. Many use it, along with other flours or starches, to make bread. Sorghum seeds can be popped in the same manner as popcorn (i.e., with oil or hot air, etc.), although the popped kernels are smaller than popcorn.

Is it safe to eat sorghum everyday? ›

The USDA recognizes sorghum as 100% gluten-free, meaning it's safe for people with Celiac's Disease and gluten intolerance to eat on a regular basis. Both sorghum flour and whole-grain sorghum are great substitutes for wheat-based recipes.

What is the most common use of sorghum? ›

Sorghum is a non-GMO, gluten free, ancient grain that is most commonly used as feed for livestock but is also a popular food grain for people residing in Asia and Africa. Because of it's gluten free properties, sorghum is a welcome whole grain alternative for those who deal with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.

What makes sorghum bitter? ›

Condensed tannins and other phenolic compounds present in sorghum, also responsible for its antioxidant potential, are known to produce bitter taste (Kobue-Lekalake et al., 2007) .

Can you eat sorghum like rice? ›

There are several ways that sorghum is used in food products. It can be eaten similar to rice or porridge, added to baked goods, and even popped like popcorn. Whole grain. The unprocessed grain is hearty and chewy and can be cooked like rice or quinoa.

Is sorghum better than quinoa? ›

Sorghum's mild sweet flavor can easily be subbed for quinoa. Just like fluffy quinoa, this tasty chewy whole grain has a relatively high protein content, making it a great choice for a plant-based meal. It's gluten-free, but contains TWICE the amount of fiber as quinoa!

What cereal is made from sorghum? ›

* More Free Radical Protection * More Natural Plant Fiber * Slows Sugar Absorption* New Grain Berry Cereals offer health benefits like no other cereal for a strong start to the day! Our whole grain cereals are the first and only to contain Amazing Onyx Sorghum.

Is sorghum healthier than popcorn? ›

Popped sorghum is smaller, sweeter, and more nutrient-dense than popcorn. It also has fewer calories and less fat. But like popcorn, you can pop it in the microwave or on the stove.

Is sorghum an anti inflammatory? ›

Therefore, it is recommended to include foods in the diet that have anti-inflammatory properties. Sorghum has higher antioxidant levels and anti-inflammatory properties than blueberries.

Why don't we eat sorghum? ›

It takes stomach enzymes longer to break down the wall to reach the nutritional proteins in sorghum than it does to reach the proteins in similar grains, such as corn.

What does China do with sorghum? ›

A leading sorghum producer, China also is the largest importer and consumer. Baijiu, the most consumed spirit in the world, is made from sorghum and remains a mainstay in Chinese culture. A celebration in America often calls for a toast of champagne.

Which is healthier sorghum or molasses? ›

Sorghum molasses contains higher amounts of some nutrients than molasses, such as phosphorus and zinc, and it is lower in sodium.

How do people eat sorghum? ›

You can cook this grain like quinoa or rice, mill it into flour, or pop it like popcorn. It's also converted into a syrup that's used to sweeten many processed foods. There are a lot of health benefits to eating whole grains like sorghum.

What does sorghum taste like to eat? ›

Sorghum has a slightly nutty flavor and goes wonderfully in a variety of dishes. If you're new to this grain, you're probably wondering how to cook with it. There are two types of sorghum that can be used for cooking: grain sorghum and sweet sorghum.

How do you prepare sorghum to eat? ›

Stovetop. Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a pot with salt. Add rinsed sorghum, return to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-high and boil uncovered until soft, about 50–60 minutes. Drain off cooking water, then serve.

Can I eat sorghum raw? ›

The desi weight loss food apart from being consumed as roti, dosa or cheela, can also be eaten in its raw form and doesn't need much cooking. For diabetics, it is a healthy choice as it is considered a complex carbohydrate and takes time to digest thus not shooting up blood sugar levels.

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