20 Tasty Sorghum Recipes You Need to Make Right Now
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!
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!
- Easy 3-Ingredient All-Purpose Gluten-Free Flour Blend This easy flour blend is my “go-to” for gluten-free baking. Sorghum flour is one of my favorite gluten-free flours, as it tastes most similar to whole wheat flour, IMO, and has a subtle flavor that goes well with practically anything.
- One Bowl Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
- Decadent Gluten-Free Brownies Triad to Wellness
- All-Purpose Gluten-Free Flour with Sorghum and Rice Life After Wheat
- Blood Orange Quick Bread Strength & Sunshine
- Chocolate Brownies w/ a Secret Ingredient My Plant-Based Family
- Perfect Cinnamon Rolls Allergy Free Alaska
- Perfect Pizza Crust Allergy Free Alaska
- Cinnamon Yogurt Banana Bread Raias Recipes
- Salted Maple Walnut Pie w/ Sorghum Syrup Treats With a Twist
Whole Grain Sorghum Recipes
- Sorghum Pilaf This quick and simple sorghum pilaf with sauteed onions and pine nuts pairs deliciously with roast chicken, grilled salmon, or seared tofu, along with steamed veggies, for an easy weeknight dinner.
- Greek Sorghum Veggie Bowl This satisfying Greek Sorghum Bowl combines a quick pilaf made with sorghum, sauteed onions, and pine nuts with Mediterranean veggies and tangy feta.
- Spiced Apple Yogurt Sorghum Bowl This delicious combination of sorghum, Greek yogurt, and cinnamon-ginger sauteed apple is a comforting and healthy breakfast for a cold winter’s morning.
- Strawberry Vanilla Sorghum Parfait ~ Nutrition Starring You
- Savory Sorghum Burrito Bowls ~ Mom’s Kitchen Handbook
- Cranberry Ginger Sorghum Salad ~ Jessica
- Salad with Sorghum, Grilled Vegetables, & Steak {Use gluten-free tamari for a GF version} ~ Abby Langer Nutrition
- Warm Sorghum Salad with Kohlrabi, Apple & Fennel ~ Strength & Sunshine
- Sorghum Bowl with Black Beans, Amaranth, & Avocado ~ New York Times Health
- Sweet Corn Sorghum Stuffed Peppers ~ Naturally Ella
More Sorghum Love: Nutrition, Research, & Sorghum Recipes
- Wondergrain ~ Find sorghum recipes, products for purchase, and sorghum nutrition information.
- Triad to Wellness Sorghum Recipes ~ LOTS of delicious sorghum recipes to choose from!
- Oldways Whole Grains Council: Sorghum June Grain of the Month ~ Fun info on the history of growing sorghum, nutrition information, research studies, recipes, and more!
Have you tried sorghum before? Which of these sorghum recipes do you most want to try? What healthy food are you crushing on lately???
I just made followed directions but find too clumpy and soft. Expected a more grain like texture?
Hi Bonnie! Thanks for sharing and sorry the texture didn’t work out for you. This is what usually works for me, but depending on the level of heat, 50 minutes may be a little too long. Perhaps try again, but cook for a shorter time. And, definitely drain the cooked sorghum very well, or it will be too watery and mushy.
Have you tried using arrowroot instead of tapioca and potato starch? I used that combo (sorghum and arrowroot) for some oven fried chicken and it was delicious. I was wondering about using it for bread. Any suggestions or recipies?
Hi Suzette! I have used arrowroot for a few things, but haven’t experimented with bread yet. It sounds delicious with the oven fried chicken 🙂 Gretchen, at Kumquat blog, uses arrowroot in a lot of her recipes-you may want to check out her website to see if she has any bread recipes w/ arrowroot. Here’s the link: https://kumquatblog.com/ If you experiment, I’d love to hear how it turns out!
Do you have a recipe for sorghum pancakes? PLEASE
Hi Daisy~Thanks so much for stopping by! I have a couple of recipes for pancakes on my blog w. sorghum flour in them; https://www.eastewart.com/recipes-and-nutrition/recipe-redux-cinnamon-orange-syrup-oatmeal-pancakes/ (Made w/ my 3-Ingredient Flour Blend: https://www.eastewart.com/easy-3-ingredient-all-purpose-gluten-free-flour-blend/ And,https://www.eastewart.com/recipes-and-nutrition/recipe-redux-gingerbread-pancakes-gingerbread-pancake-mix/ Hope this helps! Cheers!!
I have not tried sorghum yet. I like the parfait recipe and I wouldn’t mind trying that one out. Right now the healthy food I’m crushing on is spinach. There are some many ways to incorporate it into your food!
I want to try the Greek Sorghum Veggie Bowl! Looks like it would be a great dinner and then perfect for leftovers at lunch.
I haven’t tried sorghum yet….I would love to give it a try! My low fodmap diet is in need of some inspiration. My favorite food right now is a peanut butter banana combination broiled and topped with chia seeds.
Would love to win????
Im on a huge avacado kick. One a day. Also, salmon!
I’ve never cooked with sorghum before, but you sure are making me think about it! Love that chocolate chip pumpkin bread.
After reading your informative post, I’m totally crushing on sorghum too! I must admit I’ve never cooked it before but now I can’t wait to try! And that chocolate chip pumpkin bread looks amazing!
I have used this before because I have a very restricted diet and this is one of the few flours I can use and it’s great for baking! Can’t wait to make that pumpkin bread!
I have been virtually unable to eat for the past 4 months and was just given a list of foods I can eat and sorghum is the only grain so I’m going to have to learn fast. I’ve been wheat-free for 16 years.
I have not tried Sorghum before but I would love to try the one bowl chocolate chip pumpkin bread.
Honestly, I’ve never even heard of sorghum, but these recipes all sound AMAZING. I’d most love to try the Greek Sorghum Veggie Bowl. Thanks for the chance to win and for exposing me to an awesome new food to try!
I’ve never tried sorghum before but I love to bake with all types of stuff
i have never had sorghum but i would love to try it!
I haven’t tried sorghum. I actually had a recipe that used it and couldn’t find it locally so I gave up!
I *love* sorghum, especially when baking, and can’t wait to make either of the brownie recipes!
I always learn so much from your blog and blog posts. I have never had sorghum; I guess I thought it was a feed for livestock? After reading this post about the versatility and nutrtional benefits (plus the photos of those sorghum recipes) Iwould love to give it a try! Pinning this!
I use sorghum all the time. I’d like to try making a pizza crust with it.
I’ve never tried sorghum but I love the variety of uses! My latest health food addiction is probably blackstrap molasses. Perfect for a gooey bowl of oatmeal!
I need to get on the sorghum train. I haven’t tried it before, but when I do I now have plenty of recipes to try 🙂
I have not tried sorghum either. I really feel out of the loop.
Sorghum never looked so sexy. Move over quinoa! Can’t wait to dig into these recipes.
Thanks so much for including my cranberry ginger sorghum recipe! I am so excited to try some of these other recipes now that I know I like this ancient grain that until recently was new to me! Great roundup!
This looks great EA! I have never tried sorghum, but now I definitely want to! Your Greek Veggie Bowl for the Food Network blog has caught my eye, maybe because I’m obsessed with feta lately. But, I also can’t stop eating Honey Bunches of Oats with Chocolate right now! It’s gluten free too, and totally satisfies this sweet tooth I can’t kick lately!
What a cool giveaway! I need to buy some if I don’t win so I can try this wondergrain!
Sorghum has been on my list to try FOREVER – all these recipes definitely are giving me the motivation to do so now. I know I’ll be a fan because I love farro, barley, wheatberries, etc. and it seems like it has the same type of texture.
We have not tried sorghum yet, but it’s definitely on the to-experiment-with list — both for eating and for homebrewing!