How to Cook Kamut + Delicious Kamut Recipes - Glue & Glitter (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Becky Striepe · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon and ShareASale associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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What is kamut? Here's what you need to know about this ancient grain, plus how to cook kamut and a collection of delicious kamut recipes.

How to Cook Kamut + Delicious Kamut Recipes - Glue & Glitter (1)
Jump to:
  • Kamut Nutrition
  • Where to Buy Kamut
  • Substitutes for Kamut
  • How toCookKamut on the Stovetop
  • How to Cook Kamut in the Rice Cooker
  • How to Cook Kamut in the Pressure Cooker
  • 📖 Recipe
  • More Delicious Kamut Recipes

What is kamut, and how do you cook it? That is the question I asked myself in the aisle at the DeKalb FarmersMarket, as I stared at the container of grains that looked slightly plumper than brown rice.

I vaguely remembered reading something somewhere about kamut being awesome but had no idea where or why. Of course, I decided the answer was to just buy the stuff and figure it out in the kitchen. I'm so glad I did!

You can pretty much think ofkamut as the heartiestbrown rice you've ever had, andit's got a chewier texture and nuttier flavor.

Kamut Nutrition

Kamut is an ancient variety of wheat. It's got more protein than regular wheat and more vitamins and minerals, too! A ¾cup (cooked) serving of cooked kamut contains:

  • 160calories
  • 1g fat
  • 4g dietary fiber (16% of your daily needs)
  • 7g protein (14% of your daily needs)
  • 2% of your daily calcium
  • 10% of your daily iron

It also contains plenty of trace minerals, like selenium, zinc, and magnesium.Pair your kamut with some iron-rich dark, leafy greens, and that magnesium will help your body absorb the iron. Boom.

Kamut isrelated to wheat, but some people find the gluten in kamut more easy to digest than in conventional wheat products. If you have a wheat intolerance, definitely talk to your doctor or a nutritionist about kamut. I do not recommend kamut to anyone with celiac disease. The gluten in kamut is easier todigest, but it's still gluten.

Where to Buy Kamut

Kamut is not always theeasiest grain to find at the regular grocery store.

If your store has a bulk section, that's a good bet.Also check in the aisle where they sell packaged, drygrains, like rice and barley.

I've found kamut in the bulk section at Whole Foods before, but they don't always have it. Here in Atlanta, they usually stockit at the Dekalb Farmers Market.

If you can't find it in stores, you can order kamut online. I like this one, from Bob's Red Mill.

Substitutes for Kamut

If you don't want to order online and can't find kamut at your grocery store of choice, you can substitute other grains in its place. Good substitutes for kamut are:

  • wheat berries
  • Einkorn
  • oat groats
  • farro

These may have slightly different cooking times, but the water ratio is the same, and they'll lend a similar taste and texture that works in most kamut recipes.

How to Cook Kamut + Delicious Kamut Recipes - Glue & Glitter (2)

You can use any of the kamut cooking methods below to make this easy kamut pilaf. The recipe for this vegan bowl of goodness is below, as well.

How toCookKamut on the Stovetop

Bob's Red Mill suggests soaking kamut overnight to reduce cooking time, but it's not required. If you do soak, drain before following the directions below.

  • Add 1 cup kamut to 3 cups boiling vegetable broth or water. Reduce the heat to low.
  • Cover the pot, and let the soaked grains simmer for 30-40 minutes. Unsoaked grains need 45-60 minutes.
  • Your kamut is ready when it's chewy and tender. If you soaked, there may be someliquid left in the pot.Drain it off, and serve.

How to Cook Kamut in the Rice Cooker

I like arice cooker or pressure cooker for cooking kamut, because you don't have to pay attention while things cook. That leaves you free to prep the rest of your meal orjust have a quiet minute. Hurrah!

Here's how to cook kamut in your rice cooker:

  • Combine 1 cup kamut with 3 cups water or veggie broth.
  • Turn it on (choose the brown rice setting, if your pot has white and brown rice settings).
  • When it clicks or beeps, it's done. It will take around 45-60 minutes to cook.
How to Cook Kamut + Delicious Kamut Recipes - Glue & Glitter (3)

How to Cook Kamut in the Pressure Cooker

Like cooking quinoa, the pressure cooker shavesdown your kamut cooking time. Unlike in the ricecooker, though, you definitely need to soak your kamut before cooking it in your pressure cooker.

  • Soak yourkamut overnight or do a quick soak, just like you'd do with dried beans. This quick soak method takes an hour and change. Do not skip the soaking. I tried and ended up withundercooked kamut that wouldn't soften, no matter how many times I turned the cooker back on at pressure.
  • Combine 1 cup soaked kamut with 2 ½ cups water or veggie broth.
  • Bring to high pressure, and cook for 25 minutes.
  • Let the pressure come down naturally, drain off any leftover liquid, and serve.

📖 Recipe

How to Cook Kamut + Delicious Kamut Recipes - Glue & Glitter (4)

Easy Kamut Pilaf

by Becky Striepe

Kamut pilaf makes a great, veggie-ful side dish. You can use any of the methods listed on this page for how to cook kamut to make it, so choose your own adventure!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 cup kamut uncooked (Cook using any of the methods described in the section below this recipe.)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped sweet onion
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 ½ cups chopped carrots
  • 2 cups kale chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup roasted pumpkin seeds
  • juice of 1 fresh lemon
  • 3 green onion chopped

Instructions

  • Cook the kamut in vegetable broth using your preferred method listed above. I used Not Chick’n broth cubes.

  • Heat the oil on medium in a large frying pan. Add the onion, garlic, and carrots and cook, stirring, until the onions soften, about 7 minutes.

  • Add the kale to the pan, and cook for 4-5 more minutes, until it turns a vibrant, bright green.

  • Toss the cooked kamut with the veggie mixture, pumpkin seeds, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Top with the green onions, and serve!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Easy Kamut Pilaf

Amount per Serving

Calories

445

% Daily Value*

Fat

24

g

37

%

Saturated Fat

4

g

20

%

Trans Fat

0.01

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

7

g

Monounsaturated Fat

10

g

Potassium

793

mg

23

%

Carbohydrates

48

g

16

%

Fiber

10

g

40

%

Sugar

9

g

10

%

Protein

18

g

36

%

Vitamin A

11463

IU

229

%

Vitamin C

39

mg

47

%

Calcium

143

mg

14

%

Iron

5

mg

28

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Keywords how to cook kamut, kamut pilaf

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More Delicious Kamut Recipes

How to Cook Kamut + Delicious Kamut Recipes - Glue & Glitter (5)
  • Get-Well-Quick Chickpea Soup -Throw your kamut and veggies into the crock pot, and you'll have some soothing, healing soup in no time.
  • Kamut with Caramelized Onions - Kristen's heartyrecipe calls for wheat berries, but she says that kamut works great as a substitute.
  • Kamut + Wild Rice Salad - This is another nice, summer salad that would be a good meal all on its own.
  • Lemon-Mint Kamut - Ellen Kanner's bright, lemony kamut salad with chickpeas is a nice, simple weeknight meal.
  • Spicy Kamut and Chickpea Stew - What can I say? Kamut and chickpeas are a great combination! Ally's stew recipe is a one-pot meal, so there's very little cleanup.
  • Kamut Salad -Skip the egg garnish to make this fresh, summery salad. Instead of egg, serve with a little crispy baked tofu!
How to Cook Kamut + Delicious Kamut Recipes - Glue & Glitter (2024)

FAQs

How to Cook Kamut + Delicious Kamut Recipes - Glue & Glitter? ›

Rinse the kamut and drain in a colander. Add water, berries and salt to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 1 to 1 ½ hours or until berries are soft and water has been absorbed. Alternately, soak the berries for an hour or overnight.

Do you have to soak Kamut before cooking? ›

Rinse the kamut and drain in a colander. Add water, berries and salt to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 1 to 1 ½ hours or until berries are soft and water has been absorbed. Alternately, soak the berries for an hour or overnight.

How long to boil Kamut? ›

For best results, soak Kamut® berries in water overnight, then drain. Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a pot with salt. Add Kamut®, return to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-high and boil uncovered until soft, about 40–60 minutes. Drain off cooking water, then serve.

How long to cook Kamut flakes? ›

Combine 3 cups water, ½ tsp salt and 1 cup cereal in a slow cooker. Stir well. Cover and cook on low for 3–4 hours or high for 1–2 hours. Stir well and serve.

How to know when Kamut is cooked? ›

In a large saucepan, bring 8 cups liquid to a boil, then add kamut and return to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-high and boil without a lid until kamut is soft to your liking, about 45 to 60 minutes. Drain off excess liquid and serve as desired.

Does kamut need to be rinsed? ›

You do need to rinse your Kamut if you are cooking it whole. Wash kamut in a sieve or strainer in the sink before soaking. After rinsing, soak the Kamut in fresh water for 6-8 hours or overnight before cooking.

What happens if you don't soak grains? ›

If you've been eating whole grains, nuts and seeds for years without soaking, don't stress. A small amount of phytic acid is reduced just by the cooking process alone. But for minimal effort, you can significantly improve the digestibility and nutrition of these important foods.

What does Kamut do to your body? ›

Kamut is highly beneficial for cardiovascular health due to the high levels of magnesium it contains. Magnesium helps to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. It also helps to maintain healthy nerve and muscle function, and it is essential for bone health.

Can you eat Kamut like rice? ›

The whole Organic Kamut Berries can be used in place of wheat berries or rice in recipes like pilafs, casseroles, and both warm and cold salads.

Is Kamut healthier than quinoa? ›

Quinoa is a good choice for weight loss because it is low on the glycemic index and reduces food cravings. If you are looking for foods that will give you more energy, Kamut is the right choice. Kamut is high in protein, fiber, and fatty acids, which all promote high energy levels.

Can I eat Kamut everyday? ›

Kamut wheat is safe for consumption in food amounts. Keep in mind that Kamut does contain gluten. It is known to have less gluten than whole wheat products and to be more easily digested, but if you have a severe gluten intolerance, like celiac disease, you want to avoid consuming Kamut.

What does Kamut taste like? ›

Kamut has a nutty flavor with kernels measuring two to three times the size of most wheat. The grains are light tan in color, while the flour is more golden than the typical wheat variety.

Can I cook Kamut in a rice cooker? ›

Beyond Rice

It's easy to explore the more exotic grains like Kamut®, amaranth and teff when their cook-time is entirely self-monitored. In general, when cooking different grains in a rice cooker, use the grain to liquid ratio you would normally use in a pot.

Does kamut spike blood sugar? ›

Grains like wild rice, kamut, and quinoa, are high-quality sources of carbohydrates, the body's preferred source of fuel. Whole grains also contain fiber, a type of non-digestible carbohydrate that helps maintain a healthy gut, as well as regular digestion, and lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

How is kamut eaten? ›

Depending on the form it comes in, Kamut can be added to breads, pasta, pilafs, side dishes, salads, soups and stews. Before cooking the whole grains, they can be rinsed and soaked for up to 24 hours to reduce the cooking time.

Does kamut expire? ›

Unmilled kamut berries boast an impressive shelf life, potentially lasting for 30 years or more under optimal conditions. The longevity of kamut flour is shorter; typically, it remains fresh for 6 to 12 months when kept in a cool, dry place inside an airtight container.

Do you need to soak grains before cooking? ›

Whole grains are wonderful in flavor and I'm glad you are using those such as millet. Soaking is not necessary but it does appear to make it easier to digest and breaks down the phytic acid that blocks absorption of some nutrients.

Which grains are soaked in water before cooking? ›

Common foods you must always soak before eating
  • 1/6. Essential soaking secrets. ...
  • 2/6. Legumes (Beans, lentils, chickpeas) ...
  • 3/6. Grains (Rice, quinoa, oats) ...
  • 4/6. Nuts and seeds. ...
  • 5/6. Whole grains and whole wheat flour. ...
  • 6/6. Vegetables.
May 15, 2023

Is kamut high in phytic acid? ›

However, wheat flours (such as whole wheat, spelt and kamut) and rye flour contain high levels of phytase. Therefore, adding a small amount of rye flour (or rolled rye flakes) to your oat or corn acid-soak will help to reduce the high levels of phytic acid found in these grains.

Can you eat kamut like rice? ›

The whole Organic Kamut Berries can be used in place of wheat berries or rice in recipes like pilafs, casseroles, and both warm and cold salads.

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