Vegetable Buckwheat Salad

Article written and reviewed by Robby Barbaro, MPH
Published December 26, 2025

A Hearty, Plant-Powered Salad That Delivers Steady Energy

This Vegetable Buckwheat Salad is a perfect example of how simple, whole ingredients can come together to create a meal that’s both satisfying and energizing. With tender buckwheat groats, roasted vegetables, chickpeas, and fresh herbs, this salad delivers bold flavor, satisfying texture, and long-lasting fullness.

It’s warm enough to feel grounding, yet light enough to leave you feeling energized — not weighed down. Whether you enjoy it fresh out of the oven or chilled as leftovers the next day, this salad fits seamlessly into a blood-sugar-friendly lifestyle.

Buckwheat Groats: A Fiber-Rich, Gluten-Free Carb for Stable Blood Sugar

Despite its name, buckwheat is not a type of wheat. It’s a gluten-free seed that’s rich in fiber, minerals, and plant compounds that support metabolic health. Buckwheat digests slowly, helping deliver glucose steadily to your cells rather than all at once.

Because it’s naturally low in fat and high in complex carbohydrates, buckwheat is an excellent base for meals designed to improve insulin sensitivity and support consistent energy throughout the day.

Roasted Vegetables for Volume, Flavor, and Micronutrients

Roasting onions, bell peppers, and zucchini brings out their natural sweetness while keeping the dish oil-free and nutrient-dense. These vegetables add volume, fiber, and antioxidants — allowing you to eat a generous portion without excess calories.

Vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini are also rich in vitamin C, potassium, and phytonutrients that support immune function, hydration, and cellular health.

Chickpeas and Parsley for Plant Protein and Freshness

Chickpeas add plant-based protein and soluble fiber, both of which help slow digestion and support more stable blood sugar after meals. They also make the salad more filling, helping it work as a complete, satisfying meal.

Fresh parsley adds brightness and flavor while contributing additional antioxidants and micronutrients. The final splash of red wine vinegar ties everything together with a light, tangy finish that balances the roasted vegetables perfectly.

Bring It All Together

This Butternut Squash Medley is proof that eating for blood sugar balance doesn’t require complicated recipes or restrictive rules. With fiber-rich carbohydrates, plant protein, and a rainbow of vegetables, this meal supports steady energy, digestion, and long-term metabolic health — all while tasting fresh and satisfying.

Vegetable Buckwheat Salad

Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 2 Serving
Calories 434 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1 ⅓ cups (315g) Water
  • ⅔ cup (109g) Buckwheat, Dry - Available in 16-ounce bags
  • 2 (6g) Garlic Cloves (minced) - About 1 bulb
  • 1 cup (194g) White Onion (sliced into rings) - About 2 medium-sized onions
  • 1 cup (149g) Yellow Bell Pepper (sliced into rings) - About 1 large-sized pepper
  • 1 cup (149g) Red Bell Pepper (sliced into rings) - About 1 large-sized pepper
  • 1 cup (149g) Zucchini (chopped into 1/4" rounds) - About 1 medium-sized zucchini
  • 1 cup (164g) Chickpeas - About ⅔ of a 15-ounce can
  • ¼ tsp (1g) Black Pepper - Available in spice jars
  • 1 cup (60g) Parsley - About 1 medium-sized bunch
  • 2 tbsps (30g) Red Wine Vinegar - Available in 16.9-fluid-ounce bottles

Instructions
 

  • Heat oven to 450°F. Prepare a lined baking sheet or roast pan with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  • Bring water to a boil and cook buckwheat for 15-20 minutes until all water is absorbed and buckwheat has softened.
  • Mince the garlic, cut the onions into rings, peppers into strips, zucchini into ¼ inch thick rounds, and drain the chickpeas. Scatter on the baking sheet and sprinkle with black pepper.
  • Bake, stirring once, about 20 minutes until vegetables are lightly browned and tender.
  • Place buckwheat in a bowl and toss in the roasted vegetables, parsley, and red wine vinegar. Enjoy!

Notes

  • No Buckwheat: Use quinoa, brown rice, or cauliflower rice instead.

Nutrition

Calories: 434kcalCarbohydrates: 88gProtein: 18gFat: 4.4gFiber: 17g

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About the author 

Robby Barbaro, MPH

Robby Barbaro, MPH is a New York Times bestselling co-author of Mastering Diabetes: The Revolutionary Method to Reverse Insulin Resistance Permanently in Type 1, Type 1.5, Type 2, Prediabetes, and Gestational Diabetes.

Robby was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 12 and has been living this lifestyle since 2006. In that time, while eating pounds of fruit every day, his HbA1c has been stable with a current A1c of 5.3%, TIR of 92%, and average total daily insulin use of 30 units.

Robby graduated from the University of Florida and is the cofounder of Mastering Diabetes and Amla Green. He worked at Forks Over Knives for six years before turning his attention in 2016 to coaching people with diabetes full time.

He is the co-host of the annual Mastering Diabetes Online Summit, a featured speaker at VegFest LA, and has been featured on The Doctors, Forks Over Knives, Vice, Thrive Magazine, Diet Fiction, and the wildly popular podcasts the Rich Roll Podcast, Plant Proof, MindBodyGreen, and Nutrition Rounds.

Robby enjoys exercising every day, spending time with friends, and sharing his lifestyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.