The Next Great ‘Grain’: 24 Millet Recipes

If you’ve never heard of millet, you’re not alone. The ancient food is more widely known in the Western world as the main ingredient in bird feed than as a diet staple, but that’s primed to change.

While widely referred to as a grain, millet is actually a seed. And while birds do love it, it’s easy to see why humans choose it, too. It’s naturally gluten-free, high in fiber and low on the glycemic index, keeping your blood sugar levels stable. (1) It’s also an alkaline food, meaning it’s easily digestible, a good option for those with sensitive stomachs.

If you’ve never cooked with millet, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Depending on how it’s cooked, millet recipes can have a creamy texture like mashed potatoes or a fluffier, slightly crunchy one like quinoa or rice. Try one of these delicious millet recipes to add this healthy ingredient to your meals!

24 Millet Recipes You’ll Love

1. Breakfast Bowl Millet

When you need a change from oatmeal or quinoa, this breakfast bowl does the trick. Thick and fluffy, it has just the right amount of sweetness and keeps you full for hours. And though the chocolate chips are optional, I think they make a fun weekend add-in!

Photo: Breakfast Bowl Millet / Chocolate-Covered Katie

2. Cheesy Millet-Stuffed Butternuts with Shiitakes and Kale Pesto

This hearty vegetarian dish is so jam-packed with flavor that you won’t miss the meat. While preparing the whole recipe at once might take some time, it’s easy to make this one in advance. Millet is stuffed into a roasted butternut squash alongside shiitake mushrooms, onions, fresh herbs and cheese.

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It all gets rounded out with the healthy benefits of kale pesto (made from scratch) and toasted pumpkin seeds. This could easily become one of your favorite millet recipes!

Photo: Cheesy Millet-Stuffed Butternuts with Shiitakes and Kale Pesto / The Bojon Gourmet

3. Chicken, Millet and Mushroom One-Skillet Meal

You need just one pan to make this quick and easy millet recipe. Using skinless chicken thighs adds extra flavor without fat; for even more taste, use fresh herbs instead of dried. Be sure to use coconut oil instead of canola and feel free to swap Swiss chard with another favorite leafy green.

4. Choco-Nut Puffed Millet Squares

Skip artificial ingredient-laden Cocoa Puffs and make a batch of these squares instead. With just five ingredients that are gluten-free and vegan, there’s no excuse to skip this sweet treat!

Photo: Choco-Nut Puffed Millet Squares / Katy’s Kitchen

5. Clean and Comforting Fall Risotto

This cozy bowl uses millet in place of Arborio rice for a dairy-free risotto that’s iron-rich and phosphorous-rich. The addition of earthy mushrooms and artichoke hearts makes this a wonderful option for a light dinner or side dish.

6. Cozy Millet Bowl with Mushroom Gravy and Kale

Sometimes you just want something that’ll warm you down to your toes, a hearty dish that’s packed with flavor. This millet recipe fits the bill. The meat-free mushroom gravy adds a decadent feel to the fluffy millet. A cup of fresh kale adds extra health benefits. Enjoy this one on a weekend or after a tough day.

Photo: Cozy Millet Bowl with Mushroom Gravy and Kale / Oh She Glows

7. Creamy Butternut Chickpea Millet

It’s hard to go wrong in a recipe that includes butternut squash, chickpeas and millet, but when you throw in fresh herbs, seasonings and veggies along with them, you’ve got a winner. This millet recipe can make for flavorful vegetarian high-protein snack, and it comes together in just 30 minutes. Add this to your weeknight menu.

Photo: Creamy Butternut Chickpea Millet / Produce on Parade

8. Creamy Cauliflower Millet Mash

Swap out starch-heavy potatoes in favor of this hearty, healthy alternative. Thick and creamy, this recipe doesn’t taste exactly like traditional mashed potatoes, but in this case, that’s a good thing. Be sure to add water or stock gradually to ensure you won’t wind up with a watery side dish. Top with parsley or scallions before serving for a pop of color, and enjoy!

9. Creamy Coconut Millet Porridge

You just might never return to making regular old porridge again after starting your day with this version. Velvety coconut milk, dark chocolate chips and pistachios (or your favorite nut) turn this simple breakfast into a real treat. It’s super easy to make, too! Get ready for a new a.m. favorite.

Photo: Creamy Coconut Millet Porridge / Cook Republic

10. Fall Harvest Bowl

Everything is more fun to eat in a bowl, and this fall harvest one is no exception. Chili-spice roasted squash and caramelized onions team up with millet and a kale salad for a healthy dinner that keeps you full for hours. Make a big batch of squash and onions early in the week to make assembly quicker for busy evenings.

Photo: Fall Harvest Bowl / Beard and Bonnet

11. Greek Stuffed Peppers

I love finding new fillings for stuffed peppers, and this Greek-inspired version is a favorite. It’s got all the best Greek ingredients — feta cheese, Kalamata olives, spinach and lemon juice are all here — along with protein-packed chickpeas, flavorful sundried tomatoes and seasonings. It makes a tasty lunch or dinner and can be made vegan-friendly by omitting the cheese.

Photo: Greek Stuffed Peppers / Edible Perspective

12. Lemon Millet with Grilled Asparagus and Blistered Tomatoes

Juicy, charred tomatoes meet fresh asparagus and fluffy millet in this recipe that’s a breeze to put together. This lemon millet makes a light, refreshing springtime lunch or dinner and can be made in a grill pan or even in the oven. Add freshly cracked black pepper, and don’t skip the crushed red pepper for some heat — it goes well with zesty lemon!

13. Mediterranean Millet Salad Wraps

These fun green wraps put a bit of spin on classic Mediterranean flavors. Figs, raw pumpkin seeds and millet make up the base while olives, Dijon mustard, capers and olive oil are all part of the sauce. Wrapped in Swiss chard leaves, this millet recipe is an easy winner.

Photo: Mediterranean Millet Salad Wraps / Nutrition Stripped

14. Mexican Millet

Satisfy your Tex-Mex craving with this saucy Mexican millet. I love how well the cumin, cilantro and tomato paste go together. If you’re not vegetarian, add ground grass-fed beef or organic chicken to this dish to make it a bit more filling. Eat it solo or use it in tacos and burritos — you might never go back to plain rice!

Photo: Mexican Millet / The Live-In Kitchen

15. Millet Flax Gluten-Free Bread

Eliminating gluten doesn’t mean saying goodbye to tasty sandwiches or breakfast toast. Bake your own loaf with this easy millet recipe. It doesn’t require fancy ingredients and is super straightforward, ensuring tasty bread even for baking beginners.

16. Peruvian Bean Bowl with Red Pepper Sauce

When your taste buds need a wake-up call, this Peruvian bean bowl is the answer. With coconut milk, lime juice and ripe plantains, this dish has a decidedly summertime feel, no matter what time of year you chow down.

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17. Pumpkin Pie Millet Porridge

This porridge is comfort food all the way. Thanks to pumpkin puree, ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon, it’s packed with flavor to start your day off on a sweet note.

Photo: Pumpkin Pie Millet Porridge / Naturally Ella

18. Savory Multi-Millet Pancakes with Garlic-Herb Cheese Spread

Why limit yourself to just one type of millet? This Indian-inspired recipe uses three varieties along with grated carrot, broccoli and sesame seeds to whip up savory pancakes. Topped with a cottage cheese-based spread, these pancakes should be at the top of your menu plan.

Photo: Savory Multi-Millet Pancakes with Garlic-Herb Cheese Spread / Monsoon Spice

19. Spiced Millet and Chickpea Burgers with Preserved Lemon Yoghurt

Move it, beef — there’s a new burger in town. Chickpeas and millet make up the patties, which are deliciously seasoned with turmeric, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, lime, mint and parsley — and you’ll taste each spice in every bite. The burgers are finished off with a lemon yogurt for a refreshing pop of flavor. Stuff these in pita bread or serve over a salad.

Photo: Spiced Millet and Chickpea Burgers with Preserved Lemon Yoghurt / Delicious Everyday

20. Spinach Millet Egg Bake

This millet recipe takes leftover millet and turns it into a breakfast-worthy dish. Millet and spinach form the base of this egg bake, which gets topped with fresh herbs and Gouda cheese. It’s light, easy and beats boring scrambled eggs!

21. Sweet Potato and Millet Falafel

Falafel fans, get ready for a new version that will knock your socks off. Sweet potatoes are combined with chickpeas and millet in this delicious variation. Stick to pan frying or baking these, and serve with tzatziki sauce or my favorite Hummus Recipe.

22. Sweet Potato Crepes Stuffed with Millet

While these crepes are a bit time-consuming, there’s no doubt that they’re worth it. Sweet potato-based crepes stuffed with millet, veggies and herbs — they’re just too good to resist. Top these with pico de gallo, cheese or the optional jalapeno aioli; you’ll love them!

Photo: Sweet Potato Crepes Stuffed with Millet / Vegan Richa

23. Thai Millet Salad with Peanut-Ginger Dressing

Put a new spin on boring salad with this Thai salad. Shredded cabbage, honey-roasted peanuts, fresh ginger and all-natural peanut butter give this an Asian flair. This is restaurant-quality stuff. The salad is filling enough for a whole meal, but meat-lovers might want to add some chicken for extra protein.

Photo: Thai Millet Salad with Peanut-Ginger Dressing / Eats Well With Others

24. Turmeric and Vegetable Millet

I love this Indian side dish. It complements main course meats well while sneaking in extra helpings of veggies, like carrots, peppers, peas and celery. Don’t like those vegetables? Add in your own favorites! Wonderfully versatile, this side might steal the show.