What Is the Dry To Cooked Grain Conversions & Seed Yields?
Have you noticed how many different types of grains there are today? So you can imagine how many grain conversions there must be.
I'm learning about new varieties regularly since I've changed my diet because of my heart issues. Eating more whole grains is a satisfying way to ensure I'm getting all my nutrients while cutting calories and filling me up.
Every month, my cooking magazines introduce me to some new exotic grain, or I open a Blue Apron delivery and find some unique grain. I'm guessing these grains are not new to the universe and have been around for a long time, so it's interesting that many of these grains are widespread.
Along with these new exciting grains, there are many common varieties you've heard of but may not be sure how to cook or what a cup of dried grains yields.
Below you'll find my list of familiar and exotic grains, how much water (or stock) you'll need, and how much they will yield. I'll try to add to it when I learn about a new grain.
And be sure to check out my post, 10 Grains That Are Really Good For You.
| Grains - Dry |
Liquid | Yield |
| Amaranth - 1 cup | 2 cups liquid | yields 2½ cups cooked |
| Arborio Rice - 1 cup | 4 cups liquid | yields 3 cups cooked |
| Barley - 1 cup | 3 cups liquid | yields 3½ cups cooked |
| Brown Rice - 1 cup | 2½ cups liquid | yields 3 cups cooked |
| Buckwheat - 1 cup | 2 cups liquid | yields 4 cups cooked |
| Bulgur - 1 cup | 2 cups liquid | yields 3 cups cooked |
| Chia - ⅓ cup | 2 cups water | yields 17 ounces gel |
| Cornmeal - 1 cup | 4 cups liquid | yields 2-½ cups cooked |
| Couscous, whole wheat - 1 cup | 1¼ cups liquid | yields 4 cups cooked |
| Farro - 1 cup | 2½ cups liquid | yields 3 cups cooked |
| Freekeh - 1 cup | 2½ cups liquid | yields 3 cups cooked |
| Grits - 1 cup | 4 cups liquid | yields 4 cups cooked |
| Hominy - 1 cup | 5 cups liquid | yields 3 cups cooked |
| Kamut - cup | 3 cups liquid | yields 3½ cups cooked |
| Millet - 1 cup | 2½ cups liquid | yields 4 cups cooked |
| Oat Groat - 1 cup | 3 cups liquid | yields 3½ cups cooked |
| Oats, bran - 1 cup | 2½ cups liquid | yields 2 cups cooked |
| Polenta - 1 cup | 4 cups liquid | yields 2½ cups cooked |
| Quinoa - 1 cup | 2 cups liquid | yields 3 cups cooked |
| Rice, brown basmati - 1 cup | 2 ½ cups liquid | yields 3 cups cooked |
| Rice, brown, long grain - 1 cup | 2 ½ cups liquid | yields 3 cups cooked |
| Rice, brown, short grain - 1 cup | 2 ½ cups liquid | yields 3 cups cooked |
| Rice, brown, quick - 1 cup | 1 ¼ cup liquid | yields 2 cups cooked |
| Rye, berries - 1 cup | 3 -4 cups liquid | yields 3 cups cooked |
| Rye, flakes - 1 cup | 2 cups liquid | yields 3 cups cooked |
| Sorghum - 1 cup | 3 cups liquid | yields 3-½ cups cooked |
| Spelt Berries - 1 cup | 4 cups liquid | yields 3 cups cooked |
| Teff - 1 cup | 3 cups liquid | yields 2-½ cups cooked |
| Wheat Berries - 1 cup | 4 cups liquid | yields 2 cups cooked |
| Wheat, cracked - 1 cup | 2 cups liquid | yields 2 ¼ cups cooked |
Other Important Ingredient Conversions
| BEAN CONVERSIONS | INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS |
| HERB CONVERSIONS | MUSHROOM CONVERSIONS |
| GRAIN CONVERSIONS | PASTA/RICE CONVERSIONS |
| INGREDIENT CONVERSIONS | TOMATO CONVERSIONS |
Dammy
Hello thanks for the information, just a question tho, when you say liquid are you still referring to water? As in water to cook the bulgur. I need to be clear on this.Thank you
The Reluctant Gourmet
Danny, the reason I say liquid and not water is because besides water, some people like to use chicken, beef or vegetarian stock while others use a combination 50/50 juice/water combination. It really depends on your personal preferences.
Linda
I have 1/4 cup barley, how much liquid would I use with that?
G. Stephen Jones
1/4 of 3 cups = 3/4 cup of liquid.
Nancy
What Is the Dry To Cooked Grain Yield
I love this chart! just what I was looking for. We have recently retired and now I trying to create a collection of healthy recipes to become my repeatable menu for my us. I hope to find more info as I peruse your blog.
Thanks
G. Stephen Jones
You are very welcome and enjoy retirement.
Maine Man
Just what I was looking for. Thanks so much!
Maria
Very useful table I use grains quite a lot but to remember each ratio and yield not easy. Just used your chart to make a barley, mushroom and vegetable ‘risotto’ Lovely cold day lunch. Thank you I think I’ll frame this and hang in my kitchen.
Wilder Chairs
How is it possible that I look up "raw to cooked grits ratio" and come up with a site that doesn't say "grits" anywhere in it? Why is this so difficult to find online?
G. Stephen Jones
Wilder, thanks for pointing this out. Your answer is there now.
Leisureguy
I was disappointed not to find these grains included:
Oat Groats (unprocessed whole-grain oats)
Kamut (you do include Spelt—why not Kamut/Khorasan?)
Rye
I assume the Barley you list is Hulled Barley (unprocessed whole grain) and not Pearled Barley or Pot Barley, but it would be really nice if you were explicit.
I'm pleased that you include things like Amaranth, Buckwheat, Chia, and Quinoa, but since none of these is a grain, perhaps you should change the title to be something like "Grains and Seeds."
G. Stephen Jones
All good suggestions and will be added. Thanks Leisureguy.
Brian
So Helpful!
Alana
Your chart is a godsend, thank you thank you! Working with a scientific, gram-gy-gram doctor I need to know if whole grains’ yield holds for cracked or cereal whole grain as well!
Mellany Wardrop
This has everything I was looking for- thanks for the convenient chart -cheers!
Sue Campbell
Well, aren't you a wonderful person? Yes, indeed! We just got a Zojirushi rice cooker and Instant Pot Zest rice/grain cooker. I ordered a cookbook for each machine and have watched too many videos about grains! No one provided as much info as you...and that includes the cookbooks! Thank you. When you see happy people holding hands and enjoying their healthy life, know that you could be the reason why!
G. Stephen Jones
thank you Sue.
Hazel Hanford
Thank you so much! It’s so aggravating that on the label of every wheat, grain & pasta the weight says “dry”. Like I’m going to cook just a ¼ cup of it. I’m on a diet and I need to know how many calories are in my food, but who knew until now. We would guess double but I was always nervous about it because of the high calories in some of them. Now we know. Sigh of relief!
Again, thank you very much!
G. Stephen Jones
You are welcom Hazel.
Justine
Thank you! This is the most useful thing I have found on the internet in years!
G. Stephen Jones
You are very welcome and thanks for reaching out.
Lorra Browne
Can these grains be cooked in a rice cooker? Especially wondering about Farro (my new favorite) and barley.
G. Stephen Jones
Yes, these grains can be cooked in a rice cooker.
Brenda McElhany
Can you tell me how much liquid in bulgar to equal 2 cups of cooked, all info I have found online is for 3 cups and it seems like I end up wasting some. Thanks!
G. Stephen Jones
Hi Brenda, not exact but to get to 2 cups, it's about 70% of each so .7 cups of rice and 1.4 cups of water should yield around 2 cups of Bulgar rice. If it were me, I would make the 3 cups of rice, use 2 cups for the recipe and save the other cup for lunch or better yet, a nice breakfast bowl with a poached egg on top.
AF
Very useful website! I’m sharing it with friends who like to cook.