Turkey Red Wheat: The Heirloom Grain Bringing Flavor and Heritage Back to the Table

by Lisa Balcom

If you’re passionate about baking with heritage grains or supporting sustainable farming practices, it’s time to get familiar with Turkey Red wheat—a robust heirloom variety with deep roots in American agricultural history and a place of honor in the Slow Food Ark of Taste.

What Is Turkey Red Wheat?

Turkey Red wheat is a historic variety of hard red winter wheat first brought to the U.S. in the 1870s by Mennonite farmers escaping persecution in Ukraine. This wheat thrived on the Great Plains, especially in Kansas, and quickly became the foundation of the region’s breadbasket. Its hearty nature and cold resistance made it a reliable staple crop for generations.

But Turkey Red isn’t just any wheat. Unlike modern dwarf varieties, it grows tall—contributing organic matter back into the soil, which is crucial for maintaining healthy, living soils. This makes it a natural fit for regenerative and organic farming practices, which prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and sustainability.

Why Turkey Red Wheat Is Making a Comeback

Turkey Red wheat is enjoying a revival thanks to its exceptional flavor, nutritional value, and connection to heritage farming. It’s richer, nuttier, and more complex than conventional wheat—making it a favorite for artisan bakers and home cooks alike.

Its high protein content and excellent gluten structure make it especially suited for:

Sourdough bread
Rustic boules
Flatbreads
Fresh pasta
Whole grain pastries

If you mill your own flour at home or shop from a local stone mill, Turkey Red is a must-try grain for both flavor and performance.

Turkey Red and the Ark of Taste

Turkey Red wheat has earned a spot in the Ark of Taste, a global initiative by the Slow Food Foundation that catalogs endangered heritage foods with exceptional cultural and culinary value. Inclusion in the Ark signals that Turkey Red is not only delicious but also at risk of disappearing due to industrial agriculture and modern wheat breeding.

By cooking and baking with Turkey Red wheat, you help preserve a living piece of agricultural history—and support the farmers and millers dedicated to keeping this variety alive.

Where to Find Turkey Red Wheat

Look for Turkey Red flour or whole wheat berries at:

Local organic grain mills
Farmers markets
CSAs with grain shares
Online retailers specializing in heirloom grains

Make sure to seek out farms using organic or regenerative practices, as these methods honor the spirit in which Turkey Red was originally grown.

Bring Heritage Wheat Into Your Kitchen

Using Turkey Red wheat isn’t just about baking better bread—it’s about reconnecting with food in a meaningful way. Every loaf, pasta dish, or pancake you make with this grain carries a story of resilience, tradition, and flavor that’s hard to beat.

Start simple with a basic whole wheat sourdough loaf or swap Turkey Red flour into your favorite pancake recipe. Need a little help getting started? Check out some of my favorite seasonal recipes and baking tips on www.farowathome.com/blog (and be sure to tag me when you share your Turkey Red bakes!).