Farro Salad Recipe

Farro Salad Recipe

Cooking and trying out new recipes can be a fun way to explore the world of food, and this farro salad recipe is no exception. The flavors in this dish are perfect for a light summer meal, with nutty-tasting hulled farro mixed with fresh vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers - as well as flavorful herbs such as mint, parsley, and basil.


We first discovered this salad several summers ago while on vacation in Rome, Italy

Each bite transports us back to our days spent dishing up delicious Italian cuisine against the stunning backdrop of the Mediterranean sea! Whether you’re looking for lunch inspiration or an easy side dish that will wow your dinner guests – mission accomplished! Keep reading to learn how to make this delicious farro salad at home. We created this Farro Salad Recipe as a base for our Honey Roasted Cherry Tomato recipe. You'll find this salad tasty, satisfying, and good for you. This recipe is not only simple and delicious but also inspired by nature.

sliced and seasoned cheery tomatoes on an oiled baking sheet

Make this salad uniquely your own:

  • Add olives or chopped green pepper and cucumber; think greek or Mediterranean salad with less lettuce for a satisfying meal.
  • Depending on the season, add chopped dill, thyme, cilantro, parsley, or a combination of herbs for extra flavor.
  • Serve on a bed of sauteed kale with olive oil, garlic, lemon, salt, and pepper.
  • Toss in a little fresh-picked corn (off the cob)
  • Top with mozzarella cheese or parmesan cheese shavings

By the way, what is Farro?

To be honest, I wasn't sure either. Farro is an ancient grain similar to bulgur wheat. It looks like wheat berries and has a texture similar to rice. In the same way, you can grind it into semolina flour to make pizza dough (think spelt flour).

What is Farro? I wasn’t sure either. It’s an ancient grain similar to bulgur wheat, it looks more like wheat berries and has a texture similar to rice. You can grind it into seminola flour to make your own pizza dough (think spelt flour). While it contains gluten protein, it is an ancient grain, without the many modern strains of wheat that mess with digestion. Farro contains more fiber than other popular grains like rice, quinoa, buckwheat or barley and may offer more positive benefits when it comes to digestion and cardiovascular health. It’s also exceptionally high in protein for a grain and supplies more than 10 different vitamins and minerals. Farro is very high in fiber, contains B vitamins, zinc, iron and protein.
bowl of farro

Farro is wheat that is lower in gluten than modern wheat.

An ancient grain, Farro contains gluten protein. However, gluten is low enough that people with sensitivity are not impacted. Gluten sensitivities (the ones that mess with digestion) are usually associated with modern strains of wheat.

Farro contains more fiber than other popular grains like rice, quinoa, buckwheat, or barley. It may offer more positive benefits when it comes to digestion and cardiovascular health.

This ancient grain is exceptionally high in protein for a grain and supplies more than ten different vitamins and minerals. It is also very high in fiber, containing B vitamins, zinc, and iron. Therefore, if you have gluten sensitivity, it's worth exploring this grain further to see if it can fit within your diet.

Farro salad on a blue and white towel with cherry tomatoes around the bowl

How to Make Farro Salad

First, you'll need to gather all of your ingredients. You need Farro, vegetable stock, sea salt, olive oil, parsley, and lemons. Pick up some tomatoes, green peppers, sweet onion, feta cheese, and salad greens. to make this dish more lively.

Step One: Make the Farro

Pour Farro into a fine-mesh sieve, rinse with cold water a few times, and drain. Then, transfer the farro into a medium-sized pot with a lid and add the stock. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes until softened but chewy. At this point, if there is liquid remaining in the pot, drain it off.

Step Two: Make the Dressing

Combine all dressing ingredients into a small bowl, whisk, and pour on top of cooked Farro. Add chopped parsley on top as a garnish.

Step Three: Add more toppings

Imagine serving this on top of a greek salad or serving it alongside grilled veggies. I served this farro on top of sautéed kale with white beans, and it was a satisfying meal. The possibilities are endless.

This Farro Salad Recipe is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed on its own or used as a base for other recipes. The salad is simple to make and packed with nutrients, making it a healthy option for any meal.

What's more, the recipe is inspired by nature, so you can feel good about eating it, knowing that it came from a sustainable source. So what are you waiting for? Give this recipe a try, and enjoy the taste of nature in every bite.

Want more Mediterranean Diet Inspiration?

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Kara holding a hive frame in doorway of cabin

About the Author

Kara waxes about the bees, creates and tests recipes with her friend Joyce, and does her best to share what she’s learning about the bees, honey, ingredients we use and more. Read more about Kara