Farro Salad

This farro salad is a simple, hearty, whole grain salad made with nutty farro, apples and grapes.  Quick and easy to make – filling and flavorful.

I went out to lunch recently and had a really great farro salad.  It was so good I knew that I wanted to try and recreate it to share with you. This farro salad is made with nutty farro, crisp apples and sweet grapes  – it’s got a lot of flavor going on with just a few ingredients.

Apples and grapes are in season right now and their sweet, crisp flavor works well with the nutty farro and balances out the salty feta and peppery arugula.  Everything is tossed together with a bright, flavorful vinaigrette.

How to make this farro salad with apples and grapes:

• Cook the farro according to the package instructions.  When done, let cool on a baking sheet for a few minutes.
• Prep all the rest of your ingredients while the farro is cooking.
• Whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients.

• Add the arugula and farro to a bowl.  Top with apples, grapes, feta and walnuts.
• Add the dressing to the salad and toss to combine.

Tips and questions about making this farro salad:

What is farro? 

• If you haven’t tried farro before, farro is a whole grain that has a nutty flavor, chewy texture and is very filling. 
• Farro is packed with fiber, protein and vitamins and is low in fat.
• Farro is versatile – you can make a big batch of farro and store in the fridge for a few days to add to salads, soups or grain bowls.  

How do I cook farro? 

• Farro cooking time can vary – so follow the instructions on the package. 
• To add more flavor to farro, add half a bouillon cube to the water as it cooks.  
• Start checking the farro about 5 minutes before it’s supposed to be done – it should be soft and chewy but not mushy. 
• If there’s water/broth left over in the pan when the farro is done, drain the farro in a colander. 
• Let the farro cool slightly on a baking sheet before adding it to the salad.

Where can I find farro?  Farro used to be difficult to find but is now sold in most supermarkets and can even be found at your local Target.  It is usually located in either the grain/rice aisle or the natural foods aisle.

Can I refrigerate any left overs?  This salad does not keep well in the fridge – the apples will oxidize (turn color).  If you want to make extra for leftovers – I would suggest only adding the apple in before serving.  So make a full batch but only add the apple in before you are going to eat the salad.

I can’t find farro – what can I use instead?  If you can’t find farro at your local market then quinoa would make a good alternative.

Can I make this ahead of time?  I would suggest just cooking the farro ahead of time and having it on hand in the fridge.  Then you can quickly prep the rest of the ingredients and have the salad ready in less than ten minutes.

What kind of grapes and apples should I use?  Any grape (green or red) will do – just be sure to buy seedless grapes.  Any crisp apple will work in this salad – I used a gala apple.

Looking for more salads?  Then try one of these:

• Quinoa, Kale, Cranberry and Pecan Salad – A great fall salad!
• Quinoa Salad with Kale and Chickpeas – A protein packed salad that’s easy to make.
• Peach, Feta and Pecan Salad – Another great salad that uses fruit.

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If you make this recipe and enjoy it, please come back and leave a comment and rating.  I’d love to hear from you!