Description
Discover the perfect balance of nutty farro, crisp vegetables, and tangy dressing in this refreshing Italian Farro Salad. Ideal for summer picnics, meal prep, or a hearty side.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup dry farro
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 English cucumber, diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved (optional)
For the dressing:
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the farro under cold water.
- In a medium saucepan, combine farro with 3 cups of water and a pinch of salt.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes until tender but still chewy.
- Drain any excess water and let cool completely.
- While the farro is cooking, chop all the vegetables as indicated in the ingredients list.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, and dried oregano.
- Season the dressing with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled farro, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, basil, and parsley.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Add crumbled feta cheese and kalamata olives (if using) and toss lightly.
- Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving.
Notes
Toast the farro in a dry pan before cooking for extra nuttiness. For a vegan version, omit feta or use a plant-based alternative. Add grilled chicken or chickpeas to make it a complete meal. Keep dressing separate until serving if prepping ahead.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 15mg