Easy Ina Garten Farro Salad Recipe: Fresh & Flavorful Delight

Farro salads burst with Mediterranean-inspired goodness that transforms ordinary grains into culinary magic.

Ancient grains like farro pack incredible nutritional power and textural complexity for modern meals.

Healthy eating becomes an adventure when wholesome ingredients dance together on your plate.

Nutty, chewy farro provides a robust base that welcomes complementary flavors with open arms.

Each forkful promises a delightful blend of earthy undertones and bright, fresh elements.

Home cooks love how versatile and simple these grain-based dishes can be for quick weeknight dinners.

Professional chefs appreciate farro ability to elevate humble ingredients into restaurant-worthy presentations.

Prepare to fall in love with a salad that satisfies both hunger and culinary curiosity:

What Makes Ina Garten’s Farro Salad a Healthy, Nutritious Delight

• Elevate Your Salad Game: This farro salad transforms a simple grain into a gourmet experience with layers of vibrant ingredients and restaurant-quality presentation.
• Quick and Nutritious Weeknight Wonder: Packed with protein, fresh herbs, and colorful vegetables, this dish comes together in less than an hour, making it perfect for busy home cooks seeking a delicious and healthy meal.
• Texture Party in Every Bite: The combination of soft, chewy farro, crunchy pistachios, crisp radishes, and delicate arugula creates a symphony of textures that keeps every forkful exciting and interesting.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Flavor Explosion: Bright lemon, fresh herbs, roasted nuts, and Parmesan cheese combine to deliver a taste profile that transports you to a sunny Mediterranean coastline with each mouthful.

Ingredients for Ina Garten’s Farro Salad

• Farro: A hearty, nutty whole grain that forms the base of the salad, with a chewy texture and rich flavor.
• Apple Cider: Adds a subtle sweetness and helps cook the farro with additional depth of flavor.
• Bay Leaves: Provides aromatic seasoning during the cooking process, easily removed after cooking.

• Olive Oil: Creates a smooth, rich base for the dressing with a classic Mediterranean touch.
• Lemon Juice: Brings bright, tangy acidity to balance the dish and enhance overall flavor.
• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that amplify the natural flavors of all ingredients.
• Flaked Sea Salt: A finishing touch that adds a delicate crunch and enhances the salad's final taste.

• Parsley, Mint: Fresh herbs that add bright, clean flavor and vibrant green color to the salad.
• Tomatoes: Provides juicy, sweet freshness and a pop of color.
• Radishes: Adds a peppery crunch and crisp texture to the salad.
• Baby Arugula: Introduces a peppery, slightly bitter green with delicate leaves.

• Roasted Pistachios: Offers a nutty, crunchy element with a rich, toasted flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, umami finishing touch with its sharp, granular texture.

How to Prepare Ina Garten’s Farro Salad

Step 1: Prepare the Farro Base

• Farro
• Water
• Apple cider
• 2 bay leaves
• Kosher salt

Combine all ingredients in a medium pot.

Step 2: Cook the Farro

Bring mixture to a boil, then lower heat to simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Check occasionally and add extra water if farro absorbs liquid before becoming tender.

Step 3: Drain and Cool Farro

Drain cooked farro and transfer to a large serving bowl. Remove bay leaves.

Step 4: Create Tangy Dressing

• Olive oil
• Fresh lemon juice
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Step 5: Marinate Warm Farro

Pour dressing over warm farro and toss thoroughly. Allow to rest for 15 minutes for flavors to develop.

Step 6: Add Crunchy Elements

• Roasted pistachios
• Chopped parsley
• Chopped mint
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Thinly sliced radishes

Step 7: Incorporate Greens and Cheese

• Baby arugula
• Shaved Parmesan cheese

Step 8: Final Touch and Serve

Sprinkle with flaked sea salt to taste. Serve immediately at room temperature for maximum flavor.

Pro Tips for Ina Garten’s Farro Salad

• Boost Flavor Depth: Crumble feta cheese over the top to introduce a salty, creamy element that balances the earthy farro and bright herbs.
• Customize Texture Variety: Mix in some crispy roasted vegetables like butternut squash or bell peppers to add unexpected crunch and caramelized sweetness.
• Enhance Herbal Complexity: Chop fresh herbs just before mixing to release maximum essential oils and create more vibrant, intense flavor profiles.
• Elevate Protein Options: Replace chickpeas with grilled shrimp or seared salmon for a luxurious seafood twist that feels elegant and light.
• Optimize Nut Preparation: Lightly crush pistachios instead of leaving them whole, allowing their nutty essence to distribute more evenly throughout the salad.

How to Store Ina Garten’s Farro Salad

• Quick Chill Method: Transfer the entire salad to a glass or ceramic container with a tight-sealing lid. Seal completely to lock in freshness and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.
• Ingredient Separation Strategy: Keep fresh herbs and crisp vegetables separate from the dressed farro base when storing. Store delicate ingredients in small sealed containers to maintain their crunch and vibrant color until ready to combine just before serving.
• Reviving Technique: If the salad becomes slightly dry after refrigeration, refresh with a quick drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Gently toss to restore moisture and brighten flavors, making the salad taste just as delicious as when first prepared.

Creative Twists on Ina Garten’s Farro Salad

• Mediterranean Fusion: Replace pistachios with toasted pine nuts, swap tomatoes for roasted red peppers, and add crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Incorporate black beans, grilled corn, diced jalapeños, and cilantro instead of mint. Finish with a chipotle-lime dressing for extra kick.
• Seasonal Harvest Edition: Use roasted butternut squash cubes, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, and swap arugula for baby spinach. Drizzle with a maple-mustard vinaigrette for autumn warmth.
• Protein Power Upgrade: Mix in grilled chicken or seared shrimp, add edamame for extra protein, and include chopped scallions for a more substantial meal option.

Ina Garten’s Farro Salad: A Wholesome, Flavorful Bowl

Ina Garten’s farro salad delivers Mediterranean magic with each delectable forkful.

Garden-fresh ingredients dance alongside hearty grains in perfect harmony.

Mediterranean flavors whisper stories of sun-drenched landscapes and culinary passion.

Nutrient-rich components create a symphony of textures and tastes that delight sophisticated palates.

Seasonal produce elevates this simple recipe into a gourmet experience worth savoring.

Passionate cooks and curious epicureans: share this Mediterranean masterpiece across social platforms, spark conversations in comment sections, and inspire fellow culinary adventurers with your gastronomic discoveries.

Ina Garten Farro Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s farro salad blends Mediterranean flavors with fresh ingredients, creating a wholesome and delightful dish. Roasted vegetables, herbs, and a zesty lemon dressing make this salad a perfect companion for summer lunches or elegant gatherings you’ll want to savor.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (6 ounces/170 grams) pearled farro
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) fresh apple cider
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) baby arugula
• 1 cup (150 grams) cherry or grape tomatoes, halved through the stem

Fresh Herbs and Vegetables:

• 1 cup (40 grams) roughly chopped fresh parsley
• 1 cup (20 grams) roughly chopped fresh mint leaves
• ⅓ cup (40 grams) thinly sliced radishes (2 to 3 radishes)

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 2 bay leaves
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) good olive oil
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ½ cup (60 grams) roasted, salted pistachios, whole or chopped
• ½ cup (50 grams) shaved Italian Parmesan cheese
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Flaked sea salt, such as Maldon

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Instructions

1. Prepare a medium pot by combining farro, apple cider, bay leaves, 2 teaspoons (10 grams) of kosher salt, and 2 cups (480 milliliters) of water.
2. Bring the liquid to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for approximately 30 minutes, monitoring the liquid level and adding additional water if the farro absorbs all liquid before becoming tender.
3. Once farro reaches a soft consistency, remove from heat and drain thoroughly, discarding the bay leaves.
4. Transfer the cooked farro into a spacious serving bowl.
5. Create a zesty dressing by whisking together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon (5 grams) of kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) of freshly ground black pepper in a small measuring cup.
6. Pour the dressing over the warm farro and gently toss to ensure even coating, allowing the mixture to rest for 15 minutes and cool to room temperature.
7. Incorporate roasted pistachios, chopped fresh parsley, mint leaves, diced tomatoes, and thinly sliced radishes into the farro, mixing with a delicate hand.
8. Gently fold in baby arugula and sprinkle shaved Parmesan cheese over the salad, maintaining the ingredients’ integrity.
9. Finish the dish by garnishing with a light dusting of flaked sea salt according to personal preference, and serve immediately to preserve the salad’s vibrant textures.

Notes

• Enhance depth by letting the salad rest for 30 minutes after mixing, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
• Customize your creation by swapping ingredients based on seasonal availability or personal preferences.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days, keeping the farro’s texture and taste intact.
• Gently toss ingredients to prevent bruising delicate herbs and maintain the salad’s vibrant appearance.
• Drain farro thoroughly to prevent excess moisture from diluting the dressing’s rich flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 420 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg