A step by step, simple method on How To Cook Farro! Plus, all of my favorite ways to use this wholesome grain!
Our January health series continues!
If you have yet to cook with farro, I highly encourage you to give the hearty grain a try. This nutritious whole grain makes a great addition to salads, soups, bowls, and so much more! It makes for an especially easy substitute for any of your favorite rice dishes and its chewy texture and nutty flavor cannot be beat! So today I am going to share with you a simple method to cook farro and my favorite ways to incorporate it into our meals.
Let's dig in!
What Is Farro?
Farro is an ancient whole grain that originated in Mesopotamia, but more recently gained worldwide popularity. It is an extremely nutritious grain. Packed with fiber, protein, magnesium, zinc, B vitamins, and antioxidants. Get this - Just one cup on farro can provide 20% of our daily recommended fiber intake!
It is sold dry and prepared by cooking in water much like rice. Although it is more nutritious than rice, including brown rice. Most love farro for its unique chewy texture and nutty flavor. It is so easy to add this whole grain to your diet because it can be eaten just like you would eat other grains such as rice, quinoa, or oats. Take my word for it... This grain is so good that I can't help but eat it straight out of the pot!
Different Types of Farro and How To Use Them
When shopping for farro you may run into several different kinds:
- Pearled farro - This is the most widely available and quickest farro to cook as it only takes about 15 minutes. The downside is that it has less nutrients and less flavor due to the husk and bran being removed.
- Semi-pearled farro - You guessed it. This kind of farro has no husk and only part of the bran removed. Meaning that it has a stronger flavor than pearled farro and requires a slightly longer cooking time of 25 minutes.
- Whole farro - This kind of farro has both the husk and all of its bran intact. Meaning it has the most nutrients and the most flavor. I have found that it is more difficult to find whole farro in local grocery stores, but sometimes I get lucky in the health food or grains section. It takes the longest cook time at 35 minutes.
I typically buy my farro at Whole Foods or Thrive Market, but I've also seen it on Amazon too!
How To Cook Farro
Cooking farro is actually super easy! Just follow these easy steps:
- Boil - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Simmer - Once boiling, add the farro and lower heat to a simmer. Simmer until farro is tender and chewy. See the above section for cook times based on different types of farro.
- Drain - When finished cooking, drain the remaining water from farro using a mesh strainer.
- Fluff - Fluff the farro with a fork and you're ready to serve or use it in your favorite recipes!
Tips On How To Cook Farro
- Know what kind of farro you have. As mentioned earlier, grocery stores may carry 3 types of farro: pearled, semi-pearled, and whole. The cooking times range from 15 minutes to 35 minutes, so make sure you know what kind you bought before setting your cook time. You don't want too mushy or too hard farro! If you have no idea what kind you have, just keep testing it and remove from heat when it is tender.
- Batch cook farro. This is one of my favorite grains to have on hand because it stores so well. One big batch of farro made on Sunday can be used for so many meals throughout the week!
- Season after cooking. I personally love farro all by itself, but if you like lots of flavor the best way to add it is by seasoning after draining. I love tossing farro in lemon juice or my favorite dressings like apple cider vinegar or cilantro lime!
Favorite Ways to Use Farro
There are endless ways to use farro! Some of my favorites include:
- As a side dish with lemon juice, sea salt, and pepper
- As a topping on a veggie salad
- In a vegetarian chili or soup
- As a base for veggie bowls
- In stuffed squash or peppers
- In a breakfast bowl replacing steel cut oats
More Healthy Recipes You'll Love!
- How To Cook Lentils
- The BEST Lentil Salad
- Autumn Vegetable Minestrone
- Easy Vegetarian Chili
- Roasted Vegetable Salad
- Oven Roasted Vegetables
- Sweet Potato & Black Bean Bowls
- Savory Herb Carrots
How To Cook Farro
A step by step, simple method on how to cook farro! Plus, all of my favorite ways to use this wholesome grain!
Ingredients
- Pearled farro - simmer 15 minutes
- Semi-pearled farro - simmer 25 minutes
- Whole farro - simmer 35 minutes
Instructions
- Boil - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Simmer - Once boiling, add the farro and lower heat to a simmer. Simmer until farro is tender and chewy. See the above section for cook times based on different types of farro.
- Drain - When finished cooking, drain the remaining water from farro using a mesh strainer.
- Fluff - Fluff the farro with a fork and you're ready to serve or use it in your favorite recipes!
Recommended Products
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I can’t wait to hear what all you make with farro! Be sure to leave an amazing review in the comments below or tag #goingforgrace on social!
