Sunday, June 7, 2026

Farro Salad With Arugula, Apples & Parmesan

This farro salad is a tasty, high-protein mixture of historic grains, crunchy walnuts, apple slices, raisins, and peppery arugula with shaved parmesan. Tossed with my sweet-tangy maple French dressing, it’s one among my favourite hearty salads.

Farro salad with arugula, apples, parmesan, walnuts, and maple vinaigrette served in a bowl.

Simple Farro Salad With Arugula, Apples & Parmesan

My straightforward farro salad recipe combines cooked grains with recent greens and apples, much like my kale quinoa salad. I’ve added shaved parm, chopped nuts, and raisins, and swapped kale with arugula for a brilliant, peppery punch. To spherical all of it out, a easy maple Dijon dressing is added in, and I can’t wait so that you can strive it!

As soon as cooked, farro has a texture much like couscous, despite the fact that it isn’t pasta. In the event you’re in search of a recent but filling, sweet-savory, crunchy salad to make for tonight’s dinner, this weekend’s cookout, or subsequent week’s lunches, that is your man.

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A bowl of farro salad with arugula, apples, parmesan, walnuts, and maple vinaigrette.A bowl of farro salad with arugula, apples, parmesan, walnuts, and maple vinaigrette.

What Is Farro?

Farro is a nutty, chewy historic grain, much like barley, quinoa, or bulgur. It’s well-liked in Mediterranean cooking, and one among my favourite swaps for rice or pasta in recipes.

Strive farro as an alternative of pasta on this orzo salad, or farro as an alternative of rice the following time you make risotto. It’s hearty and satisfying, which makes this farro salad splendid for adapting to meal prep.

What’s Wanted For This Farro Salad Recipe

Right here’s a take a look at the substances on this fast grain salad recipe. Bear in mind to scroll to the recipe card for the entire ingredient quantities.

Farro salad ingredients with text labels overlaying each ingredient.Farro salad ingredients with text labels overlaying each ingredient.
  • Dry Farro – You’ll discover complete, semi-pearled, and pearled farro in shops. Entire grains require soaking and longer cooking occasions, whereas pearled farro is polished and quick-cooking. I take advantage of complete farro for this recipe.
  • Arugula – Just about any sturdy salad greens will work right here. Spinach, kale, and mesclun are good options.
  • Apple – Thinly sliced, or it can save you time by grating the apple utilizing the big holes of a field grater. My favourite apples for salads are candy, crisp varieties like Honeycrisp, Pink Girl, Fuji, and Granny Smith.
  • Raisins – You may skip these or use chopped dates or dried cranberries if most well-liked.
  • Exhausting Cheese – Good for shaving or grating, like Parmesan or Pecorino Romano. Different good choices are crumbled feta or tangy goat cheese.
  • Walnuts – Or pecans, chopped.

For the Dressing

  • Olive Oil – I like to make use of a good-quality further virgin olive oil when making do-it-yourself salad dressings. You may style the distinction!
  • Cider Vinegar – You possibly can use white balsamic vinegar, white or crimson wine vinegar, or lemon juice as an alternative.
  • Maple Syrup – Be happy to make use of honey.
  • Dijon Mustard – I don’t advocate substituting yellow mustard, however you could possibly strive brown or complete grain.

Cooking Farro for Salad

Earlier than cooking, you’ll rinse the farro beneath chilly water. Then, cook dinner the farro in a pot of salted, boiling water till it’s fork-tender. The cooking time relies on the kind of farro you’re utilizing:

  • Pearled (polished to take away the bran): 10-20 minutes
  • Semi-Pearled (partially polished): 20-Half-hour
  • Entire (bran and germ intact): Nearer to 40 minutes

After cooking, drain the farro effectively and unfold it out on a baking sheet to assist it cool extra rapidly. The farro must be utterly cooled earlier than you add it to the arugula, or the leaves will wilt.

Dressing Choices for Farro Salad

I like how the maple Dijon French dressing enhances the nuttiness of the farro and the sweetness of the apples on this salad. However in case you’d like to alter it up, strive basic Italian dressing, or any of my do-it-yourself salad dressing recipes:

Overhead view of farro salad with arugula, apples, parmesan, walnuts, and maple vinaigrette served in a bowl.Farro Salad With Arugula, Apples & Parmesan

Often Requested Questions

Is farro gluten-free?

No. Farro does include gluten and isn’t appropriate for gluten-free diets. If wanted, substitute quinoa or chickpeas as an alternative.

Can I make this forward of time?

Sure! Each time I make this salad forward, I’ll miss the arugula and apples till it’s time to serve. All the pieces else, together with the dressing, will get tossed collectively in a meal prep container and stashed within the fridge.

How can I preserve the apples from browning?

To decelerate the browning course of, toss the apple slices with a bit lemon juice earlier than including them to the salad.

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  • Cook dinner the farro. Rinse the farro. Fill a medium pot with water. Salt the water to style and convey it to a boil. As soon as the water boils, stir within the farro. Cut back the warmth and simmer till tender. Cooking time will rely upon the kind of farro you are utilizing: 10-20 minutes for pearled, 20-Half-hour for semi-pearled, and 40 minutes for complete farro. I used complete farro for this salad. As soon as cooked, drain the farro and unfold it out on a big baking sheet to chill.

  • Make the dressing. In the meantime, whisk collectively the dressing substances in a small bowl and put aside.

  • Assemble the salad. Add the cooled farro to a bowl, and toss it with the apple slices, raisins, shaved cheese, nuts, and arugula. Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Toss the salad to coat it with the dressing. Style and modify the seasonings earlier than serving.

  • Cooking relies on the kind of farro: 10-20 minutes for pearled, 20-30 for semi-pearled, and 40 for complete farro. Or simply observe the directions on the bundle.
  • Make certain the farro is cooled earlier than combining it with the recent arugula, or the arugula will wilt.
  • You need to use dried cranberries or chopped dates as an alternative of raisins.

Energy: 523kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 14g | Fats: 28g | Saturated Fats: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 5g | Monounsaturated Fats: 15g | Ldl cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 452mg | Potassium: 408mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 497IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 267mg | Iron: 2mg

Dietary information is an estimate and offered as courtesy. Values could differ in line with the substances and instruments used. Please use your most well-liked dietary calculator for extra detailed information.

The best way to Make This Farro Salad

Making a farro salad is as straightforward as combining cooked farro in a bowl with the apples, raisins, shaved cheese, walnuts, and greens. Whisk the dressing substances, and pour that on high. Toss, serve, and luxuriate in!

Farro salad with arugula, apples, parmesan, walnuts, and maple vinaigrette served in a bowl.Farro salad with arugula, apples, parmesan, walnuts, and maple vinaigrette served in a bowl.

Storage Ideas

Don’t add the dressing till proper earlier than serving, so the arugula doesn’t develop into soggy. When you’ve got leftover salad, retailer it in an hermetic container within the fridge for 1-2 days.

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