Mediterranean Farro Salad (Printable version)

Nutty farro tossed with fresh vegetables, olives, and feta in a bright lemon dressing

# What you need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup farro (uncooked)
02 - 3 cups water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Vegetables & Herbs

04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
06 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
07 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped

→ Olives & Cheese

09 - 1/3 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
10 - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled

→ Dressing

11 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
12 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
13 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1 garlic clove, minced
15 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
16 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# How to Make It:

01 - Rinse the farro under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine farro, water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until farro is tender but still chewy. Drain any excess water and let cool.
02 - In a large bowl, combine the cooled farro, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, mint, olives, and feta cheese.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
04 - Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Chill for at least 15 minutes before serving for best flavor.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The chewy farro creates this incredible texture that keeps you coming back for just one more bite
  • It actually gets better as it sits, making it perfect for meal prep or picnics
02 -
  • Letting the farro cool completely before mixing prevents the vegetables from wilting and the feta from melting
  • The salad needs at least 15 minutes in the refrigerator to let the dressing penetrate the grains properly
03 -
  • Soak the chopped red onion in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow its bite if you are sensitive to raw onion
  • Toast the farro in a dry pan for 3 minutes before cooking to add a deep, nutty flavor
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