Best Ever Farro Salad Recipe

There are a lot of grain salad recipes out there, but this Farro Salad is truly the best ever. It’s a nutritional powerhouse that’s great for meal prep or a potluck, but most importantly, the vibrant Mediterranean flavors make it absolutely craveable.

This Greek Farro Salad recipe will have everybody coming back for another scoop!

With a 4-year-old in the house, it’s not every day that I put something (that’s not mac and cheese) on the dinner table that EVERY family member loves.

Unexpectedly, this Farro Salad recipe received that reception! With it’s vibrant Mediterranean flavors that balance salty, sweet, briny and acidic, something about it just makes everybody want to take another bite. And another.

My daughter even asked for the leftovers to be packed in her lunch for school the next day!

What is Farro?

Farro is a nutritious ancient grain that comes from the wheat family. It has been cultivated for thousands of years in the Mediterranean and Middle East.

It’s had a resurgence of popularity in recent years because it tastes great and has numerous health benefits like being high in fiber and lower in gluten than other varieties of wheat.

What does farro taste like?

Farro has a nutty flavor with a hint of sweetness. It tastes kind of like a cross between barley and brown rice. Most importantly, it provides a somewhat blank canvas for a variety of flavors to shine.

What is Farro Salad?

Farro salad is a combination of cooked farro grains and an array of fresh ingredients. Farro is a blank slate for making a salad with just about anything you want! Here, we’re making one with Mediterranean flair.

 Farro Salad Recipe ingredients

• farro – the star of the dish! It provides a hearty, chewy texture and nutty flavor of the farro.
• cucumber – adds freshness and a juicy crunch.
• feta cheese – adds a creamy, salty contrast to the earthy flavor.
• red onion – always pairs well with cucumber and feta.
• walnuts – add a nice crunch and enhance the nuttiness of the farro.
• Kalamata olives – add a briny, savory flavor.
• sun-dried tomatoes – adds a concentrated pop of umami and sweetness to the best farro salad.
• caper – helps season the salad with a salty kick.
• garlic – the aromatic base flavor of the dressing.
• parsley – adds an herbaceous note to the dressing.
• lemon juice – adds bright acidity and fresh flavor.
• red wine vinegar – enhances the tanginess of the dressing.
• honey – balances the acidity with a touch of sweetness.
• dried oregano – adds more Mediterranean flair!
• salt and pepper – essential to season any salad to perfection.
• olive oil – the backbone of the dressing.

Greek Farro Salad substitutions and additions

• USE A DIFFERENT GRAIN – While this recipe was developed with farro in mind, you can use another type of grain. Barley, bulgur, spelt or brown rice all work here.
• SWAP THE HERBS – If you don’t have fresh parsley, try mint or basil for a different herbal twist.
• MAKE IT VEGAN – Omit the feta or use a vegan feta substitute, and use agave in place of honey to make this Mediterranean farro salad vegan.

How to make Farro Salad with Feta

1. Cook the farro according to the directions on its package.
2. Make the dressing by whisking together the garlic, parsley, lemon juice, vinegar, honey, oregano, salt and pepper, and then whisking in the olive oil.
3. Add the cooked farro to the dressing and toss until well combined. Refrigerate the dressed farro for at least 2 hours so it can chill and absorb the flavors of the dressing.
4. Right before you serve the salad, add the rest of the ingredients – cucumber, feta, onion, walnuts, sun-dried tomatoes and capers. Toss until everything is well combined and serve!

How to cook Farro

Each variety and brand of farro has slightly different cooking directions, so you want to be sure to follow the directions on the package you have.

In general, you’ll be combining the farro with water and bringing it to a boil on the stove, then reducing to a simmer and cooking until the farro is tender.

Some brands call for cooking 20 to 30 minutes, while others call for cooking 10 minutes and then letting the farro stand, covered, for 5 minutes off the heat to finish cooking.

No matter what, you’ll want to be sure to drain any excess water from the farro once it is cooked, before you add the farro to the dressing.

How to serve Mediterranean Farro Salad

This salad is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or seafood, or as a side to your favorite Mediterranean dishes. Some of my favorite things to pair this with include:

• Salmon with Dill Sauce
• Greek Chicken Meatballs
• Lamb Lollipops

How to store Farro Salad with Feta

Store any leftovers of this best ever farro salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. The flavors of the salad will continue to meld as it sits, making it even more delicious.

Farro Salad Recipe FAQs