This Trader Joe’s Farro recipe is a chewy and nutty recipe, which is made with pearled farro and a zesty lemon herb dressing. It’s the perfect side dish, ready in about 45 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Farro Recipe Ingredients
For the Farro:
- 1 cup uncooked Trader Joe’s 10 Minute Farro (or other pearled/semi-pearled farro)
- Water and salt, for cooking
For the Lemon Herb Dressing:
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 garlic clove, grated
- ¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
- Red pepper flakes, optional
How To Make Trader Joe’s Farro
- Cook the Farro: Fill a medium pot halfway with water and bring it to a boil. Add the farro, reduce the heat, and let it simmer until the farro is tender and chewy, but still has a slight al dente bite. This will take about 10-20 minutes for pearled farro like the Trader Joe’s brand.
- Cool the Farro: This is a crucial step. Drain the cooked farro thoroughly, then spread it out in a single layer on a large plate or a sheet pan. Let it cool and dry for about 20 minutes. This stops it from continuing to steam and becoming mushy.
- Make the Dressing: While the farro cools, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, thyme, grated garlic, mustard, salt, and several grinds of pepper in the bottom of a large mixing bowl.
- Combine and Serve: Add the cooled and dried farro to the bowl with the dressing and toss to coat. Stir in the fresh parsley and a pinch of red pepper flakes, if you’re using them. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
Recipe Tips
- How to prevent mushy farro? The secret is to not overcook it and to cool it properly. Cook it like pasta, tasting a grain to check for doneness. It should be tender but still have a pleasant chew. Spreading it on a baking sheet to cool stops the cooking process and prevents it from steaming itself into a mushy texture.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely! Farro is a perfect grain for meal prep. You can cook the farro and make the dressing in advance. Store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Toss them together just before serving.
- What’s the difference between types of farro? There are three main types: whole, semi-pearled, and pearled. Pearled farro (like Trader Joe’s 10 Minute Farro) has the outer bran removed and cooks the fastest. Whole farro has the bran intact, is more nutritious, and takes the longest to cook (up to 40 minutes).
- Can I add other ingredients? Yes, this is a fantastic base salad. It’s delicious with added crumbled feta or goat cheese, toasted nuts (like almonds or pecans), chopped sun-dried tomatoes, or a can of rinsed chickpeas for extra protein.
What To Serve With Farro
This versatile lemon herb farro is a wonderful side dish that pairs well with many main courses. Serve it with:
- Grilled Chicken, Steak, or Salmon
- Roasted vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or bell peppers
- As the base for a hearty grain bowl, topped with a protein and extra veggies
How To Store Farro
- Refrigerate: Store the cooked, dressed farro in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. It’s a great make-ahead lunch!
- Freeze: For longer storage, freeze the plain, cooked farro. Spread it in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer it to a freezer-safe bag. It will keep for up to 3 months.
Trader Joe’s Farro Recipe Nutrition Facts
- Serving: ½ cup
- Calories: 240 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Protein: 8g
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Sodium: 650mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Farro is an ancient whole grain with a wonderfully nutty flavor and a distinctively satisfying, chewy texture. It’s a healthy grain that is rich in fiber, protein, and nutrients.
No, farro is a type of wheat, so it is not gluten-free.
Yes. If you need a substitute, this lemon herb dressing would also be delicious with quinoa (for a gluten-free option), barley, or a couscous salad. Just adjust the cooking time and method for the specific grain you choose.
Try More Recipes:
- Trader Joe’s Lentil Wrap Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Matcha Latte Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Trader Joe’s Farro Recipe
Course: SaladsCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings5
minutes20
minutes2404
kcalA simple, healthy, and flavorful side dish featuring chewy farro tossed in a bright and zesty lemon herb vinaigrette.
Ingredients
1 cup uncooked farro (like Trader Joe’s 10 Minute Farro)
Dressing: 1 tbsp olive oil, ½ tbsp fresh lemon juice, ½ tbsp fresh thyme, 1 grated garlic clove, ¼ tsp Dijon mustard, ½ tsp sea salt, pepper.
½ cup chopped fresh parsley
Directions
- Cook the farro in a pot of boiling salted water until tender but still chewy (about 10-20 minutes for pearled farro).
- Drain the farro well and spread it on a large plate or baking sheet to cool and dry for 20 minutes.
- In the bottom of a large serving bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, thyme, garlic, mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Add the cooled farro to the bowl and toss to coat it in the dressing. Stir in the fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
- The most important tip for this recipe is to spread the cooked farro on a baking sheet to cool; this prevents it from steaming and becoming mushy.
- This is a perfect recipe for meal prep. The cooked farro and the dressing can be stored separately in the fridge for days.
- For the best, brightest flavor, use freshly squeezed lemon juice and fresh herbs in the dressing.
- Feel free to customize this salad by adding crumbled feta cheese, toasted nuts, or other chopped vegetables.
