Hearty Farro Salad with Crispy Shallots and Honey Dijon Dressing
Farro salad combines the chewy texture of whole-grain farro with crispy homemade shallot chips, peppery arugula, and sweet apple to create a satisfying meal that’s both nutritious and bursting with flavor. This ancient grain provides a perfect canvas for the tangy honey Dijon dressing, which ties all the components together beautifully. Whether you’re looking for a fall salad idea or a hearty winter salad, this recipe delivers exceptional taste while showcasing seasonal ingredients.
What Makes This Farro Salad Special
What is a shallot, you might ask? This recipe highlights the delicate, sweet flavor of shallots by transforming them into crispy golden chips that add incredible texture and depth. Combined with fresh herbs, crunchy pecans, and the pleasant tartness of apple cider vinegar, this farro salad creates a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. The peppery notes from arugula balance perfectly with the nutty farro and sweet honey in the dressing, creating a well-rounded dish that works equally well as a main course or a substantial side.
Farro Salad Ingredients
To prepare this delicious farro salad with crispy shallots, gather these fresh ingredients:
- 1 cup whole-grain farro
- 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 bay leaf
- Kosher salt
- 1 large shallot, very thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons honey
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 green apple, chopped
- 2 cups lightly packed arugula
- 1/2 cup shaved Parmesan
- 1/4 cup coarsely chopped toasted pecans
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
Understanding The Key Ingredients
The star of this recipe is farro, an ancient whole grain with a pleasantly chewy texture and nutty flavor. What is arugula? It’s a peppery leafy green that adds a wonderful contrast to the hearty farro. The crispy shallots contribute an umami richness, while the honey Dijon dressing brings everything together with its perfect balance of sweet and tangy notes.
How to Make Farro Salad
Creating this farro salad involves a few simple steps that yield an incredibly flavorful dish:
In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine farro, vegetable broth, bay leaf, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the farro is tender and all liquid is absorbed, approximately 30 minutes. Transfer the cooked farro to a large serving bowl and allow it to cool completely.
While the farro cooks, prepare the crispy shallots. In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the thinly sliced shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to bubble, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the shallots turn golden and crisp, 15-20 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the crispy shallots to a paper towel-lined plate and season with salt. Reserve the flavorful shallot-infused oil.
Make the dressing by transferring the cooled shallot oil to a medium bowl. Add the apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey, then whisk until thoroughly combined. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Assemble the salad by adding the crispy shallots, chopped green apple, arugula, shaved Parmesan, toasted pecans, basil, and parsley to the bowl with the cooled farro. Drizzle the honey Dijon dressing over the ingredients and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
The Perfect Farro Cooking Method
Learning how to cook farro properly is essential for this salad. The grain should be tender but still maintain a pleasant chew. Cooking it in vegetable broth rather than water infuses additional flavor directly into the grain, creating a more complex base for your salad.
Tips & Variations for the Best Farro Salad
This versatile farro salad recipe can be customized in numerous ways:
Seasonal Adaptations
- For a spring mix salad variation, replace arugula with a blend of tender spring greens and add strawberries instead of apple.
- Create a festive Christmas salad by incorporating dried cranberries and using red apple instead of green.
- Transform it into a vibrant summer dish by adding cherry tomatoes and cucumber.
Ingredient Substitutions
- No shallots on hand? Red onion works as an alternative, though with a slightly stronger flavor.
- Looking for a substitute for apple cider vinegar? White wine vinegar or fresh lemon juice can work well.
- For a different green, try butter lettuce salad instead of arugula for a milder flavor profile.
- Experiment with different nuts – walnuts or almonds provide excellent alternatives to pecans.
Make-Ahead Options
- Cook the farro and make the dressing up to 3 days ahead and store separately in the refrigerator.
- Crispy shallots can be made 1-2 days in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
- For the freshest results, add the arugula just before serving to prevent wilting.
Salad Dressings That Pair Well With This Farro Salad
While the honey Dijon dressing in this recipe perfectly complements the nutty farro, here are some other excellent dressing options:
Low Sodium Salad Dressing – Combine 3 tablespoons olive oil with 1 tablespoon lemon juice, a minced garlic clove, and fresh herbs. This bright, zesty option reduces sodium while enhancing the natural flavors of the ingredients.
Lemon Basil Vinaigrette – Whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon chopped basil, and a touch of honey. The citrusy notes work wonderfully with the earthy farro.
Creamy Feta Dressing – Blend 1/4 cup crumbled feta with 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and a splash of lemon juice. This tangy, creamy option adds richness to the hearty grain salad.
Balsamic Vinaigrette – Mix 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar with 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper. The deep, sweet notes of balsamic complement the nuttiness of farro beautifully.
What to Serve With This Salad
This hearty farro salad works wonderfully as both a main dish and a side. Here are some perfect pairing options:
Main Course Pairings
- Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken – The bright, herbaceous flavors complement the nutty farro.
- Garlic Butter Grilled Shrimp – Seafood adds a light protein element that balances the hearty grain.
- Pan Seared Steak with Butter Sauce – For a more substantial meal, the rich steak creates a satisfying contrast.
- Creamy Baked Caesar Chicken – The creamy, savory chicken pairs beautifully with the textural elements of the salad.
Side Dish Companions
- Honey Butter Roasted Carrots – Their sweetness enhances the honey notes in the dressing.
- Garlic Parmesan Green Beans – A simple vegetable side that complements without overwhelming.
- Balsamic Brussels Sprouts – The tangy glaze works well with the farro salad’s flavors.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips for Farro Salad
This farro salad holds up exceptionally well, making it perfect for meal prep:
Store the dressed salad (without arugula) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to develop, making it even more delicious the next day. When ready to serve, add fresh arugula and additional crispy shallots if desired.
For longer storage or meal prep, keep the components separate: store the cooked farro, dressing, and crispy shallots separately. The cooked farro will last up to 5 days refrigerated, while the dressing stays fresh for about 1 week. Assemble just before serving for the best texture and flavor.
The crispy fried shallots should be stored at room temperature in an airtight container to maintain their crunch. If they soften, you can quickly recrisp them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes.
FAQs About Farro Salad
What is farro and how does it compare to other grains?
Farro is an ancient wheat grain with a nutty flavor and chewy texture. It contains more protein than rice and is rich in fiber, magnesium, and vitamins. Compared to quinoa, farro has a heartier texture and nuttier taste, making it excellent for salads that need to stand up to bold dressings.
Can I make this farro salad gluten-free?
Since farro contains gluten, you’ll need to substitute it with a gluten-free grain. Good alternatives include quinoa, brown rice, or sorghum. Each will provide a different texture, but they’ll work well with the other ingredients in this recipe.
How can I turn this farro salad into a complete meal?
To transform this into a more substantial meal, add protein like grilled chicken, roasted chickpeas, or crumbled goat cheese. You could also increase the portion size and serve it with a slice of crusty bread on the side.
Conclusion: Why This Farro Salad Deserves a Place at Your Table
A Versatile, Nutritious Dish for Every Season
This farro salad represents the perfect balance of nutrition, texture, and flavor. The chewy farro, crispy shallots, crunchy pecans, and tender arugula create a symphony of textures, while the honey Dijon dressing ties everything together beautifully. Whether served as a satisfying lunch, a hearty side, or a potluck contribution, this salad is sure to impress with its depth of flavor and visual appeal.
Try this recipe soon and discover why farro salad is becoming increasingly popular among home cooks looking for nutritious, delicious meals that satisfy. Once you master the basic recipe, feel free to experiment with seasonal variations to keep this dish in your regular rotation year-round!
Other Salads to Try
Hearty Farro Salad with Crispy Shallots and Honey Dijon Dressing
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cook farro in vegetable broth with bay leaf and salt until tender and liquid is absorbed, about 30 minutes. Transfer to serving bowl to cool.
- Meanwhile, crisp the shallots by cooking in olive oil over medium heat until golden and crispy, about 20 minutes total. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate with slotted spoon.
- Make dressing by whisking reserved shallot oil with vinegar, mustard, honey, salt and pepper.
- Add crispy shallots, apple, arugula, Parmesan, pecans, basil, and parsley to the cooled farro. Drizzle with dressing and toss to combine.
Notes
- Cook farro and prepare dressing up to 3 days in advance.
- Store crispy shallots at room temperature in an airtight container.
- For best results, add arugula just before serving.
- Dressed salad will keep well for 3 days refrigerated.
- For longer storage, keep components separate until ready to serve.
- Substitute quinoa for gluten-free option, use seasonal fruits instead of apple, or add protein like grilled chicken for a complete meal.
