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Hearty Farro Salad with Crispy Shallots and Honey Dijon Dressing

A versatile farro salad featuring nutty whole grains, crispy homemade shallots, fresh herbs, and a tangy honey Dijon dressing.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Grain & Pasta Salads
Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Calories: 488
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup whole-grain farro
  • 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • 1 large shallot very thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp. honey
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 green apple chopped
  • 2 cups arugula lightly packed
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan shaved
  • 1/4 cup toasted pecans coarsely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil finely chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh parsley finely chopped

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan
  • Small saucepan
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Slotted spoon

Method
 

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Make dressing by whisking reserved shallot oil with vinegar, mustard, honey, salt and pepper.
  4. Add crispy shallots, apple, arugula, Parmesan, pecans, basil, and parsley to the cooled farro. Drizzle with dressing and toss to combine.

Notes

Make ahead:
  • 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.
Storage:
  • Dressed salad will keep well for 3 days refrigerated.
  • For longer storage, keep components separate until ready to serve.
Variations:
  • Substitute quinoa for gluten-free option, use seasonal fruits instead of apple, or add protein like grilled chicken for a complete meal.