You seriously need to make this incredibly delicious Farro Summer Salad. It's healthy, simple to prepare and delicious.
I don't do this often, but I promise, you will LOVE this salad. It might sound weird with blueberries and vegetables, but it's AMAZING! Between the fresh basil and the raspberry vinaigrette, it's the perfect combination of flavors. Oh and it's super healthy too. I'm telling you, MAKE THIS!
I love the crunchy, nutty texture of farro. It is a whole grain and is packed with protein and fiber. It is made from wheat so it is not gluten-free. If you are looking for a salad that doesn't contain gluten, maybe try substituting faro with brown rice, amaranth or quinoa.
I don't even usually like feta cheese and I loved it in this salad. Oh and it's also so pretty so it's perfect to bring to barbecues! By the way, I won't be offended if you don't feel like making the dressing (even though it's ridiculously easy) and want to use a bottle dressing. Just make sure you read the ingredients and look for hidden sugars and preservatives. Look for one that's preferably organic and has a small amount of ingredients.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces farro cooked
- 1 pint blueberries
- 1 avocado chopped
- 1 pint grape tomatoes sliced in half (I used yellow)
- ½ cup feta cheese crumbled
- FOR THE DRESSING:
- ¾ cup raspberries
- ⅓ cup grape seed oil
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Mix the cooked faro with all of the ingredients for the salad.
- To prepare the dressing, add raspberries, honey, vinegar and garlic to food processor or blender.
- Slowly add oil and salt and stir or shake well.
- Add dressing to salad and mix well. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. (I like to leave a little extra dressing to toss into salad right before serving).
Susan
I love farro but I have a box of the real kind (not quick cooking at home) and I'm too lazy to take out the hour + time it takes to make it. I'm so bad but this salad looks so good, I need to get past that!
lauren.kelly
I know Trader Joe's sells the 10 minute kind Susan! 🙂
Angela {Mind Over Batter}
I HEART farro with the near intensity of the sun. There, I said it. I am, however, a salad idiot. Never know what to put in 'em. This salad is so balanced and beautiful. I'm just drooling!
lauren.kelly
LOL I love it that much too Angela!! I hope you like it! 🙂
Rebecca {foodie with family}
This salad is screaming my name! I love every single ingredient!
lauren.kelly
Thanks Rebecca!!
Jenn @ Deliciously Sprinkled
This is the perfect summer salad! It looks delicious, your making me hungry for lunch! 🙂
lauren.kelly
Thank you Jenn!
Meseidy
You know farro is one of those things I have always wanted to try and make and I have yet to get around to it. Now I want to try it even more! Love the chunks of feta!
lauren.kelly
Thank you Meseidy! 🙂
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen
I have never had farro before. I don't even think I've seen it on a menu!
lauren.kelly
Try it Val! It's a wonderful grain! 🙂
Thalia @ butter and brioche
ive never used farro in a salad before, definitely something i need to try. thanks for sharing the great recipe!
lauren.kelly
I hope you like it Thalia! 🙂
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes
Hi!! 🙂 Yes, this dressing does sound so easy - why buy it when it's this simple to make? Homemade always tastes better anyways. Love this salad for my farro that's been sitting around for months hoping I'm going to cook with it 😉
lauren.kelly
Thanks Ash! I hope you like it!
Brenda@SugarFreeMom
I love faro and the dressing sounds delicious, I must get my hands on some grape seed oil!
lauren.kelly
I think you would LOVE this Brenda!! XO
The Food Hunter
I will have to try this dressing...I've never used grape seed oil
lauren.kelly
I love grape seed oil, it's a great way to mix things up 🙂
Shaina
YUM. I love combining fruits and vegetables in salad. I discovered farro a few years back at (don't laugh) CHEESECAKE FACTORY LOL! They had it on their "Skinny menu" and I ordered it since it was something new and I've been in love with it every since.
lauren.kelly
I'd never laugh at you Shaina! XO
Deborah
I had a summer salad recently at a restaurant in Old Montreal - farro, feta, sliced pork loin, berries, watermelon, yellow grape tomatoes and celery w/a kiwi dressing - best thing I have eaten in a log time and as you would say Lauren, I was in my happy place!
lauren.kelly
That sounds amazing Deborah!! 🙂 🙂
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
I bet we would love farro and I bet that we would really love this farro salad! It's so pretty!
lauren.kelly
Thank you Angie!!
Amanda @The Kitcheneer
This salad has so much balance i it! The sweetness of the blueberries with the savory of the farro and feta! Perfect! Could I substitute the farro for another whole grain like quinoa or couscous? I have a ton of quinoa that I need to use!
lauren.kelly
Thank you Amanda! Yes you could definitely use quinoa. I hope you like it!!
Simply Gourmet
Looks great!
lauren.kelly
Thank you Sherron! XO
kellie @ The Suburban Soapbox
I bought farro recently and didn't do anything with it. Thanks for sharing this, now I can actually use it!
lauren.kelly
It's super easy Kellie! I hope you like it 🙂