21 Fabulous Ways to Prepare Farro

It's easy to fall in love with the chewy, nutty flavor of this wholesome grain, but you may be hesitant to cook it at home due to its reputation for being tricky to prepare. This couldn't be further from the truth. The hardest part may be knowing which type of farro you’ve got — it comes in whole grain, semi-pearled (some of the bran is removed) and pearled (all of the bran is removed) — and this is not indicated on all packages. All types have slightly different cooking times and absorb different amounts of liquid, so the best route to perfectly cooked farro is to boil it like pasta and dress and season it after it's out of the pot. Toasting the farro in a skillet before boiling enhances its nutty flavor even more.

Toss together an easy salad of chopped tomatoes, hearty farro, snipped fresh chives and Italian parsley for a satisfying lunch or first course for a picnic or party.

This is the quintessential summer salad — the one that everyone at the cookout lines up for. Cantaloupe, cucumbers and fresh mint are the refreshing base. Sweet cherry tomatoes add bright notes (and color!) and farro lends heft and nutty taste. Salty feta and a tart red wine vinaigrette round out the flavors in this easy make-ahead salad.

This French-onion style soup ditches the croutons for hearty farro.

Combine cooked farro with raisins, pistachios and parsley for a wholesome side that’s comparable to your favorite rice dish.

You'll find farro with the whole grains in your grocery store or health food market (near the quinoa) but if you can't find it you can use barley in this simple, packed-with-summer-flavors salad.

Farro is an Italian variety of wheat with grains that turn tender and toothsome with cooking. It's often added to soups and risotto but works as a terrific substitute for rice in this easy stir-fry.

Ina says, “"This is a recipe from California chef Maria Sinskey. The flavors and textures are amazing."

This shrimp, watercress and farro salad will leave you feel totally satisfied but not overstuffed.

Farro lends a hearty bite to Giada’s two-cheese baked dish.

Using farro in place of rice makes this a hearty, no-fuss risotto.

Farro, an Italian whole grain similar in texture to barley or wheat berries, lends its hearty bite to Giada’s chilled Mediterranean pasta-like salad.

Inspired by kasha varnishkes, a classic Jewish dish, this dish replaces buckwheat with farro and bow ties with orecchiette. Toss the cooked pasta and grains in a brown butter sauce for rich, simple flavor.

Whether you want an easy dinner or a satisfying lunch, this grain bowl will do the trick. Sweet pineapple salsa makes the perfect pairing with grilled pork tenderloin while tender farro ties the whole thing together.

Get your whole-grain fix with a salad made from nutty, chewy farro. You can find farro in the bulk bins at your grocery or health-food store, or with the other packaged whole grains.

This casserole is super flavorful, thanks to the turkey kielbasa, and packed with fiber at 15 grams per serving (more than half the suggested daily intake!). Leftovers can be frozen for up to 1 month.

Make the most of your seasonal produce by tossing it with farro, salt and a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Farro is toasted until nutty before being boiled until plump and toothsome and then tossed asparagus and tomatoes and a simple dressing of lemon and olive oil.

For a fall-flavored dinner that’s perfect for weeknights, combine farro with kale, roasted squash, rotisserie chicken and a mustard vinaigrette.

Looking for an elegant main course? Simmer farro in lobster stock until tender and creamy, then incorporate Parmesan, crab, peas and lemon zest. Fresh herbs add the finishing touch (and a beautiful pop of color!).