This farro salad with avocado, radishes and feta is a fresh and delicious salad that works well as a side or as a full meal. Full of protein, fiber and healthy fats to nourish your body and give you energy to tackle the rest of your day!
When I want a salad that’s going to be not only healthy but hearty and filling, I often reach for farro as the base. Then add on some healthy fats and proteins like nuts, seeds, tofu or avocados. A little feta or goat cheese for extra flavour and then top it off with a homemade dressing. My go-to dressing is this honey lemon vinaigrette that pretty much goes well with any salad. Trust me, you can’t go wrong with this basic vinaigrette!
What is farro?
Farro is an ancient grain from Rome that’s been a staple in countries like Italy for decades. Now, its gaining traction in North America for those looking for healthy whole grains. With its chewy, nutty texture, farro is perfect for making dishes like salads, grain bowls, soups and risotto (using farro instead of rice).
How do you cook farro?
You can cook farro like how you cook pasta in water. Once its cooked, you drain it in a colander. This makes it more simple than cooking rice in a pot where you need to make sure you have the correct ratio of water to rice.
For every cup of farro, boil approximately 2 quarts of water with a teaspoon of salt. Once the water is boiling, add the farro and turn it down to a simmer. Cook for 30 minutes until the farro is soft. Pour the farro in a colander to drain excess water. You can also use chicken stock instead of water or add some herbs like bay leaves, thyme or rosemary for extra flavour.
Health benefits of farro
- Whole grain with complex carbohydrates that break down slowly into glucose, which means it’ll keep you feeling fuller longer and give you a steady source of energy
- Packed with nutrients such as protein, zinc, B vitamins and magnesium
- Contains fiber to help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease
- Good source of antioxidants and polyphenols which may help protect against diabetes, stroke and some cancers
Hope you enjoy this farro salad with avocado, radishes and feta!
For more light and healthy meals, check out:
- Smoked Salmon Avocado Sushi Rice Bowl
- Roasted Sweet Potato and Kale Salad with Vegan Green Goddess Dressing
- Vegetarian Lasagna with Spinach, Pumpkin and Tofu “Ricotta”
- Falafel Pita Sandwiches with a Tahini Sriracha Mayo
Farro Salad with Avocado, Radishes and Feta
Ingredients
For the honey lemon dressing
- 1 shallot finely diced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the salad
- 1 cup farro
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup radishes sliced
- 2 avocados
- Pumpkin seeds 1/4 cup
- Roasted cashews 1/2 cup
- Feta cheese 1/2 cup
Instructions
For the dressing
- Add all the ingredients to a bowl and whisk to combine. Or pour in a tightly sealed container and shake well.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking. If you like it sweeter then add more honey. If you prefer a more tart dressing then add more lemon juice.
For the salad
- Boil 2 quarts of water, add farro and salt and turn it down to a simmer. Cook for 30 minutes until farro is soft. Pour in a colander to drain excess water. Rinse with cold water to cool the farro down faster.
- Slice the radishes and add it to the dressing to marinate. This removes the sharpness from the radishes.
- In a large salad bowl, add all the ingredients. Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine.
