Farro Salad With Fennel, Oranges, and Almonds (Print Version)

Nutty farro meets crisp fennel and juicy oranges with toasted almonds in a bright citrus dressing.

# Ingredient List:

→ Grain

01 - 1 cup uncooked whole grain farro
02 - 3 cups water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

→ Produce

04 - 1 medium fennel bulb, thinly sliced (reserve fronds for garnish)
05 - 2 large oranges, peeled and segmented
06 - 2 cups arugula or baby spinach
07 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

→ Nuts

08 - 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted

→ Dressing

09 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
11 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
12 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
15 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# How-To Steps:

01 - Rinse the farro under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine farro, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until farro is tender but still chewy. Drain any excess water and let cool.
02 - While the farro cooks, toast the sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, combine cooled farro, sliced fennel, orange segments, arugula (or spinach), and parsley.
04 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, orange juice, lemon juice, honey (or maple syrup), Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.
05 - Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
06 - Add toasted almonds and toss lightly. Garnish with reserved fennel fronds. Serve immediately or chilled.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • The combination of warm, nutty farro and crisp, refreshing vegetables creates the most satisfying texture contrast
  • Everything can be prepared ahead of time, making it perfect for busy weekdays or stress-free entertaining
02 -
  • Farro can vary wildly in cooking time depending on whether it is whole, semi-pearled, or pearled, so always check the package instructions and taste for doneness
  • The salad actually tastes better after sitting for an hour or two, as the flavors meld together and the farro absorbs more of the dressing
03 -
  • When segmenting your oranges, do it over a bowl to catch all the precious juices, then add those juices directly to your dressing
  • Spread the hot cooked farro on a baking sheet to cool it down quickly while maintaining that perfect texture
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