Kale Farro Salad
Whether you overdid it for the holidays, are trying to get healthier in the new year, or just need some good recipe inspiration to keep on keepin’ on, this kale farro salad recipe is it!
I absolutely love farro – a nutty, hearty grain that’s easy to make, easy to eat, and oh so delicious. I’m always saving farro salad recipes on Pinterest and now I have another one of my own to add to the mix. . .
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KALE FARRO SALAD
For this kale farro salad, mix cooked farro with skillet-cooked kale and onions. Sautéd veggies add that savory, delicious flavor I think all vegetables should have.
The chopped apricots add a hint of sweet – the perfect balance to the savory veggies and feta as well as the tangy lemon vinaigrette). The dried stone fruit also offers a slight twist on the consistency of the dish. Dried fruit is a great addition to grain salads as it adds a softer, slight chewiness as well as a bit of moisture.
You can see much I love to add dried fruit to grains in this warm bulgur salad and my quinoa butternut squash salad! Or you could always add fresh fruit like this farro bowl with figs and goat cheese.
You can also go to town by adding (and switching up) some fresh herbs. Fresh mint immediately comes to mind. I bet basil, tarragon, and dill would be delicious too.
I didn’t understand the power of herbs for a long time, but if you made this dish with a different herb each time, it would seem like a different recipe.
It’s hard to believe that something so “secondary” could really have that much flavor, but you’ll be amazed!
Trader Joe’s 10 Minute Farro
Farro salad recipes are perfect year-round. They can double as a side dish or a main, which makes them incredibly versatile.
You can cook farro from scratch or I oftentimes stockpile the 10-minute farro from Trader Joe’s. Farro isn’t complicated, but this saves a bit of time!
Farro is similar to pasta in that on its own, it doesn’t have a ton of flavor. With a few simple ingredients, however, it’s sublimely delicious…
The feta, lemon, and fruit actually scream summer to me as well, so you can save this one to serve as a cold salad during warm months as well.
I was craving something filling and bright, however, so this will be on our table at least a time or two in the coming weeks.
You can easily eat this farro salad as a side or main dish. To get your protein, add a poached or over-easy egg on top; mix in some cooked, shredded chicken, or serve with your favorite sausage. Then enjoy it leftover for lunch!
Can You Use Other Grains?
So, obviously, the answer is yes. Other options include quinoa, millet, orzo (pasta more than grain), and Israeli couscous (a bigger version – available at TJs too).
With the smaller grains, you may need to add a bit more olive oil, just to keep it from getting too heavy or grain-intensive!
Other Salad Recipes
Love simple but scrumptious salads? Try this simple radicchio salad, swiss chard with ginger (a great side dish), this tasty persimmon salad, and a super simple but protein-packed avocado chickpea salad.Â
Similar to whole grain salad are veggie-packed pasta salads. Try this super greens healthy pasta salad and this lemon & pea pasta salad!
KALE FARRO SALAD RECIPE
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 bunch kale stems removed and finely chopped
- ¼ cup chicken or vegetable stock
- ½ cup chopped dried apricots about 12 apricots
- 2 cups cooked farro
- â…“ cup crumbled feta cheese
Dressing
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
- ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until it begins to soften, 3 minutes. Add the kale. Cook for one minute, stirring often as it wilts. Add the stock. Cook for 30 seconds and then stir in the apricots and cook for 1 more minute. Transfer the contents of the skillet to a large bowl. Add the farro and then the feta.
- Add the dressing ingredients to a small jar or bowl with a secure lid. Shake well for 20 seconds to combine.
- Pour the dressing over the farro salad and toss to coat well. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Now this is my kind of salad! I love kale, so I will be making this with dinner this week!
Yum! I actually just tried farro for the first time earlier this year. Such a wonderful texture. Definitely perfect for pairing with that kale and feta!
perfect for easy lunches or light dinners!
I just love this flavor combo – apricots and feta cheese, such a great idea.
So healthy and delicious! I can eat this for lunch everyday! Love it!
This healthy salad recipe combines so many superfoods plus it just tastes delicious!