This Instant Pot farro is a quick and easy way to cook this tasty whole grain. It makes a great side dish or a perfect addition to a grain bowl or salad. In this post, I'll provide simple step-by-step instructions and tips to help you make it perfectly every time!
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Why This Recipe Works
Farro is typically cooked in boiling water until tender. Depending on the variety this can take anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes and requires occasional stirring for the best texture.
Using the Instant Pot makes this an easy, no-fuss dish that is done in around 15 minutes and is packed with nutrition.
What is Farro?
Farro is an ancient grain that has been used for thousands of years. It comes from the grains of 3 specific varieties of hulled wheat: spelt, emmer, and einkorn. Farro is a dense, chewy grain with a nutty flavor and it is loaded with fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Farro is sold in three ways:
- Whole - with the bran intact.
- Semi-pearled - where a portion of the bran is removed.
- Pearled - where the whole bran is removed.
The whole variety is the most nutritious but takes the longest to cook. Traditional cooking methods often call for an overnight soak for whole farro, similar to dried beans.
Semi-pearled and pearled varieties cook quicker, and this is what I recommend in this recipe.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Rinse the farro under cold water in a fine mesh strainer. Add the farro, water, and salt to your Instant Pot, then seal and lock the lid. Set to manual high pressure for 8 minutes.
- After pressure cooking, allow a natural release for 8 minutes, then carefully vent any remaining pressure before removing the lid.
- Drain any water that remains in the pot, then fluff with a fork before serving.
Tips
- Know what variety of farro you have. Cooking time will vary for each type. This recipe will work for pearled or semi-pearled farro. Whole farro will take a bit longer to cook so, up the cooking time to 10 minutes if using whole farro.
- Consider how you plan to use the farro and adjust the cooking time. If you want to serve farro and yogurt for a breakfast bowl, a softer farro may be preferable so you can add another minute to the cooking time. For a firmer "al dente" farro, reduce the time to 7 minutes.
How to Serve Farro
Farro is great as a simple side dish, but it is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of ways.
- Main dish - These hearty grains can also be featured in a main dish. Mushrooms go wonderfully with farro and is a classic pairing. Try sautéing ½ cup of diced onion, 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms, and 2 cloves of minced garlic in 2 tablespoons of butter until browned, around 7-8 minutes. Combine the mushrooms with cooked farro and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Top with grated parmesan cheese and serve.
- Salads - Farro makes a great addition to add some hearty nutrition to salads such as my roasted butternut squash and kale salad.
- Grain bowls and Buddah Bowls - Brown rice and quinoa are staples of grain bowls, but for a little more flavor and texture try adding farro. For a simple version add farro to a bowl along with your favorite diced veggies and protein, if desired. Toss with a sauce or a tangy vinaigrette and serve.
- Soups and Stews - Farro is also an excellent addition to soups and stews. The chewy texture holds up well and is often used in Italian soups such as Tuscan Farro Soup.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store your farro in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
For large portions heat the farro in a pot over medium-low heat with a splash of water until warmed through. For smaller portions, heat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until warmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Farro can have a slightly bitter taste from the powdery, dusty coating that results from the processing. Rinsing the grains before cooking will help to remove this and result in a better flavor.
The most common ratio for cooking farro is 3 cups of water for every 1 cup of farro.
More Quick and Easy Side Dishes
- Mexican Street Corn Salad
- Garlic Butter Green Beans
- Crispy Herb Roasted Potatoes
- Instant Pot Southern Style Green Beans
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Farro
Ingredients
- 1 cup farro, pearled or semi-pearled, see notes for whole farro
- 3 cups water
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Rinse the farro under cold water in a fine mesh strainer. Add the farro, water, and salt to your Instant Pot, then seal and lock the lid. Set to manual high pressure for 8 minutes.
- After cooking allow a natural pressure release for 8 minutes then carefully vent any remaining pressure.
- Open the lid and drain any remaining water then fluff the farro with a fork before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
* All nutrition information we provide are estimates based on third party calculators. We encourage you to calculate these on your own for accurate results.
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