Farro Salad with Arugula

Farro Salad with arugula combines nutty farro with the peppery kick of arugula and a creamy burst of blue cheese. They are tossed together with a perfect homemade balsamic dressing for a simple side that could stand as a main course salad.

You may have noticed that in recent years, grain bowls made with whole grains and fresh ingredients are becoming popular again. That is because whole grains have a lot of nutrients that everyone should be eating.

This farro salad recipe with arugula uses a different grain from traditional salads that is packed with fiber and nutrients. It is a nice change because the fiber helps you feel full longer, and the nutrients are essential to a healthy diet.

It mixes in arugula which is one of my favorite leafy greens even though it is a little delicate. The bright peppery taste goes perfectly with the hearty grain and creamy feta cheese or blue cheese.

And the orange sections add a brightness to this salad that is so refreshing. It is finished with toasted hazelnuts and a beautiful balsamic dressing. 

Whether you are making a small bowl of delicious salad for yourself or you need a large salad bowl to serve to your friends, this farro salad recipe with arugula is one of my favorite healthy salads.

What is Farro?

Whole farro is one of my favorite grains. It is an ancient grain with a chewy texture and nutty flavor. Packed with nutrients and a great plant-based protein option, it is a great base for salads, and is even more nutritious than a grain salad made from brown rice.

What Ingredients are in Farro Salad with Arugula?

• Baby Arugula: Adds a peppery kick.
• Cooked Farro: A hearty, nutrient-rich ancient grain that cooks in hot water.
• Orange Sections: gives the salad a bright, fruity flavor.
• Red Onion: Adds a crisp bite through the salad.
• Toasted Hazelnuts: adds a nutty crunch when toasted in high heat.
• Salmeville Amish Blue Cheese: adds a creamy, indulgent touch.
• Balsamic Vinegar: gives a perfect acid taste to cut through the blue cheese in the dish
• Garlic Salt: adds flavor and seasoning throughout the dressing
• Coconut Sugar: just a touch of sugar balances the acidity of the vinegar and improves the depth of flavor
• Grapeseed Oil: the base of the dressing, you can also use olive oil if you do not have grapeseed oil

Pro Tip: You can use any citrus you like. Just be sure to section it and remove the membranes before mixing into the arugula and farro salad.

How to Make Farro Salad with Arugula:

1. Cook farro according to package instructions, then cool and refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Toast hazelnuts in a dry medium saucepan; let cool, then chop.
3. Toss salad ingredients together in a large bowl.
4. Whisk dressing ingredients until well blended and ready to use.

Pro Tips: While you can make this recipe with warm farro, I prefer my Mediterranean farro salad to be served chilled or at room temperature. This works best if you cook the farro and toast the hazelnuts the night before serving.

Is Farro Salad with Arugula Healthy?

Yes, blue cheese farro salad is very healthy! Packed with nutrient-rich farro (an ancient whole grain), arugula (a great leafy green source of calcium and Vitamin K), and wholesome ingredients, this salad is a delicious and nutritious choice.

Can I Make Arugula Farro Salad Ahead of Time?

Yes you can make farro salad with blue cheese ahead of time. For best results, prepare each part individually, store separately, and toss just before serving. 

You can even portion them into individual serving containers for an easy on the go lunch. Just open, toss, and eat!

How to Store Leftover Farro Salad:

Store leftover arugula farro salad in the refrigerator in an airtight container. For the best texture and flavor, eat within 2 days of mixing.

Can You Freeze Farro Salad with Arugula?

While you can freeze anything, we do not recommend freezing this farro salad with arugula. Freezing fresh produce changes the texture of the ingredients, which will affect the overall salad. Just make what you can eat within 2 days.

What to Serve with Farro Salad with Arugula:

I like to serve this arugula farro salad with a delicious grilled protein. Here are a few or my favorite things to serve with it:

• Sour Cream Marinated Chicken: these have an amazing marinade and dipping sauce that will complement the citrus in this farro salad with blue cheese
• Chiptotle Shrimp: just spicy enough and perfectly cooked, these shrimp skewers come together so quickly and are perfect next to this greek farro salad
• Dr. Pepper Steak Marinade: marinated with perfect flavor and a hint of black pepper then grilled, these complement this farro salad so nicely!
• Stuffed Flank Steak: hearty and delicious this is a great dish to serve next to this arugula farro salad
• Old Fashioned Yeast Rolls Recipe: these rolls are easy and a perfect base for everything, including this arugula salad with farro
• Canned Pumpkin Soup: the flavors of this blue cheese farro salad work really well with a bowl of classic pumpkin soup.

Additional Side Dishes You’ll Love…

• Banana Cornbread
• Spinach Stuffing Balls
• Dutch Oven Raisin Bread
• Self Rising Flour Biscuits
• Icebox Rolls
• Maple Syrup Cornbread
• Butternut Squash Bread
• Old Fashioned Buttermilk Biscuits
• Sweet Potato Yeast Rolls

Whether you need more nutrients in your diet or are just looking for an easy way to impress your guests, this farro salad with arugula is a great option to get great flavor any time of the year.

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