This quick and easy Instant Pot Farro recipe will make cooking farro a breeze. This fail-safe method not only saves time but makes perfect farro every time. Chewy, nutty and delicious!
Have you ever tried farro? It's a delicious ancient grain that is great in all sorts of dishes. I love using farro in place of white or brown rice, and it's the perfect healthy side dish when you're looking for something a little different.
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Why This Recipe Works
Making farro on the stove isn't really difficult, but it does take a while and you have to stir it often to prevent the farro from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Making farro in the instant pot is my favorite way to make this nutritious grain.
- Easy. Simply add everything to the instant pot and cook it at high pressure for 8 minutes, then slow release for 7. Done! No waiting around the stovetop for 30 minutes. This easy way of cooking farro allows you to prepare other parts of your meal, or do something else entirely while the farro is cooking.
- Fast. The magic of your electric pressure cooker cuts the cooking time of farro without compromising its taste or nutritional value.
- Great results. The high-pressure cooking method ensures that each grain of farro absorbs the flavors of the broth or water and the pinch of salt. The result? A perfectly cooked, chewy grain with a nutty undertone, ready for an easy side dish, a farro salad, grain bowls, or the main star of your meal.
- Great for meal prep. Using the instant pot to make a big batch of farro is a great way to meal prep for the week. You can even freeze cooked farro for later on, saving your future self time and energy.
- Can be customized with any flavor. Add a sauce to this delicious farro and you've got an easy vegetarian side dish. I love this mint chimichurri sauce, or this sweet and spicy honey sriracha sauce mixed in with the farro.
What Is Farro?
Farro, often hailed as an ancient whole grain, traces its roots back to early civilizations. Derived from wheat, it's a nutritional powerhouse packed with B vitamins, fiber, and essential minerals. Farro is a nutritious powerhouse, high in protein, fiber and iron, making it a great option if you're trying to stay healthy.
Besides that, farro is a delicious grain, adding a distinct nutty flavor and a chewy texture to dishes. It's great for use in soups, salads, sides, casseroles or main dishes, and pairs well with chicken, fish, steak or pork. Farro is one of my favorite grains because of its versatility and high nutritional value.
Types Of Farro
Farro can be processed in different ways, resulting in a different appearance, texture, flavor and nutritional content for each. It's important to know what type of farro you have as the cooking method for each can vary. The main types of farro are:
- Whole grain farro. Whole farro retains the bran and germ, offering maximum nutritional benefits.
- Semi-pearled farro. Has some of the bran removed, resulting in a shorter cooking time
- Pearled farro. Has all of the bran removed, but is the least nutritious and has the lowest fiber content of the three types of farro.
For this recipe I used semi-pearled farro.
Ingredients
The ingredients for cooking farro in the instant pot couldn't be simpler. You'll need:
- Farro. For this recipe, use either semi-pearled farro or farro. (Whole grain farro may take a bit of extra cooking time due to the fact that the bran is not removed.)
- Water or broth. This will depend on the dish you're preparing it for, but chicken broth or veggie broth can add a nice flavor to the farro.
- Salt. Optional if you're on a low-sodium diet but it helps to add extra flavor to the dish.
How To Make Farro In The Instant Pot
- Rinse the farro. You'll want to rinse your farro well to remove any excess starch or dust from when it was processed. This dust can create a gummy or sticky texture on the farro if not rinsed before cooking. I typically use a fine mesh sieve run cold water over the dry farro for 1-2 minutes prior to cooking. Add the rinsed farro to the Instant Pot.
- Add the broth or water, and the salt. Add the water and salt to the Instant pot, give it a good stir, then lock the Instant Pot lid.
- Cook on high pressure. Cook the farro on high pressure for 8 minutes, allowing the grains to absorb the liquid.
- Allow a natural release. Allow the pressure cooker to naturally release for 7 minutes after the initial cooking time. At the 7-minute mark, press the quick release button to manually vent any remaining steam from the Instant Pot.
- Drain and serve. It's common to have some remaining liquid after cooking the farro. Remove the farro from the Instant Pot, drain off any excess water, and use the farro as you wish - as a side dish, mixed into soups or casseroles, or stored for later.
Variations And Substitutions
Farro is a versatile dish and you can add to this basic recipe to create lots of different flavors.
- Add a splash of olive oil. Drizzle with a little bit of olive oil for an extra layer of richness and flavor.
- Change the cooking liquid. Try different types of broth for different flavors.
- Throw in some fresh herbs. Add some fresh herbs or green onion for a burst of freshness and color.
- Make it vegetarian: If you want to opt for broth over water, choose vegetable broth.
- Add some other veggies. Combine cooked farro with roasted vegetables like sweet potatoes or butternut squash for a complete meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
While farro contains less gluten than modern wheat, it's not gluten-free. Consider gluten-free grains for those with sensitivities.
Absolutely! Farro's chewier texture adds a delightful twist to your favorite rice-based dishes.
You can usually find farro in the grain aisle, but it can also sometimes appear alongside pasta in the pasta aisle too.
There are lots of great brands out there. I like using Bob's Red Mill farro.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days to maintain optimal freshness.
Yes! Freezing cooked farro is easy to do. For complete instructions on how to freeze cooked farro, click here.
Cooked farro can be used as a substitute for brown or white rice in almost any recipe. It's a delicious side dish for most proteins, and is a great base for soups, salads, stews, or casseroles, like this Farro with Blistered Tomatoes And Pesto.
If you try this method of making Instant Pot Farro, let me know what you think in the comments below. And don't forget to tag me @frontrangefed on Instagram - I love to see your creations!
Recipe
Instant Pot Farro
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups farro
- 2 ½ cups water or broth
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Place the farro in a fine mesh sieve and give it a good rinse under cold water before adding it to the Instant Pot. Add the water or broth and salt, give everything a good stir, then lock the lid of the Instant Pot.
- Cook the farro on high pressure for 8 minutes.
- Allow the farro to natural release for 7 minutes once the initial cooking time is done. At the 7 minute mark, press the quick release button to release any remaining pressure and manually vent any remaining steam.
- Remove the farro from the instant pot and drain off any extra water. Serve immediately, store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, or freeze.
Anjali says
Very easy and yummy!
Sarah Jenkins says
Thanks Anjali!