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Garden Fresh Farro Bowl with Balsamic Dressing
Mediterranean

Garden Fresh Farro Bowl with Balsamic Dressing

A nutritious and colorful farro bowl packed with fresh vegetables, creamy avocado, tangy feta, and a zesty balsamic dressing that's perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner.
Mediterranean

Garden Fresh Farro Bowl with Balsamic Dressing

A nutritious and colorful farro bowl packed with fresh vegetables, creamy avocado, tangy feta, and a zesty balsamic dressing that's perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner.

10 mins

Prep Time

0 mins

Cook Time

Easy

Level

Serves 2

Servings

10 mins

Prep Time

0 mins

Cook Time

Easy

Level

Serves 2

Servings

This vibrant farro bowl has become my go-to healthy meal since discovering just how nutritious farro really is. After having kids and wanting to shed those extra pounds while still eating deliciously, this bowl checks all the boxes. The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility – swap in whatever fresh vegetables you have on hand and make it completely your own. The combination of nutty farro, crisp vegetables, creamy avocado, and tangy balsamic dressing creates a satisfying meal that never gets boring.

Ingredients

  • cooked farro
    ½
    cup
  • tomato
    ½
    whole
  • cucumber
    ½
    whole
  • mini bell peppers
    2
    whole
  • avocado
    ½
    whole
  • Kalamata olives
    8
    whole
  • feta cheese
    2
    ounces
  • olive oil
    2
    tablespoons
  • balsamic vinegar
    1
    tablespoon
  • Dijon mustard
    ½
    teaspoon
  • garlic
    1
    clove
  • salt and pepper
    to taste

Tips

  1. Mediterranean Version: Add sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and pine nuts for extra Mediterranean flair.

  2. Protein Boost: Top with grilled chicken, chickpeas, or hard-boiled eggs for extra protein.

  3. Vegan Option: Omit the feta cheese and add hemp seeds or nutritional yeast for extra flavor and nutrients.

  4. Seasonal Twist: Swap vegetables based on season – try roasted butternut squash and pomegranate seeds in fall, or fresh corn and cherry tomatoes in summer.

Storage

Store assembled bowls without dressing in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep dressing separate and add just before serving. The farro can be cooked up to 3 days in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator.

Steps:

Prepare the Bowl Base
Place the cooked farro into a large mixing bowl. Add the diced tomato, cucumber, bell peppers, sliced avocado, and Kalamata olives. Gently toss to combine.
Make the Balsamic Dressing
In a lidded jar, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Secure the lid and shake vigorously until the dressing is well combined and emulsified.
Assemble and Serve
Divide the farro mixture between two bowls. Top each bowl with crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle 1 to 2 tablespoons of the balsamic dressing over each bowl and serve immediately.

Nutritions

  • Calories

    850 kcal

    Energy

    3556 kJ

    Protein

    12 g

    Fat

    71 g

    Carbohydrates

    51 g

    Fiber

    8 g

    Sugars

    6 g

    Salt

    1.2 g

Recipe Variations

This recipe is easy to adapt to your taste. Try one of the variations below to change the flavor or ingredients.

  1. Mediterranean Version: Add sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and pine nuts for extra Mediterranean flair.

  2. Protein Boost: Top with grilled chicken, chickpeas, or hard-boiled eggs for extra protein.

  3. Vegan Option: Omit the feta cheese and add hemp seeds or nutritional yeast for extra flavor and nutrients.

  4. Seasonal Twist: Swap vegetables based on season – try roasted butternut squash and pomegranate seeds in fall, or fresh corn and cherry tomatoes in summer.

FAQ

No, you’ll need to cook the farro first. Cook 1 cup of dry farro in 3 cups of water or broth for about 30-40 minutes until tender. This will yield about 2-3 cups of cooked farro.
The assembled bowl without dressing will keep for up to 2 days in the refrigerator. For best results, store the dressing separately and add it just before serving.
Absolutely! Simply omit the feta cheese or replace it with your favorite vegan cheese alternative. You can also add hemp seeds or nutritional yeast for extra flavor and nutrition.
You can substitute farro with quinoa, brown rice, bulgur wheat, or barley. Just adjust the cooking time according to the grain you choose.