How to Cook Farro (Instant Pot and Stovetop Directions + Recipes)

Looking for instructions on how to cook Farro? Farro is a nutritious whole grain that can be used for so many healthy meals. Let me show you how easy it is to cook either using your Instant Pot® pressure cooker or simply on your stovetop. 

Have you ever had Farro? If not, you’re in for a treat! It’s so easy to cook, has a wonderful, nutty flavor and agreeable, chewy texture. It’s definitely one of my favorite whole grains! Let’s take a look at what exactly it is before we get into how to cook it and some different Farro recipes.

What is Farro?

Farro is an ancient wheat grain that’s been popular in Mediterranean cuisine for thousands of years. It is rich in fiber, protein, magnesium and vitamins A, B, C, and E. Farro is one of the few grains that’s been largely unchanged over the last several hundred years.

Is Farro Gluten Free?

No, farro isn’t gluten free because it’s a wheat grain. Gluten is the protein present in wheat. Therefore, farro isn’t suitable for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.

Even though it’s not gluten free, it’s much more nutritious than typical refined wheat grains that are common today (ie wheat flour) so can most definitely be a part of a healthy, balanced diet.

Different Types of Farro

• Pearled farro is the most common type of farro sold in the U.S. Pearled farro has had its outer layer of bran is removed. This means it contains less fiber and nutrients. That’s a trade-off for a much faster cooking time.  
• Whole-grain farro is the least processed type, containing the germ and the bran in addition to the inner endosperm. This high-protein farro requires overnight soaking before cooking.
• Semi-pearled farro lands in the middle of pearled and whole grain. It has a faster cooking time than whole-grain Farro, while it retains more nutrients than pearled Farro. I recommend looking for semi-pearled Farro for the best of both worlds and that is what I use.

Ingredients for Cooking Farro

The most basic ingredients needed for cooking farro are dry farro and cooking liquid. I prefer to use a vegetable stock for this for added flavor, but water works as well. You can also add any aromatics or spices to add flavor.

How to Cook Farro on the Stovetop

There are two ways you can cook farro on the stovetop. You can use the “rice method” or the “pasta method.”

With the “rice method”, you’ll use approximately 2 cups of liquid (I prefer using stock vs. water for more flavor) per 1 cup of Farro. You cook until the liquid is absorbed.

For the “pasta method” you’ll use more liquid, 3-4 cups per 1 cup of farro, and drain off the liquid

Stovetop Cook Times for Farro

Cooking time for farro depends on the type of farro you’re using.

• Pearled farro: 15-20 minutes with no pre-soaking required.
• Semi-pearled farro: 25-30 minutes with no pre-soaking required. You can presoak to cut down the cooking time to 15 minutes.
• Whole grain farro: 30-60 minutes, depending on how long it has been soaked. Ideally, whole farro should be soaked overnight.

How to Cook Farro in the Instant Pot® Pressure Cooker

Use the Instant Pot® pressure cooker is my favorite way to cook farro. It takes the guesswork out of the cooking time and I love that I can start it and walk away. No need to babysit the stovetop. I also make Instant Pot Brown Rice all of the time!

I use semi-pearled farro for cooking farro in the Instant Pot®.  The time will be less for pearled farro and more for whole grain farro.

Place 1 cup farro and 2 cups vegetable stock in the inner pot. Press the manual or pressure cook button and adjust the timer to 10 minutes.

When the timer beeps, let the pressure release naturally for 10 more minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.

Most of the liquid should be absorbed, but you can drain it if there is more than you would like. I like it with a small amount of liquid remaining in the pot and not completely dry.

Storing Farro

• Cooked farro will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Store it in an airtight container.
• You can also freeze cooked farro for up to 6 months in a freezer-safe container.

Farro Recipes

The good news is you don’t need a specific recipe for using your cooked farro. In the above picture I just added some to a salad I threw together at lunchtime. It can make any salad or soup heartier.

It would be delicious added to this Kale Salad with Peaches or this 15-Minute Vegetable Soup.

If you’re not a wing it type of cook, here are some recipes with farro to try!

Rainbow Farro Salad

This is an incredible, nutrient-dense salad that happens to be vegan and super filling. Yes, salads can be hearty and filling!

Vegetable Grain Bowl

This is another vegan recipe that is hearty and satisfying. You’ll love farro mixed with tomatoes, mushrooms, kale, and toasted pine nuts.

Here are some more farro recipes from around the web to try:

Best-Ever Farro Salad

One-Pan Farro with Mushrooms and Peas

Strawberry Farro Salad

Chopped Grilled Vegetable Bowl with Farro

Would you like to see more recipes with farro on Happy Healthy Mama? I’d love to hear your requests!

Now for the printable instructions! I hope this post was helpful for you as you navigate how to cook healthy, whole grains!

Print

How to Cook Farro (Instant Pot and Stovetop Directions + Recipes)

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

• Author: Maryea Flaherty of Happy Healthy Mama
• Prep Time: 2 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: how to
• Method: stove top or instant pot
• Cuisine: italian
• Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup farro
• 2 cups water or vegetable stock

Instructions

Stove Top Instructions

1. Place the farro and cooking liquid of choice in a pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover the pot.
2. Cook until the liquid is absorbed and farro is cooked, see times in notes.

Instant Pot Instructions

1. Place 1 cup farro and 2 cups vegetable stock in the inner pot. Press the manual or pressure cook button and adjust the timer to 10 minutes.
2. When the timer beeps, let the pressure release naturally for 10 more minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
3. Most of the liquid should be absorbed, but you can drain it if there is more than you would like. I like it with a small amount of liquid remaining in the pot and not completely dry.

 

Notes

Stovetop Cooking Times for Different Types of Farro

• Pearled farro: 15-20 minutes with no pre-soaking required.
• Semi-pearled farro: 25-30 minutes with no pre-soaking required. You can presoak to cut down the cooking time to 15 minutes.
• Whole grain farro: 30-60 minutes, depending on how long it has been soaked. Ideally, whole farro should be soaked overnight.

Instant Pot Notes

• Use the Instant Pot® pressure cooker is my favorite way to cook farro. It takes the guesswork out of the cooking time and I love that I can start it and walk away. No need to babysit the stovetop.
• I use semi-pearled farro for cooking farro in the Instant Pot®.  The time will be less for pearled farro and more for whole grain farro.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/2 cup cooked farro
• Calories: 97
• Sugar: 0.7 grams
• Fat: 0 grams
• Carbohydrates: 21 grams
• Fiber: 2 grams
• Protein: 4 grams

Keywords: how to cook farro