This Easy Butternut Squash Farro Salad with 5-Ingredient Dressing is a satisfying and delicious dinner or hearty side. It’s nutty flavor and chewy texture make this grain a must-have pantry staple. And it’s so easy to prepare, you’ll want to work it into your fall meal-prep rotation.
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The health benefits of Farro
A type of wheat, Farro is often referred to as an “ancient grain”. If you’re not yet a fan of Farro, you need to give it a try. It delivers more protein and fiber per serving than rice (approximately 3.5 grams of each). It also contains a number of essential vitamins and minerals – including calcium and magnesium. Now, I have absolutely nothing against rice, but if you’re trying to make small steps toward better eating, then Farro is one of those changes that tastes less like a sacrifice and more like elevated dining.
If you like this recipe for Easy Butternut Squash Farro Salad, you may also enjoy my Healthy Mediterranean Farro Salad recipe. It features sun dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives and a creamy goat cheese. Although very different, both are absolutely delicious!
A Healthy Meal Prep Option
Both of these Farro recipes can double as either a hearty side or a satisfying vegetarian entree. If you’re into meal prepping, you’ll want to add this grain and both of these salads to your rotation. My go-to brand is Nature’s Earthly Choice. I like it because it’s both organic and easy to find. Most major grocery stores carry it. Or, you can simply drop it into your Amazon shopping cart and have it delivered directly to your home.
This Easy Butternut Squash Farro Salad can be served warm or chilled. It’s also a great side for a fall holiday gathering such as Thanksgiving. And because it can be made in advance, it’s one of the primary recipes I like to integrated into my Thanksgiving Planning Guide, which you can either Pin or Download for free from the blog.
So, why is the kale optional?
Let’s just be completely honest here: not everyone likes kale. I have my days, too. But whether or not you’re a fan, kale is a proven nutrition superstar. In addition to delivering high levels of vitamins A, B6, C and K, kale is also a good source of important minerals such as calcium, potassium and manganese. It’s also low in calories and carbohydrates – an added benefit for anyone trying to manage their weight or diabetes naturally.
So, I like to sneak in a little kale on my plate whenever I can. The Farro delivers just the right amount of brightness from the lemon juice dressing and salty goodness from the feta. In fact, you might just find you like kale a little more with each bite.
Of course, if you’re still not convinced, you can just leave it out of this Easy Butternut Squash Farro Salad all together. Either way you serve it, this salad is delicious!
Let’s Get Social!
Thank you for visiting MOstly Bakes! I hope you have enjoyed this Easy Butternut Squash and Farro Salad recipe. If you’re looking for other recipes featuring different grains, you may also enjoy this simple fall salad recipe using wild rice. And if you’re looking for more great recipes, gift ideas and content from a more personal perspective, I’d like to invite you to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media via Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Thank you again, for visiting, and I look forward to connecting with you there!
Blessings & enjoy!
Easy Butternut Squash Farro Salad with 5-Ingredient Dressing
Course: MainsDifficulty: Intermediate6-8
servings20
minutes20
minutesThis Easy Butternut Squash Farro Salad with 5-Ingredient Dressing is a satisfying and delicious dinner or hearty side.
Ingredients
- For the salad
1 1/2 cups Farro, rinsed in cold water and drained
2 cups chicken stock
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 cup butternut squash, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/4 cup red onion, 1/4 inch dice
3 Tbsp. fresh parsley, roughly chopped
1/4 cup feta crumbles
2 cups kale, trimmed, rinsed and drained (optional)
- For the dressing
1/4 cups extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp. agave nectar
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
Directions
- Prepare the dressing
- Combine 1/4 cup olive oil, the lemon juice, agave nectar, salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Prepare the Farro
- Rinse and drain the Farro in a colander. Set aside.
- In a medium-size stock pot, bring the stock to a boil. Add the Farro. Cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for approximately 20 minutes until tender.
- While the Farro is cooking, prepare the squash. In a medium-size saute pan, warm 1 Tbsp. of oil over medium heat. Add the squash and saute until cooked through – approximately 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely,
- Return to the Farro. When ready, remove from heat and transfer to a colander to drain. Rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Allow Farro to cool to room temperature and drain completely.
- Transfer the Farro to a large mixing bowl. Pour in the dressing and mix thoroughly. The Farro may appear overdressed initially, but it will absorb into the grains.
- Add the squash, red onion and parsley to the Farro and toss gently.
- When ready to serve, create a base with the kale (optional). Top with feta crumbles right before serving.
Notes
- Why can’t I just add the feta crumbles with the other ingredients? You can, but the appearance will not be the same as pictured. The feta will break down in the mixing process and create a creamy, muddy-looking salad. This recipe calls for adding the feta at the end to preserve its clean, fresh appearance. You still get the great flavor of the feta, and the presentation is prettier.
