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This amazing farro salad features cannellini beans, fresh mozzarella, arugula and sun-dried tomatoes all tossed in a bright and delicious basil vinaigrette!
Fun fact: I’m obsessed with farro. I think it’s a highly underrated grain! It’s very nutritious (packed with plant-based protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants) and I love the nutty flavor and chewy texture it adds to recipes like this farro salad!
This farro salad recipe was inspired by a local Greek market called Stella’s here in Richmond. I absolutely love their version and wanted to try recreating it at home.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Salad
This recipe is a total keeper, whether you’re serving it as a main or side. Here’s why it’s a go-to in my kitchen:
- Packed with plant-based protein – The farro and cannellini beans make this salad super satisfying, with a great balance of carbs, protein, and fiber.
- Bold, herby flavor – The homemade basil vinaigrette takes this salad to the next level. It’s bright, zesty, and so easy to whip up.
- Simple, nourishing ingredients – Nothing fancy here—just a handful of wholesome ingredients that come together for a flavorful dish.
- Customizable – You can easily add grilled salmon, chicken, or even tofu if you want more protein, or swap arugula for spinach or mixed greens.
// ★★★★★ Review //
“This is such a delicious recipe. I’m having a hard time not eating the whole thing! The dressing is so perfect. I would order this at a restaurant every time! This will be in the regular rotation.” – Britt
Farro Salad Ingredients
- farro – you’ll find dry farro by the other grains in the grocery store. Cook time for the farro will differ based on what variety you buy so you’ll want to follow the instructions on your package. Before cooking it looks like a wheat berry and after cooking it looks similar to barley. In terms of taste, farro has a mild, nutty flavory and a chewy texture. It is a wheat grain so farro does have gluten.
- cannellini beans – also known as white kidney beans. I used canned beans for a shortcut!
- sun-dried tomatoes – look for some that are red instead of brownish in color. I’ve found they’re softer and they add a vibrant color to the salad as well.
- mini mozzarella balls – also known as pearled mozzarella, these little balls are about the size of marble and are perfect in this salad.
- baby arugula – the perfect, zesty green to add to this salad!
- sea salt and pepper – to bring all of the flavors together.
- basil vinaigrette – a delicious combination of basil, olive oil, red wine vinegar, shallot, sea salt and pepper.
Substitutions
This salad is super flexible, and you can easily make a few swaps based on what you have on hand or your dietary needs. Here are some ideas:
- Gluten-free option: Swap the farro for brown rice or quinoa. Both work well and still give the salad a nice hearty texture. Quinoa cooks faster and adds a little extra protein, too.
- Cheese swaps: If you can’t find mozzarella pearls, just chop up a larger ball instead—it won’t look as cute, but it’ll still taste amazing. No mozzarella? Crumbled feta works too. You can also skip the cheese entirely to keep it dairy-free.
- Dressings to try: If you’re out of basil, my apple cider vinaigrette or lemon vinaigrette would be tasty here, too. It’ll change the vibe a little, but still delicious.
How to Make Farro Salad
This easy farro salad comes together in just a few steps and makes the perfect lunch, light dinner, or make-ahead side.
Step 1: Cook the farro according to the package directions. Once done, drain and run under cold water to cool. Set aside.
Step 2: Add all the basil vinaigrette ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend until smooth and emulsified.
Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the cooked farro, cannellini beans, sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and arugula.
Step 4: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Serve right away or chill in the fridge before enjoying.
Brittany’s Tip
Rinse your farro: Before cooking, give your farro a good rinse to remove any excess starch and debris. It helps the grains stay fluffy and not gummy.
How to Serve Farro Salad
This farro salad could be eaten on its own (it makes a great lunch) or served as a side salad! If you want to add extra protein, it would be delicious with grilled chicken. And if you’re hosting a backyard picnic, it makes an amazing side salad. Here are some other dishes it would pair well with:
- Black bean burgers – Can’t go wrong pairing this salad with a delicious veggie burger!
- Vegan broccoli raisin salad – No picnic is complete without broccoli salad… this has an EBF twist with a vegan dressing!
- Low-carb cauliflower potato salad – A fun take on a traditional potato salad. Use cauliflower instead of potatoes for this low-carb dish.
- Roasted summer squash and zucchini – The perfect way to use up the summer squash that is taking over your garden!
How to Store Leftovers
This salad stores so well! Farro is a heartier grain so I actually think this salad gets better with time. I like to make it a few hours in advance to let the flavors marinate together. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, farro contains gluten. For a gluten-free option, you can swap in brown rice or quinoa instead.
Yes! This salad is great for meal prep. Just wait to add the arugula and dressing until right before serving to keep everything fresh.
I usually go for pearled farro because it cooks faster and still has a great chewy texture. Semi-pearled works too—just adjust the cooking time as needed.
More Salad Recipes to Try
- Greek Chickpea Salad
- Easy Barley Salad with Chickpeas and Pears
- Mediterranean Salmon Salad
- Mediterranean Orzo Salad
- Arugula Salad
- Hearts of Palm Salad with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette
Be sure to check out the full collection of salad recipes on EBF!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Farro Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry farro
- 1 ⅓ cup cannellini beans, 15 oz can, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, ones that are red instead of brownish in color
- 1 cup mini mozzarella balls, also called pearled mozzarella I think
- 4 cups baby arugula
- additional sea salt and pepper, to taste
Basil Vinaigrette
- 1 cup packed basil, slightly chopped
- ½ cup olive oil
- 3 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup shallot
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
- Cook farro according to package. You should end up with a little over 2 cups of cooked farro once cooked and drained. Run under cold water to cool. Drain well.
- Add all dressing ingredients into a high powered blender and blend for at least 1 minute, or until basil is really chopped up and dressing is emulsified. Yield: little less than 3/4 cup total
- Add cooked farro, cannellini beans, sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella balls and arugula into a bowl. Add dressing and toss. Taste and add more salt and pepper, if desired. Serve right away or chill in the fridge before serving. Recipe will keep up to 3 days in the fridge.
Video
Notes
- Farro swap: If needed you can use barley instead of farro for this salad. You could also use quinoa or brown rice for a gluten free option.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This post was originally published on July 23, 2021, republished on April 17, 2024 and updated on April 5, 2025.
A simple and delicious recipe. Thank you!
This was delicious and super easy to make! I made it exactly as is, but next time will try the suggestion of adding artichoke. Added TJ’s pre-cooked grilled chicken strips for extra protein and served with some grilled eggplant on the side. Great bbq side and nice alternative to pasta salad.
Delicious! I am so excited to hear you gave this recipe a try and it turned out great for you, Lauren. Thank you for taking the time to share your review & star rating, I really appreciate it!
I love this salad. The Stella’s version also includes artichoke hearts, which I like, so I added those. Thanks for the recipe.
Of course! I am so glad you are loving this salad, Sonja. Love the idea of adding artichoke hearts, such a great addition. Thank you for taking the time to share your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!
This is such a delicious recipe. I’m having a hard time not eating the whole thing! The dressing is so perfect. I would order this at a restaurant every time! This will be in the regular rotation.
YAY! I am so glad you are loving this salad, Britt. It is one of my favorites. Thank you for taking the time to share your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!
Delish!! I added sliced grilled chicken and made it a meal. Husband doesn’t like sun dried tomatoes, so I used grape tomatoes instead, and threw in a few black olives. That basil dressing really brings it all together & makes it a bit special. This one will be in the regular rotation.
YUM! This sounds absolutely delicious, I am so glad you and your husband are loving this salad. Thank you for sharing your review & star rating, I really appreciate it!
Loved this salad! Made it without mozzarella balls because I dont eat dairy and it was still so good!! Also used fresh cherry tomatoes instead of sun dried but will be trying it with sun dried soon:))
Yay! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed this salad, Helen. Thanks so much for sharing your review, I really appreciate it.
So good and very filling! Love the flavors in this salad and a great recipe to prep the night before. Can’t wait to make it again!
Yay! I’m glad you’re enjoying this recipe, Lexie. Thank you for leaving a review and star rating, I really appreciate it!
This is so delish! The textures are fabulous and the basil vinaigrette on the arugula is so flavorful I’d eat it alone. I used brown rice to mimic the size, chew, and nuttiness of the farro for a GF sub and it was great! I’ll be eating this for lunch all week for sure 🙂
Woo! Thanks for sharing your GF swap, Sara. I’m glad this salad was a hit for you!
SO delicious! The homemade dressing really makes it. I also love the sundried tomatos in this- adds a great flavor. This is a delicious side salad for any entree- we paired with grilled chicken and vegetables and it was perfect.
Yay! So glad you enjoyed this salad, Madeleine. I appreciate you coming back to leave a review and star rating!
I made this salad for my lunch meal prep and my kids and husband (not really salad eaters) ended up eating the other portions – it was that good! Will be a regular on our meal rotation!
Woo! Love when the whole family approves! Thanks for sharing your review, Emily, it means so much to me!
Made this last week it was a great filling yet light meal that was quick and easy to put together on a weeknight
Yay! I’m glad you’re enjoying this recipe, Lindsey! Thanks for leaving a review and star rating, I really appreciate it!
Super simple & quick. The dressing is divine. Couldn’t find arugula so used a 5 oz container of spring mix greens.
Woo! Glad this recipe was a hit, Veronica. Thanks so much for leaving a review and star rating, I really appreciate it.
Big hit at Sunday bbq today! The recipe was requested and shared!
Yay! Love when that happens! Thanks for sharing, Kim! I really appreciate it.
I came across this recipe on my Instagram newsfeed and I have been dying to try it ever since. It is HEAVENLY. Awesome textures, light but filling, a perfect salad to bring to a summer cookout or party. I will be eating this for lunch the rest of the week, this is a must try!
Woo! Love to hear that, Andrea! So glad you’re enjoying this recipe. Thanks for the review!
Made this today for lunch and it was delicious. Can’t wait to have leftovers for lunch this week.
Woo! So glad you loved this recipe, Jamie! Thanks so much for leaving a review, I really appreciate it!
Inspiring recipe, great combination of flavors, TY.
Yay! I’m glad you enjoyed it, Letitia. Thanks for leaving a review, I appreciate it so much!
I am keen to try this recipe, but need a gluten free option. I realise the Farro is probably the hero of this dish, but have you got any suggestions?
Hi, Barb! Someone else commented that they made it with quinoa instead of Farro, which I think is a great substitution! Let me know if you try it and how you like it! 🙂
Substituted fresh tomatoes because I had to use them up and this was great! Looking forward to trying with sun dried next time!
Hi, Lauren! Yay, so glad you enjoyed this salad. Thanks for leaving a review, I appreciate it!
I love using FARRO in salads – so chewy and hardy and it’s great to meal prep in large batch’s as it holds up well in the fridge and freezer. Excited to give this a try!
Yay! A fellow farro lover! I hope you enjoy the salad, Angela!
I had to improvise on this recipe just a little because I didn’t have any shallots or red wine vinegar so used white wine vinegar and onion powder instead. I added some balsamic glaze also. It was delicious!
Woo! So glad this recipe turned out well for you, Taylor. Thanks for sharing your swaps, I really appreciate it.
SO good. definitely snuck a clove of garlic into the dressing and I highly recommend 🙂
Oooh, wonderful idea! THanks for sharing, Nikki!
Loved this salad! I used quinoa instead of farro. Be sure to season with extra salt & pepper as the recipe indicates when finished. It’s delicious!!!
Yay! Thanks for sharing a review, Kassy, I appreciate it so much! 🙂
I saw this recipe while in my kitchen, had everything on hand (thank you for always using easy ingredients!), made it and LOVE IT! We both work from home so an easy salad that we can make in 15 min is much appreciated. This will be a regular in my home!
Woo! I’m so happy to hear that, Jennifer! Thank you so much for sharing your review, I really appreciate it.
This is delicious and so easy to put together. I had never made or eaten farro before. I love the texture and its quick and easy to cook. I made this recipe and took it to a covered dish cookout and everyone loved it.
Ah yay! So glad to hear this farro salad was a success, Ellen! Thanks so much for the review. It means so much to me!
Absolutely delicious. I’ll definitely be making this again & recommending it too!
Yay! So glad to hear this salad was a hit, Susannah! Thanks so much for the review. It means so much to me!
This is so delicious! I can’t find any shallots here in Austin, so I used yellow onion. Definitely tastes best chilled. I will for sure make this again! Great summer lunch or dinner!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this farro salad, Stacey! Thanks so much for trying it out and coming back to leave a review. It means so much to me!
Delicious! One of our favorite Stella’s salads. The dressing was on point!
Yay! So glad this farro salad was a hit, Kara! Thanks for the review 🙂
You absolutely nailed this Stella’s salad bowl. I am obsessed with their dressing on this salad your version is spot on! Cannot thank you enough for sharing this. 🥰
Yay!! I’m so glad this farro salad was a hit, Jillian! Thanks so much for sharing!
Fantastic! Thanks for another great recipe!
So glad you enjoyed it!!
Super delicious and easy!! We added the ACV chicken – so yummy!!
Oh yay!! This makes me so happy to hear. I bet it was so good with the ACV chicken. And thank you for the comment and review.