Simple + Easy Instant Pot Farro
Recipe Snapshot
PREP + COOK TIME: 30 minutes (including time to pressurize)
METHOD: Instant Pot
OTHER TOOLS: Colander
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 2
Here’s a superfood that you can make in your Instant Pot in under 30 minutes! Whole grain farro made in the Instant Pot is a simple side dish or an excellent addition to salads, soups, and more.
What is farro?
Farro is a type of wheat and, in its natural form, is a nutritious whole-grain food. It resembles rice in shape and size, but has a nutty flavor and chewy texture. Farro may be sold in bulk at health food stores or packaged with other dry goods and grains.
There are typically 3 types of farro that you’ll find in the grocery store, and similar to types of rice, the difference depends on how each type is processed.
- Whole grain farro will have the highest nutritional value of fiber and protein since it contains the husk and bran and maintains the complete grain.
- Semi-pearled farro will have part of the outer husk and bran removed, which will allow it to cook faster.
- Pearled farro has most of the bran and husk removed and will have the shortest cooking time. Since the bran and husk are removed, this version contains the least amount of nutritional value of the three.
Overall, farro can be an easy, healthy side dish alternative to rice or other grains! While it is high in fiber, protein, iron, and other nutrients, it is important to note that farro is not gluten-free.
What’s To Love About This Recipe
- Sometimes, you just need some basics in the pantry that can help you get a healthy meal on the table quickly. Farro is a wonderful, shelf-stable grain that makes a great addition to meat and veggies, or to add into other recipes.
- If you’ve ever burned a pot of rice or quinoa on the stove, you may have some hesitation about cooking grains from scratch. The Instant Pot is the perfect solution! With a 1 to 2 ratio of grain to liquid, it’s simple to cook the grains perfectly without the fuss of boiling on the stovetop.
- Farro is another option to try instead of rice, especially in dishes where you want some added texture. This recipe can add a new element to your meal in no time.
- I love the unique flavor of farro and its wonderful nutritional benefits, too! This can be a nice hearty alternative when you want some grains other than rice.
Ingredients Needed
- Farro – Use 1 cup of whole grain farro and rinse it thoroughly. Drain excess water – no need to presoak for the Instant Pot! Avoid any quick-cook varieties and stick to regular farro (it will usually call for a 30-minute cook time if using the stovetop method).
- Chicken broth – I like using chicken broth to add some flavor, but you could also use water.
How To Make Farro In The Instant Pot
- Rinse the farro well and drain fully.
- Add farro to the Instant Pot with the chicken broth.
- Cover and seal the lid.
- Set the timer to high pressure for 10 minutes (it will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure and then start the countdown for the cooking time).
- Once cooking is completed, allow the pot to rest for a 5-minute natural pressure release.
- Carefully turn the valve to release the remaining pressure.
- Stir to fluff the farro and drain any remaining liquid before serving.
Pro Tips
- Be sure to use regular, whole grain farro since quick-cooking varieties may turn out mushy in the Instant Pot.
- At a typical grocery store, farro will often be in the health foods section although it is becoming more widely available. At specialty health food stores, you might be able to purchase it from the bulk dry goods section.
- Easily double or triple the recipe for extra meal prep!
- Unless the package indicates otherwise, rinse your farro thoroughly so that it doesn’t turn out bitter. Simply add your measured amount to a colander, rinse until the water runs clear, and then shake dry.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
With the Instant Pot and simple ingredients, you can easily adjust the flavor. Use chicken or vegetable broth for increased flavor, or simply use water and add salt if desired.
Feel free to add any other seasonings that you like or season the farro when ready to serve.
How To Serve Farro
Farro makes a great base for a bowl with veggies and shredded meat. It also provides a nice flavor and texture contrast to fish like Air Fryer Cod or Air Fryer Halibut. I love creating a veggie bowl with farro, Sweet Potato Cubes, and roasted Brussels sprouts.
Farro is also frequently added to salads with lots of leafy greens. It adds a nutty taste and a change in texture.
Add a drizzle of olive oil or butter to a side of farro and season however you like. The next time you need a side of rice, try out farro with the Instant Pot!
Storing and Reheating
Instant Pot farro is a great food to make up a double or triple batch and freeze in small portions for later! Meal prep a pot and store in the fridge for up to 4 days, or portion into bags and containers to store up to 3 months in the freezer.
Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet, or in your preferred method for individual recipes.
Simple + Easy Instant Pot Farro
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup farro
- 2 cups chicken broth
Instructions
- Rinse farro well and drain fully
- Add farro to Instant Pot with chicken broth
- Cover and seal the lid
- Set timer to high pressure for 10 minutes (it will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure and then start the cook-time countdown)
- Once cooking is completed, allow pot to rest for a 5-minute natural pressure release
- Carefully turn valve to release remaining pressure
- Stir to fluff farro and drain any remaining liquid before serving
Notes
- Store leftover farro in the fridge for up to 4 days and freeze single portions for up to 3 months.
- Easily double or triple the recipe in the Instant Pot.
- Farro is a form of wheat and is not gluten-free.
Instant Pot Farro FAQs
- Can farro be used instead of rice? Farro can be a great substitute instead of rice, especially in dishes where you want some added texture. However, it won’t work as a gluten-free substitute.
- What is the ratio of farro to water? For this recipe in the Instant Pot, use 1 part farro to 2 parts of water or broth.
- Does farro need to be rinsed before or after cooking? Yes, it is important to rinse the dry farro first to remove any dirt, dust, or other remaining debris that can affect the taste.
- How can you add more flavor to farro? Cooking with broth is the best option to make farro more flavorful. You can also add salt as desired and season or add butter once it is cooked.
- How much does 1 cup of farro make? One cup of dry, whole farro will yield between 2-3 cups cooked.
