Lemon Herb Farro and Chickpea (Printable Version)
Refreshing farro and chickpea salad with lemon-herb dressing, perfect for Mediterranean-inspired meals.
# What You'll Need:
→ Grains & Legumes
01 - 1 cup farro, uncooked
02 - 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
→ Fresh Vegetables & Herbs
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 small cucumber, diced
05 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
06 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
07 - 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
→ Dressing
08 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
09 - 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
10 - 1 tsp lemon zest
11 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
12 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
13 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
# How To Make:
01 - Prepare farro according to package directions until al dente, approximately 25 minutes. Drain thoroughly and allow to cool to room temperature before proceeding.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, add cooled farro, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, and mint. Toss gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
03 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, sea salt, and black pepper in a small bowl or jar until fully emulsified and smooth.
04 - Pour dressing over grain and vegetable mixture. Use gentle folding motions to coat all ingredients without mashing the chickpeas or tomatoes.
05 - Taste salad and adjust salt or pepper as desired. Serve immediately chilled or at room temperature. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The nutty chew of farro against bright lemon and herbs hits that perfect spot between satisfying and refreshing
- It actually tastes better after a day in the fridge, making it your new best friend for meal prep days
02 -
- Letting the farro cool completely before mixing with the vegetables prevents the herbs from wilting and keeps everything crisp and fresh
- The dressing might seem thick at first but the moisture from the tomatoes and cucumber will help distribute it as the salad sits
03 -
- Spread your cooked farro on a large baking sheet to cool it down quickly instead of waiting around which speeds up the whole process
- Make double the dressing and keep it in a jar in the fridge to freshen up any leftovers that have been sitting for a day or two