What ingredients go in a goat cheese farro salad?

A great farro goat cheese salad will typically include cooked farro, crumbled goat cheese, leafy greens like arugula or spinach, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and fresh herbs like mint and basil. A lemony olive oil vinaigrette ties it all together. Feel free to customize with roasted veggies or nuts for added texture.

Should I serve this salad warm or cold?

Both work! Serve it warm for a comfort-food-style dish or enjoy it cold as a refreshing packed lunch. Letting it sit for a bit after dressing allows the farro to absorb even more flavor.

Can feta replace goat cheese here?

Definitely. Feta brings a saltier, firmer texture but still balances beautifully against farro and greens. Just be mindful of quantity—feta is bolder, so you might want to use slightly less.

How do you store leftovers without the cheese drying out?

Store the salad in an airtight container and keep the goat cheese in a separate compartment until you're ready to serve. When reheating or pulling it from the fridge, add a small drizzle of olive oil or lemon to rehydrate the farro if needed.

Farro Goat Cheese Salad: 7 Delicious Reasons to Love It

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If you love hearty, satisfying salads that don’t skimp on flavor or texture, you’re in for a treat. This farro goat cheese salad combines nutty whole grains, creamy cheese, vibrant vegetables, and a light vinaigrette for a meal that’s as wholesome as it is delicious. We’ll explore how to build the perfect farro salad, walk through every step of the recipe, and answer your top questions about customization and storage. Plus, we’ll link you to other variations, like our summer farro salad and farro caprese salad, for even more plant-powered inspiration.

From Farmers’ Markets to Kitchen Table: My Journey to Farro Goat Cheese Salad

Why Farro and Goat Cheese Just Work

When I think about comfort food that doesn’t weigh you down, farro always comes to mind. It’s chewy, slightly nutty, and so much more satisfying than typical salad grains. I first discovered it at a Portland farmers’ market paired with roasted beets and tangy goat cheese—and I was hooked. That combination triggers memories of backyard gardens, late summer dinners, and cozy evenings spent testing vegetarian recipes with friends under soft string lights.

Fast forward to today, and this farro goat cheese salad is in regular rotation at my table. Whether I’m entertaining omnivores or strictly plant-based folks, everyone grabs seconds. The farro provides a hearty base, the goat cheese adds creaminess and zing, and fresh herbs and vegetables make the dish pop with color and freshness every time.

A Salad That Checks All the Boxes

What makes this recipe stand out? It hits that perfect spot between healthy and indulgent. The fiber-rich farro keeps you full, the goat cheese satisfies your creamy cravings, and the lemony vinaigrette brightens everything up. Best of all, it’s flexible—you can toss in seasonal veggies, swap proteins, or even try it warm or cold. Sound familiar? This versatility echoes what I love in my other fare like Charlie Bird’s farro salad, another satisfying, make-ahead-friendly favorite.

This dish isn’t just tasty—it’s smart cooking, perfect for meal prep or a weekend potluck. And with the variety of textures, colors, and nutrients, even skeptical salad-eaters will be won over.

Whether it’s your first time cooking farro or you’re a long-time grain lover, this farro goat cheese salad brings accessible elegance to your plant-based menu. Now let’s get into what you’ll need and exactly how to assemble this crowd-pleaser.

Building the Perfect Farro Goat Cheese Salad

Ingredients List That Hits All the Notes

This farro goat cheese salad brings together contrasting textures and bright, Mediterranean-inspired flavors:

Ingredient	Details and Substitutions
Farro	1 cup uncooked; pearled cooks faster. Substitute: barley or quinoa
Goat cheese	1/2 cup crumbled; creamy and tangy. Try feta as an alternative
Arugula	2 cups; adds peppery freshness. Use spinach if preferred
Cherry tomatoes	1 cup halved; sweet and juicy
Cucumber	1/2 sliced; adds crunch
Red onion	1/4 thinly sliced; optional but adds a zingy bite
Fresh mint + basil	A handful each; brightens everything up
Simple vinaigrette	Olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper (optional: garlic, Dijon mustard)

Cooking Timeline and Prep Tips

From start to serving bowl, this recipe takes around 40 minutes:

10 minutes prep time
25–30 minutes to cook farro (less if using precooked)
5 minutes assembly

That’s about 20% faster than most composed grain salads. If you’re in a rush, precooked farro (available in some health stores) saves extra time. Bonus: this salad can be made in advance and actually gets better after a few hours in the fridge.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Maximum Flavor

Rinse and cook 1 cup farro in 3 cups lightly salted water. Bring to a boil, reduce, and simmer for 25 minutes or until tender but chewy. Drain and let cool slightly.
While farro cooks, prep your veg: halve tomatoes, slice cucumber and onion, and roughly chop herbs.
In a large bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, juice of one lemon, salt, and pepper. Add a clove of minced garlic or a squeeze of Dijon to heighten flavor.
Toss cooked farro into the dressing while warm—it absorbs flavor better that way.
Fold in vegetables and herbs, combining gently.
Just before serving, crumble in goat cheese and top with extra herbs or cracked pepper.

You can serve this warm for a comforting twist or chilled for a refreshing take. For a warm-weather version, see our fresh cucumber farro salad, perfect for picnics.

Nutritional and Flavor Perks of Farro Goat Cheese Salad

The Nutrition Story Behind Farro

Farro isn’t just flavorful—it’s packed with nutrition. One cup delivers upwards of 7 grams of fiber and 8 grams of protein, making this an excellent base for a complete meal. Unlike quinoa, farro has a slightly denser structure, offering more bite and less mush—a dream texture in salads. According to Whole Grains Council, farro contains important minerals like magnesium, iron, and zinc that boost long-term wellness.

Combined with vegetables and olive oil, the dish supports heart health and provides sustained energy without a heavy feeling. The goat cheese adds calcium and probiotics in moderation, rounding out the salad’s creamy character.

Tasting Notes and Pairing Potential

The flavor profile is balanced—vibrant, herby, tangy, and nutty. The greens offer a peppery layer, cucumbers cool it down, and tomatoes bring in a hint of summer sweetness. Paired with goat cheese, each bite delivers soft acid and a velvety contrast to farro’s chewy grains.

This salad makes a perfect side alongside grilled tofu skewers or a light lentil soup like our Bartolini farro soup. It also works as a standalone lunch or picnic item. For something heartier, serve it over massaged kale and roasted chickpeas. There really isn’t a wrong way to enjoy it.

Elevating and Customizing Farro Goat Cheese Salad

Creative Add-Ins for Every Season

This salad acts like a canvas—you can easily adjust it depending on what you’ve got in your kitchen or what’s in season. Some fun versions include:

Roasted squash in the fall
Asparagus and peas in the spring
Pomegranate seeds in winter—adds sweet crunch

Want something more filling? Add roasted chickpeas or cooked lentils. Interested in earthy undertones? Stir in some savory mushrooms like in our farro mushroom recipe. For Italians-at-heart, a few olives might echo flavors from our farro pasta dish.

Making It Meal-Prep and Leftover Friendly

This salad stores like a champ. Just keep the goat cheese separate until ready to serve. Store the base in an airtight container for up to 4 days. If the salad dries out, a splash of olive oil or lemon juice revives it beautifully.

For protein variation, feel free to roll this into a wrap or bowl with tahini sauce. You can even mix in cooked lentils or white beans for extra heft.

Speaking of storing—wrap cooked farro in parchment before refrigerating, which helps prevent clumps and sogginess when reheated.

FAQ

What ingredients go in a goat cheese farro salad?
A great farro goat cheese salad will typically include cooked farro, crumbled goat cheese, leafy greens like arugula or spinach, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and fresh herbs like mint and basil. A lemony olive oil vinaigrette ties it all together. Feel free to customize with roasted veggies or nuts for added texture.
Should I serve this salad warm or cold?
Both work! Serve it warm for a comfort-food-style dish or enjoy it cold as a refreshing packed lunch. Letting it sit for a bit after dressing allows the farro to absorb even more flavor.
Can feta replace goat cheese here?
Definitely. Feta brings a saltier, firmer texture but still balances beautifully against farro and greens. Just be mindful of quantity—feta is bolder, so you might want to use slightly less.
How do you store leftovers without the cheese drying out?
Store the salad in an airtight container and keep the goat cheese in a separate compartment until you’re ready to serve. When reheating or pulling it from the fridge, add a small drizzle of olive oil or lemon to rehydrate the farro if needed.

Conclusion

Farro goat cheese salad doesn’t just taste amazing—it’s a celebration of wholesome ingredients, flexible prep, and vibrant flavors. Whether cold or warm, for lunch or dinner, it’s a go-to dish that wins over both plant-based lovers and curious taste testers. If you’re feeling inspired, explore other farro-based creations like our Italian farro soup or summer Mediterranean-style bowl. With its satisfyingly nutty grains and creamy finish, farro goat cheese salad shows that healthy food doesn’t have to be dull—it can be entirely crave-worthy.

Farro Goat Cheese Salad: A Wholesome Twist on a Comfort Classic