What is Ina Garten’s famous farro salad?

Ina’s farro salad is a grain-based dish that combines cooked farro with cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, arugula, and a simple vinaigrette. It’s celebrated for being both rustic and elegant, full of chewy texture and fresh, tangy flavor.

What does Ina Garten put in her farro salad?

Ina’s version features farro, roasted cherry tomatoes, arugula, parsley, basil, olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice. The beauty of the dish lies in its simplicity—each ingredient stands out, making it both hearty and refreshing.

Can Ina’s farro salad be made in advance?

Absolutely. This salad not only holds up well but actually gets better after resting. Just add fresh greens right before serving to maintain their texture.

Is Ina Garten’s farro salad inspired by Charlie Bird?

Yes, Ina’s version was inspired by the Charlie Bird farro salad served in NYC, which also uses tomatoes and Parmesan. Ina simplified and plantified it to create her own signature twist.

Inas Farro Salad: 5 Irresistible Twists You’ll Love

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Inas farro salad is more than just a grain salad—it’s a dish that balances texture, bold composition, and earthy simplicity. You’ve probably come across it while flipping through a Barefoot Contessa cookbook or seen it glisten on a Sunday afternoon episode. From garden parties to weeknight dinners, this rustic-chic side has a way of transforming into the main event on any table.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the charm behind Ina Garten’s farro salad, how to craft your own inspired version, and why it resonates with so many food lovers—especially those drawn to plant-based cuisine. Along the way, I’ll share some personal flavor journeys and link you to other delicious farro-forward creations that extend beyond just one dish. Whether you’re finding your plant-based rhythm or just looking for a satisfying grain salad to pair with just about anything, this guide to Ina’s farro salad is for you.

Why Ina’s Farro Salad Has Become a Plant-Powered Staple

A Memory Plated in Grains

The first time I tasted farro in something other than soup, believe it or not, was during a day-long Barefoot Contessa binge on the Food Network. Ina’s farro salad caught my attention not because of some outrageous flavor combo, but because it looked like something that could show up on my table—elegant and down-to-earth.

I’d grown up eating tomato and zucchini salads with my mom, but Ina’s approach had a different vibe: upscale deli meets rustic backyard. Her harmony of chewy farro, roasted tomatoes, and fresh herbs reminded me of those summer backyard picnics, but with elevated intention. There were no shortcuts, and yet nothing fussy about it either.

So I tried it. And from there, “inas farro salad” joined the regular rotation in our household alongside beef farro soup for cold nights and creamy farro risotto when I needed comfort that didn’t come from cream. The best part? Once you nail this salad, its versatility lets you riff endlessly while staying rooted in Ina’s minimalist wisdom.

The Magic Behind the Simplicity

What gets people returning to inas farro salad isn’t flashiness—it’s balance. Tangy vinaigrette cuts the rich nuttiness of the farro, while fresh basil and arugula bring a peppery lift. Like uncorking a bottle of summer, each bite offers richness without heaviness.

Farro itself is an ancient hulled wheat that retains its texture and character even after cooking. It’s perfect for make-ahead meals and inviting to experimentation. If you love grain-based meals like the salmon farro bowl or even a miso salmon farro bowl, you know the grain’s appeal is all about chew and staying power.

As someone who steers plant-based, I quickly realized it’s one of those rare dishes beloved by omnivores and herbivores alike. The dish can hold its own next to grilled mains or become the meal itself with just a few tweaks (like adding roasted chickpeas or avocado). Ina’s original remains at the core, grounding every variation’s success in simplicity and good ingredients.

The Recipe Breakdown – Building Your Own Ina’s Farro Salad

Ingredients List: Core & Substitutions

Let’s gather what you’ll need for a wonderful plant-powered variation on inas farro salad. These ingredients strike the perfect balance between freshness and grainy richness:

1 cup pearled farro (sub barley or wheat berries if needed)
1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
¼ cup olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon lemon juice (or red wine vinegar)
1 garlic clove, finely minced
1 cup fresh arugula
⅓ cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh basil, thinly sliced
Sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
Optional: crumbled vegan feta, kalamata olives, roasted red peppers

A few of my favorite variations? Swap in roasted zucchini alongside baked farro combos or include farro straight from a batch of farro kale salad to double up flavor and nutrition.

Timing: Not Fast Food, But Not a Daylong Affair

One thing I appreciate about Ina’s recipes is how they value your time. This farro salad recipe comes together in about 45–50 minutes, but only about 15 of those minutes require your active attention.

Task	Time
Prepping Ingredients	10 minutes
Cooking Farro	30 minutes
Assembling Salad	10 minutes

That’s nearly 20% less time than your average grain salad, and it holds beautifully in the fridge for days.

Step-by-Step Instructions That Invite You In

Start by rinsing the farro under cold water to remove any excess starch. Bring 3 cups of salted water to a boil, then reduce to simmer and add the farro. Cook uncovered for about 30 minutes until just tender.
While the farro cooks, toss the halved cherry tomatoes with a teaspoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Roast at 400°F for 15–20 minutes.
In a wide bowl, whisk together the remaining olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Drain the cooked farro (don’t overcook it) and let cool slightly. Add it to the bowl with the vinaigrette while still warm—it soaks in the flavor better this way.
Add the roasted tomatoes, chopped herbs, and arugula. Toss gently to combine.
Taste. Adjust seasoning. Add extras like olives or vegan feta if desired.

The result? A salad that owns the table as confidently as it complements everything on it. According to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, farro is not only delicious but also a great source of plant-based protein, fiber, and B vitamins.

Variations, Nutritional Wins, and Make-Ahead Benefits

Nutritional Swagger of Farro

“Farro” might be trending more in circles that use words like ‘macro bowls,’ but its appeal lies beyond hashtags. It’s an ancient grain that’s nutritionally complex. Just ¼ cup dry farro gives you 7 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. That’s why hearty dishes like this offer satiety without heaviness.

Plus, recipes like farro lentil salad stack up plant-powered protein for people who think greens and grains alone won’t fill them up.

Eating more farro can support steady energy, better digestion, and even heart health due to its magnesium and antioxidant profile. Gluten-sensitive readers should opt for certified gluten-free farro (it exists!) or swap in quinoa for a similar vibe.

Why It Works Wonderfully for Make-Ahead Meals

Ina’s farro salad doesn’t wilt, drown in dressing, or lose texture over time. That’s why so many love it for meal prep, picnics, or potlucks. It improves overnight as the vinaigrette settles deeper into every grain.

You can make the whole batch ahead and serve it up to 3 days later with minimal effort. In fact, let it sit in the fridge for 24 hours and watch it get even better in flavor and cohesion. If using greens like arugula, add them just before serving for ultimate freshness.

Garden-Inspired Twists and Hosting with Ina’s Farro Salad

Customize with Seasonality

One of the things I love about sharing Ina’s farro salad at gatherings is how customizable it is with what’s growing near you. In the summer, I add grilled corn and fresh mint. In fall, I swap tomatoes for roasted butternut squash.

Farro plays the part of a reliable base, embracing seasonal produce like the blueberry farro salad does in spring. Each change breathes new life into the familiar formula without complicating it.

From Side Dish to Star

If you’re hosting, inas farro salad makes a stellar side dish with roasted vegetables or a centerpiece with a few elevated adds like vegan cheese and spiced nuts.

For dinner parties, offering it alongside grilled eggplant or a big vegetarian board lets guests appreciate a dish that’s as Instagram-worthy as it is craveable. For plant-powered eaters and omnivores alike, it always satisfies without stealing the spotlight—unless you let it.

FAQs

What is Ina Garten’s famous farro salad?
Ina’s farro salad is a grain-based dish that combines cooked farro with cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, arugula, and a simple vinaigrette. It’s celebrated for being both rustic and elegant, full of chewy texture and fresh, tangy flavor.
What does Ina Garten put in her farro salad?
Ina’s version features farro, roasted cherry tomatoes, arugula, parsley, basil, olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice. The beauty of the dish lies in its simplicity—each ingredient stands out, making it both hearty and refreshing.
Can Ina’s farro salad be made in advance?
Absolutely. This salad not only holds up well but actually gets better after resting. Just add fresh greens right before serving to maintain their texture.
Is Ina Garten’s farro salad inspired by Charlie Bird?
Yes, Ina’s version was inspired by the Charlie Bird farro salad served in NYC, which also uses tomatoes and Parmesan. Ina simplified and plantified it to create her own signature twist.

Conclusion: Grain Salad Greatness in Every Forkful

Ina’s farro salad isn’t just a recipe—it’s an example of how real-food ingredients, prepared thoughtfully, can produce memorable results again and again. Whether you’re adapting it to your garden’s yield, including it in a dinner spread, or making lunch ahead for the week, it slots into your life so easily.

From the first time I tossed warm farro with roasted tomato and herbs, I knew it would become a regular at my table. And now it’s yours too. Once you’ve made one variation? You’re only a few pantry swaps away from creating your next go-to farro masterpiece.

Ina’s Farro Salad: A Nutty, Hearty Classic Packed with Fresh Herbs and Flavor