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Farro, Cranberry and Goat Cheese Salad

Farro Cranberry and Goat Cheese Salad is an easy salad recipe that is perfect for serving as a hearty side dish. It’s a must for your holiday table! 

If you’re looking for a hearty side dish to serve this fall or at your holiday celebrations, this Farro Salad with Goat Cheese and Cranberries is everything. It has nutty farro, tart cranberries and creamy goat cheese. Then it is all tossed in a sweet and tangy balsamic vinaigrette.

All of these ingredients make this a hearty, healthy, flavorful salad that is a must have addition to your table. 

Let’s talk about what ingredients you’ll need and how to get it on your table!

What ingredients you’ll need:

Farro Salad ingredients.
  • FARRO: A grain with nutty flavor. You can usually find it in the aisle with other grains. I used Bob’s Red Mill Farro.
  • BALSAMIC VINEGAR: The sweet flavor of balsamic is a must for this recipe. Don’t substitute another vinegar. 
  • DIJON MUSTARD: A little spicier and tangier than yellow mustard. In a pinch you can substitute yellow mustard or even stone ground. 
  • GARLIC POWDER: Or granulated garlic. If you use garlic salt, keep in mind that goat cheese is salty and you don’t want to over salt the dish. 
  • ROSEMARY: I used dried but you can use fresh. Instead of 1/2 teaspoon you’ll use 2 teaspoons of fresh. 
  • OLIVE OIL 
  • DRIED CRANBERRIES: These work so well with the balsamic and the goat cheese. They add a burst of sweet flavor. 
  • PARSLEY: Adds color and a bit of freshness. 
  • GOAT CHEESE CRUMBLES: I adore goat cheese. It’s tangy and creamy and works very well in salads. It’s easier to use the crumbles in this salad. If you have a log of goat cheese make sure that it’s really cold so that it is easier to crumble. 

How do you make Farro Salad?

Just like any salad, this Farro Salad is pretty easy to make. You will need to cook the farro. Simply follow the directions on the package. Follow along with these Step by Step Photos and Instructions. 

  • STEP #1: Cook farro and allow to cool. It is important to allow it to cool so that it’s not too hot when you add the goat cheese. 
  • STEP #2: Whisk together the dressing. I like to do this when the farro is cooking so it has a chance for the flavors to meld before I pour it over the salad. 
  • STEP #3: Combine cooled farro, cranberries, parsley and goat cheese in a bowl. 
  • STEP #4: Just before serving toss the salad with the dressing. 

Storage and leftovers:

This salad makes great leftovers! I love serving it for lunch the next day. I do try to let it come to room temperature again before serving. Usually stays fresh for 3 – 4 days in the refrigerator.

Spoonful of farro salad.

Recipe FAQ:

What is farro?

For those that don’t know, farro is a grain popular in rustic Italian cooking. It has a nutty flavor and works well as a substitute for rice or pasta.  So really, if you have some, you can do just about anything with it. Make a risotto with it. Serve it underneath some chicken curry or a hot pasta sauce. For this recipe, I chose to make a salad. And now, seeing how versatile it actually is, I am excited to see what else I can do with it.

Is farro a carb or a protein?

It’s a protein! That is one of the things I love about this salad is that it is hearty and will keep you full for a long time.

Not only is this salad a great addition to your holiday table, but it is also great the next day for lunches!

Check out some of my other favorite salad recipes:

This Chickpea Salad is another hearty dish that makes a great lunch or side dish!

Cold Green Bean Salad is one of my favorite things to do with green beans and it is SO pretty on the table!

This Spinach Cranberry Salad is a must make for your holiday season!

I hope you love this Farro, Cranberry and Goat Cheese Salad recipe as much as we do! See how to easy it is to make this Farro, Cranberry and Goat Cheese Salad Below.

 

Note: This post was originally posted in 2012. It was updated in 2017 and again in 2022 with new photos, step by step photos, a video and nutrition information.

Spoonful of farro salad.

Farro, Cranberry and Goat Cheese Salad

Cranberry Farro Salad is an easy salad recipe that is perfect for serving as a Thanksgiving side dish. It's a must for your holiday table!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 6 Servings
Calories 483 kcal

Ingredients
  

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups pearled farro
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup sweetened dried cranberries
  • 1/3 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
  • 8 ounces goat cheese crumbles

Instructions
 

  • Cook farro according to package directions. Drain. Transfer to a bowl to cool.
  • While farro is cooking, whisk balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, garlic powder and rosemary together in a bowl. Slowly whisk in olive oil until emulsified. Allow to sit at room temperature.
  • Once farro has cooled, toss with cranberries, parsley and goat cheese.
  • When you are ready to serve the salad, pour dressing over the top. Toss well. Serve at room temperature.

Notes

It is important to let the farro cool before mixing the salad so that it doesn't melt the goat cheese. 
You can make this salad ahead of time and refrigerate it but just allow it to come to room temperature before serving.
Nutrition information for estimation purposes only. 

Nutrition

Calories: 483kcalCarbohydrates: 70gProtein: 14gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 159mgPotassium: 234mgFiber: 12gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 687IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 81mgIron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!
Keywords: balsamic dressing, Christmas, farro, Food, Goat Cheese, holiday, Recipe, salad, thanksgiving, Vegetarian

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Recipe Rating




  • Reply
    wonderful cook
    December 6, 2022 at 6:19 pm

    This farro salad sounds so healthy and delicious! I will definitely give it a try soon. Thanks.

  • Reply
    Mary t
    August 30, 2021 at 4:02 pm

    5 stars
    Can I freeze my Farro, cranberry goat cheese Salad ?

    • Reply
      Deseree
      August 31, 2021 at 5:40 pm

      I cannot recommend freezing, sorry!

  • Reply
    Theresa
    March 11, 2014 at 5:42 pm

    This was absolutely delicious! I loved the combination of the dressing with the craisins and goat cheese. We omitted the parsley and rosemary (we didn’t have any in the house), but added roasted pumpkin seeds for a crunch and nutritional boost. Your recipe is fantastic. Pinned! Thank you.

    • Reply
      Deseree
      March 12, 2014 at 6:04 pm

      I love the addition of the pumpkin seeds! Thanks for the pin! :)

  • Reply
    Lisa
    November 11, 2013 at 9:36 am

    Can’t wait to make this! Is that 2 cups of cooked farro or uncooked? Thx:)

    • Reply
      Deseree
      November 11, 2013 at 3:36 pm

      Hi Lisa! That is 2 cups uncooked farro. I hope you enjoy this!

  • Reply
    Karen
    September 18, 2013 at 2:42 pm

    This sounds great! If you have a Trader Joe’s near you, they also have been carrying Farro lately, but I’ll have to look for it in bulk now that I know Costco has it :)

  • Reply
    Julie @ Lovely Little Kitchen
    September 18, 2013 at 12:30 pm

    I just recently discovered farro. So good! Can’t wait to try this recipe soon.

  • Reply
    Laura
    November 19, 2012 at 8:42 pm

    I love farro! Pinning now!

  • Reply
    Kalyn
    November 16, 2012 at 7:30 pm

    So Jealous; wish my Costco would carry farro! The salad looks fantastic!

  • Reply
    StephenC
    November 15, 2012 at 9:26 am

    This is so wonderful. I must get to Whole Foods, the only place I can get farro. We use dried cranberries often in our house and are both fond of goat cheese. I’m thinking that gorgonzola might be good, especially given that I happen to have some in the fridge.

  • Des

    Hey! I'm Des!

    Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

    Read more »

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