Instant Pot Farro

Farro is one of my favorite grains. I try to keep a container in my pantry, and I love to add it to salads, serve it alongside dinner, or even eat in place of oatmeal.

Farro in white bowl topped with spices

This whole grain has a nutty, earthy flavor and a texture similar to oats or quinoa. It has more protein than rice, and people often substitute it for other grains because of its nutritional value.

However, many people shy away from farro because it can be tricky to make correctly.

I have tried to cook farro according to the instructions on the package many times, and somehow it always turns out too dry or too chewy. Something about my temperature-to-water ratio is always a little bit off, and too many times, I have simply forgotten about my farro on the stove and let it cook much longer than it needed to.

I created this Instant Pot farro recipe as an easy, reliable way to cook this tricky grain. The Instant Pot takes the guessing out of this dish, making it an easy, nutritious addition to any meal.

All you need is farro, water and salt and you have a delicious side dish!

Different Types of Farro

Farro is a mixture of three different grains: spelt, emmer, and einkorn. If you see any of these grains sold individually, they may also be called farro.

You can find it in whole, semi-pearled, and pearled varieties.

With that said, this recipe calls for pearled farro, since it's does not have an outer shell and therefore takes the least amount of time to cook.

Many people prefer to eat the whole variety of the farro because the shell has additional nutrients and protein. If you decide to use semi-pearled or whole forms of the grain, you will want to soak this  in water overnight before cooking to soften the shell.

How Long Does Instant Pot Farro Take to Make?

Cooking farro in an Instant Pot dramatically decreases the time needed to make the dish. The high pressure allows it to absorb water more quickly than it would on the stove.

Most farro recipes take at least 30 minutes to prepare, but cooking this whole grain in an Instant Pot cuts the cooking time down to 7 minutes. With just a minute or two of preparation time, you can make this dish from start to finish in less than 10 minutes.

Where Can I Buy Farro?

Most grocery stores sell farro. Check the grain aisle near the rice and quinoa or in the bulk foods section of your store.

Can I Use a Pressure Cooker Instead?

If an Instant Pot isn’t available, you can use a pressure cooker for most of my recipes. These two appliances have many of the same features, and though Instant Pots are more user-friendly and generally safer than pressure cookers, they both cook foods the same way.

Can I Halve or Double the Recipe?

You can make any amount of Instant Pot farro you want as long as you keep the proportions the same as the recipe states.

If you would like to make 1 cup instead of 2, for instance, you can halve the amounts listed below. For 3 cups, multiply the recipe amounts by 1.5.

Can I Keep the Leftovers?

One of the best benefits of cooking with farro is that these grains last for up to a year uncooked. You can always have a bag in your pantry to pull out and add to your dinner recipes.

Once you finish your Instant Pot farro recipe, you can eat the leftovers for up to 5 days. I usually cook about 3 cups at a time to use throughout the week. You can heat your leftovers in the microwave or sauté them along with some veggies.

Do I Have to Use Salt?

Salt is optional in this farro Instant Pot recipe, although I have found that it helps bring out the natural flavors of the grain. Feel free to leave it out of the recipe, add it to each serving, or replace it with other spices.

Is farro the same as wheat berries?

They share a similar taste and texture. They are both healthy you can make Instant Pot wheat berries when you want to try something new.

Is Farro Gluten-Free?

Farro is not gluten-free. It contains wheat, which is a type of gluten, and therefore it is not safe for people with Celiac disease to consume.

If you’re looking for a gluten-free dish, I have several rice recipes on my blog that you can try instead. Feel free to heck out this Instant Pot black rice or this Instant Pot brown rice.

What Can I Pair with My Farro?

Because it cooks so quickly, preparing this recipe is an easy way to add nutrients to any meal. You can add the grain to just about any dish that would go well with rice, quinoa, or couscous.

Try the beef and broccoli recipe for a savory dinner you can pair with the grain. Or, substitute rice with farro to serve alongside orange chicken.

You can even add it in the place of rice in the Instant Pot rice pudding to make this dessert heartier and more nutritious.

How to Cook Farro in Instant Pot

First, gather all of your ingredients.

Add farro and water into your Instant Pot.

Season with table salt or Himalayan pink salt. Stir to combine.

Close and lock the lid. Select the “Manual” setting and set the pressure to high. Set the timer for 7 minutes.

Once it’s done cooking, perform a natural pressure release.

Strain the farro and serve. You can run some olive oil over the top to add a bit more moisture and flavor.

Farro

Instant Pot Farro

A simple and healthy recipe that can be made in less than 10 minutes… Surely you will enjoy the nutty flavor and satisfying chewy texture of farro.
4.54 from 13 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: farro, grain, mediterranean
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Corrie

Ingredients

  • 1 cup farro
  • 2 cups water
  • ¼ teaspoon salt table or Himalayan

Instructions

  • Add the farro, water, and salt to the Instant Pot and stir.
  • Close the lid and cook on high pressure for 7 minutes.
  • Once the cooking cycle is done, wait for a natural pressure release.
  • Open the lid and drain any excess liquid.
  • Serve the farro and enjoy 🙂

Nutrition

Calories: 176kcal Carbohydrates: 39g Protein: 5g Fat: 1g Saturated Fat: 1g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 1g Sodium: 156mg Potassium: 140mg Fiber: 8g Sugar: 1g Vitamin A: 11IU Calcium: 18mg Iron: 1mg
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