Farro with Pesto, Tomatoes and Pecans

farro salad vegetarian

This post is sponsored by American Pecans.

Lately none of us has access to all the fresh ingredients we used to (remember when you’d run to the market for a forgotten item just…anytime? Those were the days.) But maybe the upside to this reliance on non-perishable pantry staples, for me and my family at least, has been that we’ve gotten more creative in the kitchen, more intentional about meal planning, and certainly less wasteful. We’ve also begun eating a lot more plant-based meals, which has been wonderful. I’m always looking for new ways to add great flavor and nutrition to our meals, and I think it’s safe to say that quarantine has made me reexamine the value of all those nonperishables that I used to overlook—all the grains, canned beans and veggies, jarred sauces, nuts…etc.

ingredients in farro salad

This easy and convenient farro salad is one of the delicious creations to come out of my quarantine kitchen and let me tell you, I’ll be making it long after social distancing ends. It’s made with shelf-stable ingredients like whole grain farro, jarred artichoke hearts (or canned), and jarred basil pesto, long-lasting Parmesan cheese, and shelled pecans, which add not only a delicious crunch but also protein, fiber, good fats* and essential minerals (and they stay fresher longer in the refrigerator or freezer)!

The only fresh ingredients in the recipe are grape tomatoes and fresh parsley, but you could skip one or both and the flavor would still be fabulous.

That said, grape tomatoes add a juicy pop of sweetness that I find irresistible. The pesto—whether you use jarred (as recommended for ease) or make your own—gives the chewy farro grains a savory, herby depth. Parmesan shavings lend sharpness and add to the overall richness. And then there are the warm, toasty pecans, the perfect addition to this savory salad. This versatile ingredient provides sweet, nutty flavor and great crunchy texture to every bite. They also offer plant-based protein and are a good source of fiber, which helps you feel fuller longer making this a perfect side dish – or even a main! It was so delicious that we ate the whole thing within 24 hours.

farro salad vegetarian

I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

farro salad vegetarian
Print Recipe
4.95 from 18 votes

Farro with Pesto, Tomatoes and Pecans

This delicious and nutritious whole grain salad is great hot or cold and it’s made with easy and convenient shelf-stable ingredients like whole grain farro, jarred artichoke hearts, and jarred basil pesto, long-lasting Parmesan cheese, and shelled pecans.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Course: party food, Salads, Vegetarian
Keyword: farro salad, vegetarian recipes, whole grain salad
Servings: 6
Calories: 288kcal

Ingredients

  • ½ cup pecan halves
  • 1 cup farro, rinsed
  • cup basil pesto, store bought or homemade
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup artichoke hearts, chopped (from a jar or can, packed in water)
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes, cut into quarters (½ of a pint)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Scatter the pecan halves on a baking sheet and bake until fragrant and toasted, about 8 minutes. Let cool enough to handle, then chop them coarsely.
  • Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the farro with 3 cups water. Bring to a boil, stir, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the grains are tender but still chewy, about 20 minutes. Drain off the excess water and fluff the farro with a fork. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool slightly. Stir in the pesto to coat all of the grains. Stir in the Parmesan, artichokes, tomatoes, and toasted pecans. Taste and season with salt and pepper as desired.

Notes

*One serving of pecans (28g) has 18g unsaturated fat and only 2g saturated fat.

Nutrition

Calories: 288kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 586mg | Potassium: 196mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 557IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 133mg | Iron: 1mg
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41 thoughts on “Farro with Pesto, Tomatoes and Pecans

  1. Rommel Beloy

    5 stars
    Thank you for your article, this really inspired me to eat healthy food for better and healthy lives. I am grateful to this article and shorturl.at/brITV weigh loss program, that I starting to see the benefits. Hoping other people do the same.

    Reply
  2. Alexa DuPonts

    5 stars
    Thank you for inspiring us, all the people that struggle with the same challenges, especially now during the lockdown.

    Reply
  3. Liz Robison

    5 stars
    I made the recipe, as written, and it was delicious. Much prefer it warm to cold. Next time I will reduce the Pesto and Parmesan, to lighten up the recipe just a bit, as I am trying to lose a few pounds. I suspect this will still taste great. I see your new Farro recipe and intend to make it, but with fat free Greek yogurt, instead of mayonnaise. Thanks for introducing me to Farro!

    Reply
  4. Adrienne

    I just made this recipe and it’s delicious. I used walnuts instead of pecans, because that’s what I had on hand. It was so easy and quick to make. I’ve been following your website since reading your book. It has encouraged me to make some difficult, but necessary changes. I’m excited to find that eating healthier can be delicious. Thank you!

    Reply
  5. snow rider

    This recipe looks absolutely delicious! I love how hearty and wholesome farro is, and pairing it with pesto, roasted tomatoes, and pecans sounds like the perfect combo of fresh, savory, and nutty.

    Reply
  6. Block Breaker

    This farro salad with pesto, tomatoes, and pecans looks delicious! Using pantry staples is so smart. It reminds me of strategically planning moves in a game like Block Breaker – you need to make the most of what you have. This recipe seems like a culinary Block Breaker, smashing through mealtime boredom with simple ingredients to create something fantastic. I’m definitely trying this out!

    Reply
  7. tung tung

    5 stars
    This dish looks so tasty! Farro is such a hearty grain, and mixing it with pesto, roasted tomatoes, and pecans sounds like an amazing blend of freshness, richness, and crunch.

    Reply
  8. AI Cartoon Generator

    This farro salad recipe sounds absolutely delicious and perfect for these times when we’re all trying to be more mindful of using pantry staples! I love the idea of incorporating pecans for that extra crunch and nutritional boost. It’s great that you can adjust the fresh ingredients based on what you have on hand. I’m definitely going to try this! Also, if anyone is looking for a fun way to spice up their social media, you should check out AI Cartoon Generator to create unique profile pictures.

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    This farro salad sounds absolutely delicious! I’m always looking for new and easy recipes that utilize pantry staples, and this one hits the mark. I love the idea of adding pecans for extra crunch and flavor. It’s great to see a recipe that’s both tasty and nutritious. If you enjoy creating unique characters, be sure to check out Character Headcanon Generator. I can’t wait to try making this salad.

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  10. AI Beauty Rating

    This farro salad sounds absolutely delicious, and perfect for these times when we’re all trying to be more resourceful with our pantries! I love the idea of incorporating pecans for that extra crunch and nutritional boost. It’s great to see a recipe that’s both tasty and emphasizes healthy ingredients. I’ve been thinking about changing up my own routine, maybe I’ll try to revamp my look using AI Beauty Rating to find some new inspiration.

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  11. Markdown to Word

    This farro salad sounds absolutely delicious and like a perfect way to use pantry staples! I especially appreciate the focus on plant-based ingredients and how the recipe highlights the versatility of pecans. I’m definitely going to try this, especially with the recommendation for using shelf-stable ingredients, which is so helpful. I often write out my recipes in Markdown, so I can easily organize and convert it into a Word document using Markdown to Word.

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  14. 8 ball pool

    5 stars
    It’s true, getting fresh ingredients is harder these days. But on the bright side, pantry staples are sparking kitchen creativity! We’re planning meals better and wasting less. More plant-based dishes too! It’s like rediscovering the grains and beans I used to ignore. Speaking of rediscovering, anyone else been hooked on 8 Ball Pool lately? A good pantry and a quick game, that’s my kind of day.

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  15. waffle

    5 stars
    This farro salad looks absolutely delicious and so vibrant! I love the combination of pesto, tomatoes, and pecans – such a perfect mix of flavors and textures. It’s great to hear how you’re finding creative ways to use pantry staples and incorporating more plant-based meals. I’m definitely going to try this recipe out!

    Reply

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