Instant Pot Farro
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Farro is a chewy and hearty grain you may not have heard of before. It originates in Italy and describes three different grains: spelt, emmer, and einkorn. In today’s post, I’ll share the health benefits of farro, how to cook it, and some of my favorite ways to incorporate farro into healthy eating.
Nutrition and health benefits
1/4 cup of uncooked farro contains:
190 calories
1 gram of unsaturated fat
38 grams of carbohydrate
5 grams of fiber
6 grams of protein
Farro is also a great source of niacin, which keeps your skin, hair, and nails healthy; zinc, which is important for immunity; and magnesium, which is vital for bone strength and nerve and muscle function.
Though farro is a higher carbohydrate food, it is also higher in fiber than most other whole grains. Fiber keeps blood sugar levels in check, lowers cholesterol, and aids digestion. It also helps fill you up so that you can eat less.
Farro also has a decent amount of protein for a plant-based food. 1/4 cup of uncooked farro contains 6 grams of protein, nearly as much as one egg or 1/2 cup of cooked beans, each of which contains 7 grams of protein.
How to cook farro
Farro can be cooked on the stovetop like other grains, but I prefer cooking it in an Instant Pot. Instant Pots often save time and prevent you from having to stand around in the kitchen while your food cooks. Check out some of my other Instant Pot recipes here!
Instant Pot Farro
Ingredients
- 3 cups farro
- 4 1/2 cups water or broth
Instructions
- Add farro and water or broth to the Instant Pot and stir together.
- Close the lid and make sure the vent is set to "sealing". Select the "manual" setting for 7 minutes. It will take 10-15 minutes to come to pressure.
- Once the 7 minutes is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for 7 minutes, then release any remaining steam.
- Open the lid and serve right away or store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Farro recipes
Farro is a great addition to grain salads or soups. It can be substituted for many grains such as rice, barley, or quinoa in your favorite recipes or as a side dish. Some ways to incorporate farro into your diet are:
Farro is a great way to add more texture to your meals. Because it is a grain higher in protein and fiber, it will be a more filling addition to any meal. Cooking it in the Instant Pot saves time and allows you to not have to wait around in the kitchen while it cooks. Next time you’re looking for a new recipe, I suggest giving farro a try!
