Did you know that you can cook farro in a rice cooker? You can! This handy appliance can cook so much more than rice. Follow along and I'll show you how to cook perfect farro in the most fuss free way possible. Use it to enhance soups, stews and salads. Its nutty flavor and chewy texture adds a unique twist to any dish it's added to.
Jump to:
This recipe is part of my new rice cooker series. Ever since I purchased this handy appliance, I've been experimenting with cooking different foods in it. Rice cookers making cooking everything from beans to couscous easy and fuss free.
If you haven't seen the other recipes in this series, be sure to check out:
- Mexican Rice In A Rice Cooker
- Sticky Rice
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Wild Rice In A Rice Cooker
- How To Cook Lentils In A Rice Cooker
- Cous Cous In A Rice Cooker
- Basmati Rice In A Rice Cooker
But, today we're talking about one of my all time favorite grains, farro! And, yes, you can easily cook farro in a rice cooker.
It does take a bit longer than cooking it on the stovetop or in an Instant Pot, but the advantage is that you can dump the farro into the rice cooker, add the water, turn it on and walk away. The rice cooker does all the heavy lifting.
I love the fact that I can put anything in the rice cooker and it stops cooking on its own, AND it keeps the food warm until you're ready to eat it. Plus, grains and beans don't burn in a rice cooker. The cleanup is minimal. All great things!
What Is Farro?
Farro is an ancient grain that originated in the fertile crescent (around 17,000 years ago), where it was found in tombs of Egyptian Kings, and was reputed to have sustained the Roman legions. Farro has been mentioned as far back as the Old Testament, and is the oldest grain known to man.
It's a high protein, high fiber, whole grain wheat that has a nutty flavor and a chewy texture, similar to brown rice and barley. Farro is a glutinous grain, so if you are on a gluten free diet, this isn't the grain for you.
The word farro actually encompasses three different types, which can make it a confusing grain to buy. Here's the 3 types of farro:
- Whole Farro: Whole farro has the bran fully intact. When cooking this type of farro, you'll need to soak it for at least 30 minutes, or ideally overnight.
- Semi Pealed Farro: Semi pearled farrow has part of the bran intact. It's the kind of farro you'll typically find in Italy.
- Pearled Farro: Pearled farro has all of the bran removed, and is the quickest cooking variety available.
In the USA farro is almost always sold pearled, so the rice cooker instructions you'll find on the recipe card below are intended to be used with pearled farro.
Is Farro Gluten Free?
No, farro is not gluten free. Farro is a variety of wheat, so it does contain gluten. If you are on a gluten free diet, it's important to avoid farro.
Having said that, farro is known as superfood because it's packed with nutrition. One serving provides about 200 calories, 7 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber (Mayo Clinic).
How To Cook Farro In A Rice Cooker
- Rinse the farro under cold water to remove the bitter flavor of the husks.
- Add the farro and water to the bowl of your rice cooker.
- Set the rice cooker to cook. If your rice cooker has a timer, set it for 45 minutes.
Storage
✅Store dried, uncooked farro in a cool, dry place, away from heat and light. A cool pantry or refrigerator is ideal. Farro will stay fresh for up to one year when stored properly.
✅Store leftover cooked farro in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
✅Cooked farro can be frozen. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Spread the cooked farro out evenly over the tray and freeze for two hours. Transfer the frozen grains to a freezer safe container. Farro should stay fresh in the freezer for up to 1 year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Farro has far more carbohydrates than protein. Having said that, it does contain a relatively high amount of protein compared to other grains. ¼ cup of farro provides 30 grams of carbs and 6 grams of protein.
Farro is a much healthier alternative to white rice and other refined grains. It's high in fiber, protein, magnesium, zinc and B Vitamins.
Farro and barley are very similar. Farro tends to be a bit more oblong and slightly darker in color than barley. Farro has quite a bit more protein than barley, but you can use these two grains interchangeably in most recipes.
Craving More Easy Vegan Recipes?
Vegan Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Panera Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich
📖 Recipe
How To Cook Farro In A Rice Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 cup pearled farro
- 3 cups water
Instructions
- Rinse the farro under cold water to remove the bitter flavor of the husks.
- Add the farro and water to the bowl of your rice cooker.
- Set the rice cooker to cook. If your rice cooker has a timer, set it for 45 minutes.
Notes
- Store leftover cooked farro in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
- Cooked farro can be frozen. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Spread the cooked farro out evenly over the tray and freeze for two hours. Transfer the frozen grains to a freezer safe container. Farro should stay fresh in the freezer for up to 1 year.
Comments
No Comments