Apple Pecan Farro Salad – Tender farro grains are tossed with a homemade apple cider vinaigrette, pecans, dried cranberries, and spring greens.
After a little hiatus, I am back! Turns out adding one more kid into the mix (along with a more demanding job and a ongoing pandemic) started to take a toll on my schedule. For the sake of my mental health, I took a little break from the blog. Now that I seem to have a great routine in place, it finally feels right to come back to blogging!
My first recipe after the break is for a yummy salad I started eating tons of at the beginning of 2021. Just like many of you, I use January to detox from all the sugar I binged during the holidays and try to enjoy more veggies and salads. This salad is a new one that I added to my routine that has tons of flavors, textures, and nutrients. Oh and how can I forget the bold homemade dressing that’s incredibly easy to make?!
I present to you my Apple Pecan Farro Salad with a Dijon mustard vinaigrette!
Dijon Vinaigrette
When making a salad, the first thing I like to do is make the dressing. I make it in the serving bowl to save myself from using a separate bowl that I’ll just have to clean later. When the dressing is done, you just add in the ingredients and toss all together. Simple as that!
For this dressing, we’re using ingredients you might already have at home: apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and olive oil. Whisk them together with salt and that’s all there is to it!
Making the salad
Once the dressing is done, it’s time to add in the ingredients. First, cook the farro so it’s al dente. It’s a pretty hearty grain so make sure it’s not too firm so that it has a good bite. I like to add it straight to the dressing when it’s still a little warm so it can really absorb the flavors in the vinaigrette.
Next you add in the diced apples, pecan halves, and cranberries and toss together. Finally, add in the spring mix and toss until all combined.
Tips & Tricks
- This salad only gets better over time. However, the greens will wilt if they sit with dressing for too long. Therefore, don’t add the greens to the salad and dressing until right before serving.
- Make sure you use pure maple syrup for the dressing. The fake stuff has added flavors to make it taste more “maple-like” so it will make the dressing taste funny. If you can’t find the pure stuff, just use honey instead.
Apple Pecan Farro Salad
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 1 cup uncooked farro (2 cups cooked)
- 2 gala apples
- ¼ cup pecan halves
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries
- 3 cups spring mix salad
For the dressing:
- 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Cook farro according to package instructions and season with a pinch of salt. Let it cool to room temperature before using.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Add in the farro and toss to coat in the dressing. Core and dice the apples and add to the farro, along with the dried cranberries, and pecans. Toss all together.
- Right before serving, add in the 3 cups of greens and toss to combine with the rest of the salad.
Notes
Pin for later:
More recipes you’ll love:
Lemon Avocado Pasta Salad
Citrus Almond Chicken Salad
Southern Cobb Salad
How many servings is this?
I made this salad over the weekend. It’s delicious. This recipe is definitely a keeper. I will make it again and again. Thanks!
What a beautiful salad! I love the light dressing/vinaigrette too. Farro is so nutty and yummy and goes great with all the other ingredients.
One of the best and delicious salad combo. I just love the recipe. Thanks for sharing.
I eat a big, hearty salad every single day for lunch, and this one fits perfectly into my routine – cannot wait to give it a try, I’m adding farro to my shopping list right now!
I couldn’t think of a better salad for the spring/summer months! I’ve been craving a salad with fresh ingredients like this!
This looks like my kind of salad with fresh fruit! I love all the simple ingredients too!
Farro is one of my favorite grains, and I’m always looking for new ways to use it. Thank you for this delicious salad recipe!
The combination of greens with the hearty farro, sweet apples and crunchy pecans have everything a salad needs! Makes for a delicious lunch!
Apples and pecans are a perfect pairing for these greens and that Dijon dressing!
Yummy! I love apples in salad. What a delicious combination. Perfect for a girlfriend’s lunch.
Anything with apples and pecans and I’m so there! Looks like a delicious salad!
Your pictures are perfect, definitely make me want to eat this salad now! Saving for later, hoping to make this salad soon.
This salad recipe is new to me! i love it! Thanks a lot for sharing! im so excited to try new things that looks amazing!
So many great ingredients in this salad. I loooove farro!
This looks absolutely delicious! My wife will surely love to have a bowl of this Apple Pecan Farro Salad.
Farro is one of my favorite grains because it has so much body. Adding it to the salad makes such a satisfying dish!
Farro is one of those ingredients that does not get used as often as others. I love the texture and almost nutty flavour it adds to recipes. This sounds like a great salad for lunch or a light meal in the evening.
None can get bored of eating salads with these kinds of beautiful recipes. Thank you!