This farro with mushrooms dish elevates the chewy whole grain to exceptional levels! It’s sautéed with garlic, aromatic herbs, and Parmesan cheese.
When Alex and I began our cooking journey together, we soon developed a fondness for farro. This ancient grain has a texture akin to barley but cooks much faster. We prepared a farro salad and took a taste. Wow, that’s actually delicious!
Nowadays, I relish making a batch as a nutritious side dish or as part of a grain bowl. This farro with mushrooms is packed with the delightful tastes of savory mushrooms, garlic, and fresh thyme and oregano. A splash of fresh lemon juice and some grated Parmesan cheese turn it into a side dish that everyone loves!
Craving more mushroom recipes? Try Mushroom Soup, Sautéed Mushrooms and Onions, Portobello Burger, and additional options.
Tips for farro with mushrooms
This farro with mushrooms is remarkably tasty and a definite crowd favorite. Even those who aren’t fans of mushrooms might be won over! The garlic, herbs, and cheese evoke memories of our Mushroom Pasta recipe that became a beloved choice among readers.
This recipe serves well as a healthy side dish and pairs wonderfully with baked salmon or cedar plank salmon. Alternatively, transform it into a vegetarian meal by including a few salads and cornbread. It’s suitable for any season. With its hearty grain and the deep flavors from the mushrooms, it feels ideal for fall and winter. Here are a few tips for this recipe:
– Farro consists of wheat, making it non-gluten-free. If you’re sensitive to gluten but wish to try this recipe, brown rice or millet would be excellent alternatives.
– Be sure to utilize the fresh herbs specified: they truly enhance the dish!
How to cook farro: two methods
Cooking the grain for this farro with mushrooms is simple and relatively quick! We appreciate that pearled farro cooks in just 15 to 20 minutes on the stovetop. It can also be prepared in an Instant Pot. Here are our two methods:
– Stovetop: Combine farro with 3 times the volume of water and a few pinches of salt in a saucepan. Bring it to a low boil, then cook uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes until the farro is soft.
– Instant Pot: Place farro, water, and kosher salt into the Instant Pot. Pressure cook on high for 7 minutes followed by a natural release for 7 minutes. Taking into account the “preheat” time, this method requires about 20 minutes in total and is entirely hands-off!
A note on types of farro
Farro can be found as whole, semi-pearled, or pearled. For this farro with mushrooms recipe, we suggest opting for pearled farro. Why? Because pearled farro cooks the fastest and is what you’re most likely to find at the store.
If you choose whole or semi-pearled, the upside is that they have slightly more nutrients (though the difference is minimal, hence our choice of pearled). To expedite cooking whole or semi-pearled farro, soaking it for an hour or overnight can help.
Ways to serve it
This farro with mushrooms makes a fantastic side dish for pan-seared chicken or baked salmon. It could also be enjoyed with sautéed shrimp on top or paired with pan-seared scallops for a fine dining experience.
I appreciate adding another green vegetable to the plate, such as sautéed broccolini or roasted asparagus.
Dietary notes
This farro with mushrooms recipe is vegetarian.
Farro with Mushrooms & Parmesan
This farro with mushrooms dish elevates the chewy whole grain to exceptional levels! It’s sautéed with garlic, aromatic herbs, and Parmesan cheese.
Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 6 as a side
Category: Side Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Ingredients:
– 1 ½ cups dry pearled farro or about 4 cups cooked
– 1 yellow onion
– 2 garlic cloves
– 8 ounces mixed mushrooms (such as baby portobello, shiitake, and oyster)
– ¼ cup finely chopped fresh thyme and oregano, loosely packed
– 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
– 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
– ½ cup Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese
– Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
Instructions:
1. Prepare the farro: If you’re using a pressure cooker, follow our Instant Pot Farro method. Otherwise, combine the farro in a saucepan with 4 ½ cups of water. Season with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and bring it to a low boil. Cook until tender, 15 to 20 minutes.