It’s officially fall, the kids are back in school and busy schedules resume, which can often equate to needing dinner in a pinch. Enter this Instant Pot Farro, a favorite in our home because its versatility as a side and its high nutritional value (just don’t tell the kiddos). Oh, and the fact that it requires barely any prep. So many wins! Read on to learn how to cook farro in the Instant Pot.
About farro
Farro is an ancient whole grain that has a nutty flavor and a slightly chewy texture, much more firm than rice although it looks similar. As far as nutrition goes, farro is high in protein, rich in fiber and low in fat. It’s a grain superfood of sorts and there are so many ways to incorporate it into your cooking. Add it to a soup, toss it in a salad, or sub it in for rice. We wrote more about farro when we shared a delicious Farro Chicken Bake recipe.
This Instant Pot Farro recipe is simple and quick. You can make it ahead of time and store it in your fridge if you’re planning on using it cold in a salad, or you can have it going in the Instant Pot as you’re preparing the rest of the meal.
A few things to note about farro:
- Is farro supposed to be crunchy? Cooked farrow should be plump and tender but chewy. If it’s crunchy, it’s likely not cooked all the way through. If you prefer really soft farro grains, increase the Instant Pot cooking time to 18 minutes.
- Does farro need to be rinsed? Yes. Similar to rice, farro has a dry, powdery coating and could contain other hidden debris, despite what the packaging states. Let’s play it safe and clean that off.
- What is the ratio of farro to water? This can vary. Different types of farro will absorb more liquid. Most farro will only need 1-1/2 cups of liquid per cup of grain but in our recipe, we used 2 cups of liquid to eliminate the need for guessing. If there’s extra liquid in the Instant Pot after cooking, drain it out.
How to cook farro in the Instant Pot
If you’re wondering if it’s possible to make a 10-minute farro, you are in luck. The Instant Pot makes this process a breeze and all you need is:
- 1 cup farro grains, rinsed
- 2 cups of water or broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For a 10-minute Instant Pot farro, you’ll have to soak the farro beforehand. If you’re using unsoaked farro, it will take about 15 minutes of cooking under high pressure.
Step 1
Combine the ingredients in the Instant Pot.
Step 2
Seal the lid and make sure the venting valve is locked. Cook it on high pressure for 15 minutes (10 minutes for soaked farro).
Step 3
When the Instant Pot is done cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally for five minutes and then manually release the rest of the pressure by unlocking the venting valve.
Step 4
If there is remaining liquid, drain it out. Your Instant Pot farro should be plump and tender but a tad chewy.
And, that’s it! Could this be any easier?! So much love for this Instant Pot farro! I hope it makes your weeknights a little bit easier. Happy fall, friends!
SOME OTHER RECIPES WE ARE SURE YOU WILL LOVE:
- Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings is the ultimate comfort food! The Instant Pot means you can prepare a batch of homemade Chicken and Dumplings in no time. It’s savory and comforting and the perfect dish for fall.
- Add this recipe for Coq Au Vin to your dinner recipe round-up. Chicken simmered in red wine with pearl onions, mushrooms, herbs and carrots, aka perfection.
- Our recipe for Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage will leave you with perfectly cooked veggies and corned beef that is fork tender. Let your Instant Pot take care of dinner tonight!
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Instant Pot Farro
Ingredients
- 1 cup farro grains rinsed
- 2 cups water or broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Add the farro, water or broth, and salt to the Instant Pot.
- Seal the lid and make sure the venting valve is locked.
- Select 15 minutes on high pressure. (You only need 10 minutes if farro was soaked first.)
- When finished cooking, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes then manually release the rest of the pressure.
- Drain any remaining liquid if present. The grains should be plump and tender but chewy.
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Notes
- If you soak your grains before you cook them then reduce the cooking time to 10 minutes.
- The grains should be plump and tender but chewy. If you want really soft farro grains, increase the cooking time to 18 minutes.
- Different types of farro will absorb more liquid. Most farro will only need 1-1/2 cups of liquid per cup of grain but by using 2 cups of liquid, you won’t need to guess. Just drain the extra liquid when it is done cooking.
natalia20041989
Thursday 19th of September 2019
Yum, very useful infos!Beautiful page☺
Dahn Boquist
Thursday 19th of September 2019
Thanks Natalia, I appreciate the compliment