How to Make Instant Pot Farro (Easiest Recipe!!)

How to Make Instant Pot Farro (Easiest Recipe!!)

Learn how to make the BEST Instant Pot Farro. Make farro in the Instant Pot so that you can add these delicious, hearty & chewy grains to any meal. Nutritious farro is packed with fiber, protein and iron. 

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Lately, I can’t seem to get enough of farro.

I’ve been swapping it in place of rice or quinoa in grain bowls like these Sweet Potato & Chickpea Buddha BowlsYumm Sauce BowlsQuinoa Taco Bowls, or Chicken Gyro Bowls. 

I’ve also been using it in hearty salad recipes like this Farro Salad with Basil Lemon Tahini Dressing or this Pesto Farro Salad with Pecans.

And just like with my rice and quinoa, I’ve found that the easiest and fastest way to cook grains is in the Instant Pot.

Bowl of uncooked farro.Bowl of uncooked farro.

First thing’s first…

What is farro?

  • Farro is a grain like rice or quinoa, but it’s packed with an amazing amount of fiber and protein. It supplies you with more than 10 different vitamins and minerals and is lower in gluten than most wheat. You’ll typically find in near the rice in your grocery store. 

I love that farro has a hearty, chewy texture and an almost nutty flavor to it.

Uncooked farro on small speckled plate. Uncooked farro on small speckled plate.

Instant pot farro water ratio

The ratio of farro to water you’ll want to add to your instant pot is 1:3 (aka 3 cups water for every one cup of farro).

How to cook farro in the instant pot

  • Rinse 1 cup farro.
  • Add to your pressure cooker with 3 cups water or bone broth.
  • Place lid on pot, set valve to the sealing position and cook on MANUAL high pressure for 12 minutes.
  • Allow pressure to release naturally then remove lid.
  • Drain any remaining liquid.
  • Enjoy!

How to add flavor

There are a few options for adding even more flavor to your farro.

  1. Toast the farro in the Instant Pot before adding the cooking liquid using the SAUTE function. You can even brown it in a bit of butter.
  2. Cook the farro in bone broth, chicken stock or beef stock to add more flavor. (I love making my bone broth in the Instant Pot too!)
  3. Add aromatics like onion, shallot, garlic or fresh herbs to the liquid before cooking.

Freezing farro

Once it’s finished, I like to portion the farro into freezer bags or an airtight container to have on hand for when I’m needing some cooked farro – especially handy when I get a craving for this Farro Salad with Basil Lemon Tahini Dressing.

Overhead close up of cooked farro in serving bowl with spoon. Overhead close up of cooked farro in serving bowl with spoon.

Reheating frozen farro

Just thaw the farro in the fridge overnight, or reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a tablespoon of water and covering the bowl or pan. It will take about a minute in the microwave. On the stove, heat on low until heated through. 

FAQs

What is the ratio of water to farro?

Use 3 cups of broth or water per cup of farro that you’re cooking. So, if you’re cooking 1/2 cup of farro, use 1 1/2 cups of liquid.

How much does 1 cup of dried farro make?

1 cup of dried farro will make about 2 1/2 cups of cooked farro.

Does farro need to be soaked before cooking?

You do not need to soak farro before cooking.

Do you rinse farro before cooking?

Yes. Farro is typically coated with a powdery substance. So, it’s best to rinse it before cooking. Just add it to a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold running water.

How to use it

You can stir your cooked farro into soups or stews, or use it in one of these yummy recipes:

Bowl of cooked instant pot farro. Bowl of cooked instant pot farro.

More instant pot staples

Did you try this instant pot farro recipe?

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Overhead shot of cooked instant pot farro in white bowl with serving spoon.Overhead shot of cooked instant pot farro in white bowl with serving spoon.

  • 1 cup  farro (rinsed and drained)
  • 3 cups bone broth (stock or water)
  • Add farro and water (or stock) the pot.

  • Seal the lid and cook on MANUAL high pressure for 12 minutes.

  • Allow the pressure to release naturally, then drain off any excess liquid.

  • It will take about 15 minutes for the pressure to build in the pot, and about 10 minutes for the pressure to release, so I’ve found that it’s quicker to make farro on the stovetop, but the Instant Pot is great if you’re looking for a fuss-free option.
  • For added nutty flavor, try toasting your farro in the Instant Pot with a bit of butter using the SAUTE setting before adding the cooking liquid.

Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 12g | Sodium: 72mg | Potassium: 165mg | Fiber: 9g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1.5mg

This post was originally published in 2019. It was updated in 2022 to add new information, and again in 2024 to add new photographs. The recipe remains the same. Enjoy!

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