15 Delicious Farro Substitutes

Farro is a versatile, nutritious, and flavorful wheat grain. It may be used in various cuisines or eaten on its own as a snack. It appeals to me since it adds a kick to any dish. Farro is an ancient grain that is only now regaining popularity, so getting your hands on it might be tricky. So, if you can’t locate any farro, don’t panic; there are plenty of replacements available. Barley, quinoa, wheat berries, brown rice, oat groats, winter wheat, spelled berries, teff, kasha, bulgur, or some of the following items are good alternatives for farro. Please continue reading to learn more about these replacements and apply them. Farro is a healthy and versatile grain, but it may be hard to come by. There are numerous alternatives to farro that have similar flavor and health advantages. You won’t have to go far for these alternatives; in fact, the majority of them may already be in your kitchen! Here are the top 15 farro replacements.

1. Barley

Farro can most easily be replaced with barley. Farro and barley both have a chewy texture and a nutty taste in common. Barley is a nutrient-dense grain and contains fiber and magnesium in abundance, just like farro. Farro is far more difficult to find than barley. Because of their comparable texture and flavor, you may readily substitute it for farro in recipes.

2. Quinoa

Quinoa is a high-protein grain that is considerably simpler to find than farro. It has a nutty flavor, similar to farro, and a texture akin to rice. You may use quinoa in salads, soups, burgers, and breakfast bowls in place of farro as it’s gluten-free and has about the same protein content as farro. It’s also high in fiber and contains all necessary amino acids. As a result, quinoa is the healthiest alternative to farro.

3. Wheat Berries

Wheat kernels are used to make wheat berries. They’re a decent alternative for farro because they’re both wheat grains. Farro and wheat berries have a chewy texture and a nutty flavor. Protein and fiber are abundant in them. You can use wheat berries in place of farro in soups, salads, and as a side dish.

4. Brown Rice

Brown rice is a gluten-free, healthy alternative to farro. Even though brown rice and farro have different textures, you can use them interchangeably. Brown rice, like farro, is high in fiber. When making a side dish or a snack, you can substitute it for farro.

5. Oat Groats

Farro may easily be replaced with oat groats. Because these are oat kernels, the husk has been removed. Farro and oat groats have similar flavors, textures, and nutritional value. Protein, fiber, calcium, and antioxidants are all abundant in both. Gluten-free oat groats are also available. They have a similar nutty flavor to farro but are significantly sweeter.

6. Winter Wheat

Winter wheat is planted in the autumn and harvested in the spring. It’s dubbed ‘winter wheat’ because it can only grow in shallow temperatures, such as those found in the winter. Winter wheat is an excellent alternative for farro, especially because farro is wheat grain. It’s a lot more convenient than farro. The taste of farro and winter wheat is similar, but the texture is different. Farro is a denser grain than winter wheat. Because of its texture, it will take longer to soak and cook than farro.

7. Spelt Berries

Kernels derived from spelled grain or hulled wheat are known as spelled berries. Because of their comparable texture, they are an ideal alternative for farro. They are high in protein and fiber. However, have a different texture because farro is a soft grain. As a result, you may use them in soups and eat them with eggs and fruit. Spelled berries, on the other hand, have a firmer texture. As a result, they’re better suited to salads and breakfast bowls.

8. Teff

Teff is a gluten-free, nutrient-dense alternative to farro. Magnesium and calcium are abundant. It’s ideal for anyone who is allergic to farro. Although farro is not typically used in baking, teff may make bread, cereal, pancakes, and other dishes.

9. Kasha

Kasha is produced by softening buckwheat groats in a saucepan. It’s an excellent alternative for farro because they have a similar nutty flavor and texture. Kasha has a sticky feel that is similar to farro. They’re both high in fiber and antioxidants. Kasha also happens to be gluten-free.

10. Bulgur

Bulgur is a wheat-based grain that may be used in place of farro. It has the same chewy texture and nutty flavor as farro to substitute it. On the other hand, bulgur is not as healthy as farro and is high in calories.

11. Rye Berries

The hull of rye grains is removed to get rye berries. They’re pretty adaptable, making them a suitable farro alternative. Salads, bread, soups, and other foods can be made using them instead of farro. They also include a high amount of fiber and magnesium.

12. Freekeh

The hull of unripe durum wheat is removed to make freekeh. It has a similar chewy texture and nutty flavor like farro, so it’s an excellent alternative. The protein content of freekeh is high. Soups, salads, and stews are just a few of the foods you may make with them.

13. Berries from Triticale

By crossing rye and wheat, triticale berries are created. They feature the nutty flavor of farro, which is derived from wheat. They have a rough feel as well. It’s essential to keep in mind that you must soak these berries until they’re soft enough to consume. Triticale berries provide more fiber than rye and wheat combined.

14. Kamut

Kamut is an ancient grain with many of the same characteristics as farro. They have a similar nutty taste and are high in protein and antioxidants. Because Kamut has a coarser texture than farro, you need to soak it first.

15. Other Farro Types

Dried farro is the most prevalent kind of farro. Pearled farro, semi-pearled farro, entire farro, and spelled farro are other varieties of farro. Don’t panic if you accidentally ended up with these instead of dry farro.

Related Topics

What exactly is farro?

Farro is a wheat grain category that dates back to ancient Mesopotamia. Farro comes in three varieties: farro grande, farro medical, and farro piccolo. Farro is a chewy, nutritious grain. Fiber, proteins, antioxidants, and magnesium are all abundant in it, and it has a higher nutritional value than most other grains. This product has a nutty taste and a distinctive texture. If you’re attempting to reduce weight, farro is a fantastic choice to consider. It is highly adaptable and may be utilized in practically any situation. Farro may be used in salads, burgers, soups, and breakfast bowls, among other things. You may eat it on its own or with other things like eggs, fruits, shellfish, and so on.

Can I use rice instead of farro?

Yes, you may use rice instead of farro. On the other hand, rice has a distinct flavor and texture than farro. So, if you want something that tastes like farro but isn’t rice, think about using something else.

What is the equivalent of farro?

Despite being a unique, ancient grain with no precise equal, there are several alternatives for farro. Barley and quinoa are the most excellent farro replacements.

Can I use barley instead of farro?

Yes, barley may be used in place of farro. In reality, barley is the most acceptable farro alternative. Both have a nutty flavor and a similar texture. You may use both interchangeably in most recipes.