farro

noun

far·​ro ˈfär-(ˌ)ō 

: the grain of an ancient wheat having glumes that tightly enclose the kernel

specifically : the grain of emmer, einkorn, or spelt that is cooked in liquid and used in various dishes (such as soups or salads)

We were making … farro, an ancient wheat variety that can be cooked risotto-style with broth, butter and Parmesan.

—Heidi Julavits

Soak 1 cup of farro overnight, then simmer with 3 cups water for 25-70 minutes …

—Gretchen Roberts

Farro, also called spelt, is available at health-food stores.

—Melissa Clark

Examples of farro in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The farro has taken much longer than the eight minutes promised on the package so that’s for another day. —Bon Appétit Contributor, Bon Appétit, 4 Apr. 2024

Common ones include oatmeal, whole wheat flour, farro, quinoa, barley, bulgur, and brown, black, red and wild rice, according to the Mayo Clinic. —Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024

Aside from great nutrition, whole grains add a variety of flavors and textures to any meal: the nutty complexity of farro, the heartiness of barley and the crunch of oats toasted in granola or on top of a fruit crisp. —Alice Callahan, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2024

In place of quinoa, try this with brown rice, millet, barley, bulgur, farro or freekeh, adjusting the cooking time as needed. —Daniela Galarza, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2024

Make certain to buy semi-pearled farro, which bakes fast without soaking. —Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2024

Creating a great grain salad can be organized into four key components: Grains: Virtually any grain can lay the foundation: wheat berries and their ancient relatives farro and einkorn, rye berries, sorghum, quinoa, millet, rice of all kinds. —Emily Horton, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024

Spread the farro out on a large sheet pan and drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, stirring to coat it well. —Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Dec. 2023

How to brown butter and use it in sweet and savory dishes Farro Risotto With Butternut Squash and Sage Nutty and nutritious farro gets the risotto treatment, while sage adds a pine-y brightness in this recipe from Nourish columnist Ellie Krieger. —Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 18 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined above