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Substitutes for Farro in Hearty Grain Salads & Bowls

7 Best Substitutes for Farro

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Farro adds a chewy, nutty texture perfect for hearty dishes. These substitutes offer similar textures or flavors to fit your recipe needs, from gluten-free options to smoky or quick-cooking grains.
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Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Substitution Guide
Cuisine: General
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Pearled Barley Use 1:1 ratio, rinse before cooking to remove starch; chewier with slightly longer cook time; skip if gluten-free needed.
  • 1 Brown Rice Use 1:1 ratio, rinse thoroughly to prevent gumminess; softer texture and gluten-free; add 2 minutes resting after cooking.
  • 1 Spelt Berries Use 1:1 ratio, soak overnight to reduce cooking time; closest match to farro's chew and flavor; skip if gluten sensitive.
  • 1 Freekeh Use 1:1 ratio; adds smoky flavor, chew matches well; skip if neutral flavor preferred.
  • 0.75 Quinoa Use ¾ cup quinoa per 1 cup farro; rinse to remove bitterness; gluten-free and fluffier texture; skip if chewy texture essential.
  • 0.75 Bulgur Wheat Use ¾ cup bulgur per 1 cup farro; no cooking needed—just soak in boiling water 15 minutes; lighter texture.
  • 1 Steel-Cut Oats Use 1:1 ratio; cook 25–30 minutes salted water for warm dishes only; toss with oil to prevent clumping; skip cold salads.

Method
 

  1. Choose a substitute based on your dish's texture, flavor, and dietary needs: spelt berries for closest match, quinoa or brown rice for gluten-free options, bulgur for quick prep.
  2. Prepare grains according to key preparation notes: rinse barley and brown rice; soak spelt berries overnight; rinse quinoa to remove saponin; soak bulgur in boiling water.
  3. Apply the correct substitution ratio: 1:1 for most grains; ¾ cup for quinoa and bulgur per 1 cup farro.
  4. Adjust cooking and resting times as needed: barley takes longer; quinoa cooks faster and needs fluffing; bulgur requires no cooking; steel-cut oats work best warm.
  5. Taste test and check texture after cooking to ensure the substitute holds up well in your recipe; modify liquid or cooking time accordingly.

Notes

Rinse quinoa well and fluff after cooking to prevent bitterness and gummy texture in your dish.

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