Mediterranean Farro Salad with Roasted Beets & Citrus

Mediterranean Farro Salad with Roasted Beets & Citrus

Mia

This vibrant Mediterranean farro salad brings together the earthy sweetness of roasted beets with the bright, tangy notes of fresh citrus and the nutty crunch of pistachios. Farro, an ancient grain beloved throughout the Mediterranean region, provides a wonderfully chewy texture and nutty flavor that serves as the perfect canvas for this colorful composition. Each bite delivers a symphony of contrasts—sweet and tangy, soft and crunchy, warm and cool.

Roasting the beets intensifies their natural sweetness and creates a caramelized exterior that pairs beautifully with the wholesome farro. The addition of fresh orange segments adds bursts of brightness that cut through the earthiness, while a simple lemon-olive oil dressing ties everything together with classic Mediterranean simplicity. Toasted pistachios provide not only a satisfying crunch but also healthy fats and protein that make this salad substantial enough for dinner.

This dish embodies the principles of the Mediterranean diet perfectly: whole grains, plenty of vegetables, heart-healthy olive oil, and nuts. It's a celebration of simple, quality ingredients prepared with care. The salad can be served warm or at room temperature, making it ideal for meal prep or entertaining. Fresh herbs like mint or parsley add an aromatic finish that makes this dish as fragrant as it is beautiful.

Whether you're looking for a satisfying vegetarian main course or a stunning side dish to share, this farro salad delivers on both nutrition and flavor. It's proof that healthy eating doesn't mean sacrificing taste—instead, it's about letting quality ingredients shine in their natural glory.

Nutrition

1 hour 10 minutes
None servings
425 calories
Fat 18.00g
Carbs 58.00g
Protein 11.00g

Ingredients

1.5 cupsfarro, uncooked
4 wholemedium beets, scrubbed and trimmed
5 tbspextra virgin olive oil, divided
1 tspsalt, divided
1/2 tspblack pepper, freshly ground, divided
2 wholelarge oranges, segmented
1 wholelemon, juiced
1 mediumshallot, finely minced
1 tsphoney
1/2 cupshelled pistachios, roughly chopped
1/4 cupfresh mint leaves, chopped
1/2 cupcrumbled feta cheese (optional)
2 cupsarugula, lightly packed (optional)

Equipment

Large pot
Cutting board
Baking sheet
Oven
Whisk
measuring spoons
measuring cups
paper towels
aluminum foil
chef's knife
large serving bowl
colander
small bowl
small skillet

80/20 Diet

This recipe strongly aligns with 80/20 principles, with well over 80% of ingredients being nutrient-dense whole foods including whole grain farro, fresh vegetables, citrus fruits, nuts, and olive oil. The small amount of feta cheese and honey represent the flexible 20%, making this a balanced, anti-inflammatory meal focused on quality nutrition.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

This recipe is rich in anti-inflammatory ingredients including extra virgin olive oil, colorful vegetables (beets, arugula), antioxidant-rich citrus fruits, omega-3 containing pistachios, and fresh herbs. It avoids processed foods, refined sugars, and unhealthy fats while emphasizing whole, nutrient-dense ingredients that combat inflammation.

Clean Eating

This recipe exemplifies clean eating with 100% whole, minimally processed ingredients including whole grain farro, fresh vegetables, citrus fruits, raw nuts, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh herbs. Every ingredient is recognizable in its natural form without artificial additives, preservatives, or refined components.

DASH Diet

This recipe aligns with DASH Diet principles by emphasizing whole grains (farro), abundant vegetables (beets, arugula), fruits (oranges, lemon), nuts (pistachios), and heart-healthy olive oil while using minimal sodium. The potassium-rich beets and citrus, combined with the low-fat dairy option, support cardiovascular health and blood pressure management.

Flexitarian Diet

This plant-forward recipe is perfect for flexitarian eating, centering on whole grains (farro), vegetables (beets, arugula), fruits (oranges), nuts (pistachios), and legumes with only a small amount of optional dairy (feta). It exemplifies the flexitarian approach of making plants the star while allowing minimal animal products.

Gluten-Free Diet

This recipe is naturally gluten-free as farro can be substituted with gluten-free grains like quinoa or certified gluten-free oats, while all other ingredients (beets, citrus, olive oil, pistachios, arugula, feta) are naturally gluten-free whole foods without any wheat, barley, or rye.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This heart-healthy recipe features cardiovascular-protective ingredients including extra virgin olive oil, fiber-rich whole grains (farro), antioxidant-rich beets and citrus, omega-3 containing pistachios, and leafy greens. It's naturally low in saturated fat and sodium while emphasizing plant-based ingredients that support heart health.

High-Fiber Diet

This recipe is excellent for high-fiber diets, providing substantial fiber from whole grain farro (approximately 5-7g per serving), beets, arugula, oranges, and pistachios. The combination of soluble and insoluble fiber from multiple whole food sources supports digestive health and satiety.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense salad is ideal for eating windows during intermittent fasting, providing sustained energy from complex carbohydrates (farro), healthy fats (olive oil, pistachios), protein (feta), and fiber-rich vegetables. The balanced macronutrients and whole food ingredients support stable blood sugar levels and satiety throughout fasting periods.

Intuitive Eating

This vibrant salad honors intuitive eating principles by offering a satisfying combination of varied textures, colors, and flavors that provide both nourishment and pleasure. The recipe emphasizes whole foods and balanced nutrition without restriction, guilt, or compensation language, allowing for flexible enjoyment based on hunger and satisfaction cues.

Mayo Clinic Diet

This recipe follows Mayo Clinic Diet principles with abundant vegetables (beets, arugula), whole grains (farro), healthy fats from olive oil and nuts, and fresh fruits (oranges). It emphasizes nutrient-dense whole foods with appropriate portions and avoids refined grains, added sugars, and processed ingredients.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe is a quintessential Mediterranean dish, featuring whole grain farro, extra virgin olive oil, fresh vegetables (beets, arugula), citrus fruits, nuts (pistachios), and herbs. It emphasizes plant-based ingredients with optional moderate dairy (feta), perfectly embodying Mediterranean dietary principles of whole grains, vegetables, healthy fats, and minimal processing.

MIND Diet

This salad supports brain health with MIND Diet staples including whole grains (farro), leafy greens (arugula), berries-adjacent colorful vegetables (beets), nuts (pistachios), and olive oil as the primary fat. It avoids processed foods, butter, and fried ingredients while emphasizing antioxidant-rich, neuroprotective whole foods.

Mindful Eating

This recipe is ideal for mindful eating with its symphony of contrasts in texture (chewy farro, crunchy pistachios, tender beets), vibrant colors (deep purple beets, bright orange citrus, green arugula), and diverse flavors (sweet, tangy, earthy, nutty). The whole, minimally processed ingredients encourage slow, sensory-focused consumption and appreciation of each component.

Vegetarian Diet

This completely vegetarian recipe provides plant-based protein from farro and pistachios, with dairy protein from feta cheese. It features abundant vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats without any meat, poultry, fish, or seafood, making it a nutritionally balanced vegetarian meal.

Weight Watchers

This salad follows Weight Watchers principles with nutrient-dense whole grains, plenty of non-starchy vegetables, and controlled portions of healthy fats from olive oil and pistachios. The recipe emphasizes whole, unprocessed ingredients and provides a satisfying, fiber-rich meal that supports weight management goals.

Instructions

1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

1 min
2

Wrap each scrubbed beet individually in aluminum foil. Place wrapped beets on a baking sheet.

3 min
3

Roast beets in preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, until tender when pierced with a fork.

50 min
4
8 min

While beets are roasting, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.

5
28 min

Add farro to boiling water and cook according to package directions, about 25-30 minutes, until tender but still chewy.

6

Drain farro in a colander and spread on a large plate or baking sheet to cool slightly.

1 min
7

Remove beets from oven and let cool until safe to handle, about 10 minutes.

10 min
8

Unwrap beets and use paper towels to rub off the skins, which should slide off easily. Cut beets into 1/2-inch cubes.

5 min
9

In a small bowl, whisk together 4 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice, minced shallot, honey, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to make the dressing.

2 min
10

In a large serving bowl, combine the cooked farro, cubed beets, and orange segments.

2 min
11
3 min

Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add pistachios and toast for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden.

12

Pour the dressing over the farro mixture and toss gently to combine.

1 min
13

Add toasted pistachios and chopped mint to the salad and toss again.

14

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.

15

If using, gently fold in arugula and top with crumbled feta cheese before serving.

1 min

Frequently Asked Questions