30-Minute Farro Fried Rice
30-Minute Farro Fried Rice is traditional fried rice with a farro twist! It’s a healthy, flavorful vegetarian dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights!
It’s October, can you believe it? It’s fall, it’s getting dark earlier, and most importantly, it’s getting cooler. I’m completely ready to embrace all things fall, and while I’m loving all the Halloween and Thanksgiving merchandise out, I just want the Christmas stuff to go back in the warehouse.
Christmas just isn’t on my radar yet!
One thing that’s always on my radar is a quick meal, and since it’s the first Thursday of the month, that means it’s 30 Minute Thursday!
See my complete list of 30 minute meals here.
I decided to do a spin on classic fried rice by using farro, because it’s one of my favorite grains. This farro fried rice has all the flavor of classic fried rice with soy sauce, plus a bit of heat from red pepper flakes and fresh ginger.
I made this a vegetarian meal, but it’s plenty hearty. The mushrooms give this farro fried rice a nice meaty flavor, and the eggs are a great source of protein.
I honestly didn’t miss the rice in this dish at all — the farro was so satisfying! The farro lends a delicious toasty, nutty flavor, and worked so well with the Asian flavors.
Did I mention that this is so much better than takeout? It really is. 🙂
What is farro?
If you’re not familiar with farro, it’s an ancient grain that’s derived from wheat. It’s very hearty, with a nutty flavor and chewy texture.
While farro is not gluten-free, it’s considerably lower in gluten than wheat.
I used farro in the place of rice in this dish for 2 reasons:
- Traditional fried rice requires leftover rice, but farro doesn’t.
- I absolutely love farro. I mentioned that already, didn’t I? 🙂
How to make this recipe
Using farro instead of rice makes this a true 30 minute meal, as farro doesn’t need to be made in advance like rice does. If you’re in the mood, try this traditional fried rice.
Since this is a 30 minute meal, I used a frozen organic vegetable medley to save some time, along with some fresh garlic, mushrooms, bok choy, and green onions. Not only does the frozen vegetable medley save on chopping time, my kids really love them, too.
- Farro takes 20 minutes to cook, so get that cooking first while you prep the veggies.
- Once the veggies are prepped, cook the mushrooms in the skillet with some olive oil, then add the garlic, red pepper flakes and ginger when the mushrooms have softened.
- Add more olive oil, the bok choy, vegetable medley and green onions, and cook 1-2 minutes until the bok choy has wilted.
- When the farro is done cooking, drain it well and add it to the skillet with the soy sauce and stir. Sauté 2 more minutes, then make a well in the center of the skillet. Add the eggs and scramble in the center, then stir into the farro mixture until well combined. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and salt and pepper, to taste.
Recipe notes
- If you’d like to use meat, chicken or pork would be great options. You can do that very easily by cooking the meat first, then removing it from the pan, cooking your veggies, and adding it back in when you add the farro.
- If you prefer more spice, add more red pepper flakes!
More farro recipes you’ll love:
- Farro bowl by Gimme Some Oven
- Farro salad
- Harvest butternut squash kale salad
30-Minute Farro Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup farro uncooked
- 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms stemmed and sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes*
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger*
- 1 bunch bok choy chopped
- 1 cup organic frozen vegetable medley thawed
- 3 green onions chopped (both white and green parts)
- 5 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce or more to taste
- 3 large eggs lightly beaten
Instructions
- Cook the farro according to package instructions.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook 5-8 minutes until browned and the moisture has evaporated. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, and ginger, and saute 30 seconds. Add another tablespoon of olive oil along with the bok choy, thawed frozen vegetables, and green onions and saute 1-2 minutes until the bok choy has wilted.
- When the farro is done, drain it, then add it to the skillet with the soy sauce, and 2 more tablespoons of olive oil. Saute 2 more minutes, then make a well in the center of the skillet. Add the eggs and scramble in the center, then stir into the farro mixture until well combined. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and salt and pepper, to taste. Enjoy!
Notes
- *If you love spicy foods, add more red pepper flakes and ginger!
- Cubed chicken or pork can easily be added to this meal. Simply cook the meat first, and place in a bowl while you cook the veggies. Add the meat back in when you add the farro.
- This makes great leftovers! Just add a bit more olive oil if it seems a bit dry.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
47 Comments on “30-Minute Farro Fried Rice”
I can’t believe it’s already October! And I agree, the Christmas stuff can just stay away until later next month. This farro fried rice looks just perfect, Marcie! I’ve actually never cooked with farro before, so I definitely need to change that. I love the beautiful colors and flavors in here!
Thanks, Gayle — I hope you try farro soon! 🙂
This is such a fun and healthier twist on fried rice, Marcie! Totally lovin’ it! How awesome would this rice be next to some stir-fry or orange chicken??
Stir-fry orange chicken –YES!! Thanks, Sarah!
Wow! I LOVE how much good stuff you packed in this dish!
Thanks, Annie! The more the better!
Marcie, I love farro!!! and LOVE these 30 minute Thursday recipes!! delicious!
Thank you, Alice! 🙂
This looks delish! I need some easy and healthier meals and this could be it!
Thank you, Dorothy! I can always use more myself! 🙂
I love farro and I definitely want to incorporate it into more dishes. Using it for fried “rice” is perfect! And boo to Christmas – go away because I’m not ready for you yet either!
Thanks, Liz! This is definitely one of my favorite ways to enjoy it! 🙂
This looks absolutely delicious! I’m a huge fan of farro and I’m loving the veggies in here 🙂 Pinning!
Thanks, Medha, and I appreciate the pin!
This is such a quick dinner recipe, I love it! I want to add some fresh veggies that we have to get rid of in our Fall harvest so can’t wait to try it!
Thanks so much, Pamela! This was a great place to use a ton of veggies! Hope all is going well! 🙂
I can’t believe its October already too! Time is just flying by way too quickly so 30 minute meals are exactly what we all need 🙂 Love love love this fried rice! Using farro is such a great idea! I can’t wait to make this for my husband to get him on board the farro train. It looks so delicious and the nuttier texture from the farro is just perfect! <3
Time is flying by too quickly…those holidays need to stay away! haha I hope your husband gets on the farro train — it’s a great place to be! Thanks, Kelly, and have a great rest of the week! 🙂
This 30 minute dish is just perfect! I’ve cooked farro just once, but would love to try your recipe Marcie!
Thank you, Mira! I can’t get enough farro!
I’ve never made fried rice before! I used to eat it out but now that I don’t eat soy sauce I guess I need to make it at home so I can enjoy it! This looks like the perfect quick dinner 🙂
This was such a quick and easy dinner, and I swear I could’ve eaten it every day for a month! Thanks, Izzy!
This dish looks absolutely delicious! You ladies are coming up with some incredible dishes for 30 minute Thursday 🙂
Thanks, Danielle! This is pushing me to make more quick meals, which I really need! 🙂
I love how hearty this dish is even though it’s vegetarian! Loaded with so many good things! Pinned 🙂
I definitely didn’t miss meat in this dish — it was very satisfying! Thanks for the pin, Ashley!
I need to try farro! I looks so delicious! I love fried rice but am always thrown by the whole ‘cook the rice ahead of time’ thing, so this looks just perfect!
I bet you’ll love farro, Denise, and it really came in handy here because of that “leftover rice” thing. haha Hope you’re having a great weekend! 🙂
YUMMO! I am loving this 30 minute Farro Fried Rice Marcie! I could totally dig this for dinner tonight. Will you come over and make it for me? 🙂
I’m hopping a plane now! 🙂
Heck yeah, this sounds awesome! I’m all about fried rice and love the idea of cleaning it up and making it all fresh and healthy-like! I have a bag of farro in my pantry right now, so I’m amped to give this a go!
Thank you, Julia! I liked this farro version even more than regular rice, but I do LOVE my farro. 🙂
What fun twist on fried rice. Looks absolutely delicious and healthy. Love how quick and easy they are! Happy Friday!
Thank you, Anu! This was very healthy and hearty, and something I could eat every day. 🙂
It drives me crazy when I start to see Christmas stuff this early! Why can’t they just let us enjoy fall?
But anyways, I’m in love with this fried rice! Using farro in place of regular rice is a genius idea and anything that comes together in less than 30 minutes is a win in my book!
Exactly — fall only! Leave the red and green out of things for now. 🙂 Thanks, Sarah, and hope you’re having a great weekend!
I am with you, my friend! I too am ready to embrace all things fall! And this farro fried ‘rice’ will top my list of fall favorites! Thanks for sharing – I love it!
Thanks so much, Annie, and I hope you’re enjoying your weekend! 🙂
Gah Marcie you know I love me some farro and in fried rice??? This is awesome. I cannot wait to try this! Have a fantastic weekend!!
I know you love farro as much as I do, and I REALLY think you would love this! Thanks, friend! 🙂
I couldn’t believe it tonight when I looked out the window just before 7 and it was already completely dark! It’s definitely not summer anymore. I love homemade fried rice, and I like how you made this with farro to make it a 30 minute meal! It looks so good packed with all of those veggies!
When it’s 7:00 I feel like it’s bed time! haha Thank you, Kristine, and happy Monday!
Hi Marcie, farro is one of my favorite grains, love this dish. I am ready for fall too!
I’m glad to know another farro lover, Cheri! Thank you so much!
I’m loving wearing cozy clothes when the air get chilly in the evening! Thanks, Mary Frances, and hope you’re doing well! 🙂
Quick meals are always on my radar as well! This looks marvelous!
Thank you, Nancy! 🙂