Farro Mustard Green Salad (Printable)

Nutty farro and peppery greens paired with maple-roasted acorn squash and a tangy vinaigrette.

# What You Need:

→ Roasted Squash

01 - 1 medium acorn squash, seeded and sliced into 1/2-inch wedges
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
06 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Farro

07 - 1 cup uncooked farro
08 - 3 cups water
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Salad Base

10 - 4 cups mustard greens, stemmed and torn into bite-size pieces
11 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
12 - 1/3 cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped
13 - 1/3 cup dried cranberries or cherries
14 - 2 ounces crumbled goat cheese or feta

→ Mustard Vinaigrette

15 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
16 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
17 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
18 - 1 teaspoon maple syrup
19 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
20 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, toss acorn squash wedges with olive oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - Roast the acorn squash for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and tender. Remove and allow to cool slightly.
04 - While the squash roasts, bring water and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the farro, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until tender with a slight chew. Drain and let cool slightly.
05 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
06 - In a large bowl, combine cooked farro, mustard greens, sliced red onion, toasted pecans, and dried cranberries. Drizzle with the mustard vinaigrette and toss gently to combine.
07 - Top the salad with the maple-roasted acorn squash and sprinkle crumbled goat cheese or feta over the top. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Bright, balanced flavors make it a standout salad
  • Hearty enough for a main, but works beautifully as a side
02 -
  • For nut-free, omit the pecans. For dairy-free, substitute or leave out the cheese.
  • Swap mustard greens with arugula or baby spinach easily if desired.
03 -
  • Toss the farro with vinaigrette while still warm to absorb flavors fully.
  • Try roasted chickpeas on top for an extra protein punch.
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