Farro Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing Recipe is one of those dishes that surprises you with its layers of texture and flavor. It’s hearty yet fresh, with a creamy, spicy peanut dressing that makes every bite come alive. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become your new go-to for easy lunches or vibrant dinner sides.

The image shows a white bowl filled with a colorful mixed salad made from several layers of ingredients. The bottom layer is a mix of brown grains or seeds. On top of that are small pieces of orange shredded carrot, green edamame beans, and red beans, all mixed evenly. There are also bits of green onions and purple cabbage scattered throughout, adding more color and texture. A golden spoon with a black handle is resting in the bowl. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface, with some whole carrots, green onions, cashew nuts, and uncooked grains scattered around it. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Farro Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Farro Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Farro Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I've made this farro salad countless times, and it always delivers. The spicy peanut dressing is rich and addictive without overpowering the freshness of the veggies. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to whip up for a nutritious meal that feels special.

Balanced flavors: The nutty farro, sweet roasted sweet potatoes, and spicy-sweet dressing create a perfect harmony.
Versatile and filling: It’s a complete meal on its own or a standout side dish for any occasion.
Great texture play: From chewy farro to crunchy cabbage and cashews, every bite is interesting.
Easy to customize: You can tweak the spice level, swap beans, or add your favorite herbs effortlessly.

A white bowl filled with a colorful salad made of many layers: small brown grains, green edamame beans, orange shredded carrots, small purple cabbage pieces, and beans mixed evenly together. The salad has a slightly moist texture, showing a creamy or peanut-like dressing holding the ingredients. Near the bowl, two black chopsticks with gold ends and a large gold spoon rest on the edge, pointing inward. In the background on the left side, a few whole cashew nuts lay on the white marbled surface. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Farro Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing Recipe plays a role in creating that perfect, well-rounded bowl. Here’s a quick rundown of what to look for and why these ingredients matter.

Flat lay of uncooked pearled farro grains, diced roasted sweet potato cubes with a golden edge, vibrant shredded red cabbage, bright orange shredded carrots, chopped fresh green onions, sprigs of green cilantro, shelled pale green edamame beans, glossy red adzuki beans, and a small pile of roasted cashews, all neatly arranged in colorful clusters on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Pearled Farro: It cooks faster than whole farro and gives you that chewy, nutty grain base every good salad needs.
Sweet Potato: Roasting caramelizes its natural sugars, adding warmth and sweetness to contrast the spicy dressing.
Red Cabbage: Adds crunch and vibrant color, making the salad visually inviting.
Carrots: Their mild sweetness merges beautifully with the cabbage and farro.
Green Onions: Bring a subtle sharpness that wakes up the palate.
Cilantro: I love how this herb brightens the whole dish with fresh, citrusy notes.
Shelled Edamame: Adds protein and a pleasant pop of texture.
Adzuki Beans (or chickpeas): They bulk up the salad with hearty, creamy bites.
Roasted Cashews: Their buttery crunch complements the peanut dressing beautifully.
Creamy Peanut Butter: The flavorful base for the dressing, it adds richness and nuttiness.
Lime Juice: Cuts through the richness with bright acidity.
Soy Sauce: Offers umami depth and a savory kick.
Maple Syrup: Balances the spiciness with gentle sweetness.
Toasted Sesame Oil: Adds a subtle smokiness and aroma.
Sriracha: Your ticket to that signature spicy heat—adjust to taste.
Ground Ginger: Adds warm spice without overwhelming the dressing.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This farro salad is a wonderful canvas for your personal preferences. I like to dial up the spice or toss in some crunchy peanuts for extra oomph, but you can make it milder or even nut-free with simple swaps.

Variation: Once, I swapped out sweet potatoes for roasted butternut squash — equally delicious and seasonal for fall.
Nut-free option: Replace peanut butter with tahini or sunflower seed butter, and skip the cashews to suit allergies.
Protein boost: Adding grilled chicken or tofu turns this from side to main without losing its charm.
Extra crunch: Toasted pumpkin seeds or crispy shallots can add a delightful surprise bite.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Farro Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Farro to Perfect Chewiness

Start by bringing about 3 cups of salted water to a boil. Add your pearled farro and simmer it gently for roughly 15 minutes—you’re aiming for tender but with a bit of chew still left. The texture here makes the salad satisfying, so don’t overcook! Drain and spread it out to cool while you prep the rest.

Step 2: Roast Sweet Potato for Natural Sweetness

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Peel and dice the sweet potato into half-inch cubes, then toss them in olive oil and a pinch of salt. Spread them out evenly on a baking sheet. Roast for about 25 minutes until tender and golden on the edges. This step brings out their buttery sweetness, which balances the spicy peanut dressing beautifully.

Step 3: Whisk Together the Spicy Peanut Dressing

In a bowl, combine creamy peanut butter, fresh lime juice, soy sauce, pure maple syrup, toasted sesame oil, Sriracha, and ground ginger. Whisk everything until smooth. If it seems too thick, add a couple of tablespoons of warm water to loosen it up—dressing should be creamy and easy to toss your salad in.

Step 4: Toss All Salad Ingredients Together

Grab a large bowl and add the cooked farro, roasted sweet potato, shredded red cabbage, shredded carrots, green onions, cilantro, edamame, drained beans, and chopped roasted cashews. Pour your spicy peanut dressing over everything and toss thoroughly until every bit gets coated. This is where all the flavors start to marry.

Step 5: Chill and Serve When Ready

Cover your salad and pop it into the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Chilling allows the dressing to soak in and the flavors to blend perfectly. When you’re ready, give it one last toss and dive in!

Top Tip

Over the years, I've learned a few tricks that make this Farro Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing Recipe shine just a little brighter and easier to pull off every time.

Perfect Farro Texture: Keep a close eye when boiling the farro; it can go from chewy to mushy quickly. Taste frequently after 12 minutes.
Dressing Consistency: If your dressing feels too stiff, warm water is your friend—it helps achieve a perfect pourable texture without losing flavor.
Even Roasting: Don’t overcrowd your baking sheet with sweet potatoes; give them space to get golden and caramelized rather than steamed.
Fresh Herbs Last: Add cilantro just before serving to keep its bright flavor vibrant and prevent wilting.

How to Serve Farro Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing Recipe

Garnishes

I love finishing this salad with a sprinkle of extra chopped roasted cashews or peanuts for crunch and a few lime wedges on the side for anyone wanting an extra citrus punch. A handful of fresh cilantro leaves boosts that herbaceous freshness even more.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or tofu if you want added protein, or alongside light dishes like steamed dumplings or a simple cucumber salad to keep things fresh and vibrant.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve served this salad in individual mason jars layered with farro on the bottom, veggies next, and the dressing drizzled on top. It’s perfect for grab-and-go options and looks super inviting at buffets.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The salad flavors deepen, but I recommend adding any crunchy toppings fresh just before eating to keep textures lively.

Freezing

Since the dressing and some veggies may get mushy, I usually don’t freeze the entire salad. Instead, freezing cooked farro separately works great for future salad batches.

Reheating

If you want a warm salad experience, reheat just the farro and sweet potatoes gently in a pan or microwave, then toss with fresh veggies and chilled dressing—this contrast can be quite enjoyable.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other grains instead of farro?

Absolutely! While farro gives a wonderful nutty chew, substitutes like quinoa or brown rice will work well. Just adjust cooking times accordingly.

How spicy is the dressing?

The dressing has a nice kick thanks to the Sriracha, but it’s easy to adjust—start with less and add more to suit your spice tolerance.

Is this recipe suitable for vegans?

Yes! All ingredients are plant-based, making it perfect for vegans looking for a hearty, flavorful salad.

Can I prepare this salad ahead of time?

Definitely. It tastes great after resting for a few hours or overnight in the fridge, which helps the dressing soak into the grains and veggies. Just add garnishes fresh before serving for best results.

Final Thoughts

I love how this Farro Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing Recipe feels both wholesome and exciting every time I make it. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd, and I always end up wanting to double the dressing. You’ll enjoy how simple it is to make but how complex it tastes—just like a great recipe should be. So go ahead, give it a try; I can almost guarantee it’ll become a favorite in your kitchen too.