Instead · 1
barley or spelt
one for one
- What it gets you
- A chewy whole grain that cooks in the same window and dresses the same way.
- What it costs you
- Nothing much. Barley goes a little starchier and thickens a soup more.
Substitutions · 9 dishes here use it
Out of farro
Chew that survives dressing, which is why it makes a better cold grain salad than rice does. Cook it like pasta, in plenty of salted water, and drain it.
Everything below is judged against that job. A swap that covers it is a swap; one that only looks similar is not.
What to reach for
Instead · 2
wheat berries or freekeh
one for one
- What it gets you
- The same nutty chew, and freekeh brings a smokiness that suits a grain bowl well.
- What it costs you
- Wheat berries want longer; freekeh wants less.
Instead · 3
brown rice or quinoa
one for one
- What it gets you
- A whole grain base for a bowl, gluten free.
- What it costs you
- The chew, which is the whole appeal of farro. Quinoa in particular goes soft and fluffy instead.
Where the swap will be tasted · 2
These need it and are short enough that nothing hides: 4 required ingredients or fewer, which makes farro a quarter of what is in the pan. Make the swap a decision rather than a repair.
Check what else is in the pan
The company farro keeps in this library, counted off required ingredients. A swap that argues with the top two is the wrong swap, whatever a chart says.