• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers & Bites
    • Mains
    • Sides
    • Salads & Dressings
    • Pizza
    • Soups & Stews
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Desserts
    • Drinks & Libations
    • Breads, Butters, and Jams
    • Sourdough
    • Sauces & Savory Condiments
    • Harry Potter
    • Recipe Index
  • Shop
    • Kitchen Tools
    • Pantry Staples
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy

Whip & Wander

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Newsletter
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Whip & Wander » Recipes » Salads & Dressings

    Published: Nov 1, 2022 · Modified: Nov 1, 2023 by Jenni · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Farro Salad with Butternut Squash, Kale, and Feta

    This page may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    a large white dish with a pecan-topped Farro Salad with Butternut Squash, Kale and Feta
    spoons resting in a white dish filled with farro salad
    pecans, kale, and feta on top of a farro salad
    farro, pecans, feta, kale, and diced butternut squash
    metal serving utensils in a dish containing farro salad with feta and kale
    a large serving dish on a tan cloth with farro salad in it and metal salad servers

    This Farro Salad with Butternut Squash, Kale and Feta includes a maple balsamic vinaigrette and a generous sprinkle of toasted pecans. This hearty fall salad is just as delicious served warm as it is enjoyed cold the following day.

    a large white bowl containing Farro Salad with Butternut Squash, Kale and Feta resting on a light tan cloth with bronze serving utensils
    Jump to:
    • What ingredients do you need to make this farro salad?
    • What should I serve with this farro grain dish?
    • Can I make this Farro Salad with Squash, Kale, and Feta in advance?
    • What tools do I need to make this recipe?
    • Looking for more fall dinner inspiration?
    • Farro Salad with Butternut Squash, Kale, and Feta
    The ingredients to farro salad set mis en place on a white cloth

    What ingredients do you need to make this farro salad?

    • Farro - I often use this one.
    • Butternut squash - May flexibly swap for honeynut squash or delicata squash if you prefer.
    • Kale - I prefer Lacinato kale (also referred to as Italian or dinosaur kale), but you're welcome to use red or curly kale as well.
    • Feta cheese - I prefer block feta in brine for the best flavor and texture.
    • Pecans
    • Garlic-infused olive oil, like this one - May swap for traditional olive oil and minced garlic cloves.
    • Balsamic vinegar
    • Maple syrup
    • Dried dill
    • Cracked black pepper
    • Kosher salt - Diamond Crystal Kosher salt is a staple in my kitchen.
    a quadrant of 4 images showing butternut squash and kale

    What should I serve with this farro grain dish?

    This farro salad is deliciously hearty served on its own, but if you'd like to add a more substantial protein, it is also excellent with the following:

    • Pan-seared sausages - Like these smoked chicken and apple sausages, classic bratwurst, Italian sausages, or Andouille sausages.
    • Chicken - It's lovely served as a side to a roast chicken dinner for a larger crowd, or bone-in chicken thighs for a medium crowd. It's also wonderful served simply with boneless chicken breasts if you prefer. You could also serve it with this Chicken Thighs in Orange Dijon Herb Sauce or this Anchovy Chicken Thighs with Green Olives and Potatoes.
    • Steak - It's really nice served under a sliced fillet or sirloin. You could also serve it with this Grilled Skirt Steak.
    • Lamb - Like this Braised Leg of Lamb.
    • Roasted or pan-fried fish, particularly salmon like this Roasted Salmon with Feta and Herbs. You could also serve it with this Crispy Oven-Fried Fish.
    • Crispy roasted tofu, like the kind found in this recipe
    a white dish with farro, kale, feta, and squash with bronze salad servers
    salad servers in a dish of butternut squash, kale, feta, and farro

    Can I make this Farro Salad with Squash, Kale, and Feta in advance?

    Yes, this farro salad recipe holds up really well when made the day before, in fact, I often enjoy the leftovers served cold -- but you are welcome to warm them back up again if you prefer. This recipe should keep well for around 3 days in the fridge.

    closeup of pecans, farro, squash, kale, and feta

    What tools do I need to make this recipe?

    • A large pot with a lid
    • A baker's half sheet lined with parchment paper
    • A kitchen scale
    • Liquid measuring cups
    • Measuring spoons
    • A cutting board
    • A chef's knife
    • A vegetable peeler
    • A fine mesh strainer
    • A large serving bowl (which can also be used to massage the kale)
    • A small bowl (to whisk the vinaigrette)
    • A fork or small whisk
    • Serving utensils or 2 wooden spoons/spatulas

    Are you looking to upgrade your cooking tools or replenish your pantry? Check out my kitchen tools shop page and pantry staples shop page to find my must-have kitchen tools, pantry items, and other Whip & Wander favorites.

    a salad mix of feta, pecans, kale, butternut squash, and farro
    a white bowl with farro salad and kale and pecans

    Looking for more fall dinner inspiration?

    Love this Farro Salad with Butternut Squash, Kale, and Feta? Here are some more of my favorite fall dinner recipes:

    • Wild Rice Salad with Sweet Potatoes, Kale, and Balsamic Mushrooms
    • Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas with Chipotle Pumpkin Sauce
    • Cauliflower Mac & Cheese with Sausage, Kale, and Red Pepper
    • Kale Salad with Roasted Beets and Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette
    • Sausage, Potato, and Sauerkraut Soup with Rye Croutons
    • Chili with Butternut Squash
    • Roasted Butternut Squash Soup (2 Ways)
    • Pasta with Butternut Squash and Chorizo
    • White Pizza with Pumpkin, Bacon, Kale, and Gouda
    • Pumpkin Pizza with Gruyere and Crispy Sage
    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    a salad mix of feta, pecans, kale, butternut squash, and farro

    Farro Salad with Butternut Squash, Kale, and Feta

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 2 reviews
    • Author: Jenni
    • Prep Time: 20 minutes
    • Cook Time: 40 minutes
    • Total Time: 1 hour
    • Yield: 6 servings 1x
    • Category: Salads & Dressings, Sides
    • Method: Oven / Stovetop
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    This Farro Salad with Butternut Squash, Kale and Feta includes a maple balsamic vinaigrette and a generous sprinkle of toasted pecans. This hearty fall salad is just as delicious served warm as it is enjoyed cold the following day.


    Ingredients

    Scale

    For the farro salad:

    • 270 g (1 ½ cups) farro, rinsed and drained
    • 32 oz (4 cups) water
    • 1 medium (about 500 g) butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and diced into ½-inch dices (may substitute for honeynut or delicata)
    • 1 tbsp plus 2 teaspoon olive oil, divided (can use garlic-infused if desired)
    • ½ tsp dried dill
    • ¾ tsp Kosher salt, divided
    • ¼ tsp cracked black pepper
    • 1 bundle (about 4 oz) Lacinato (Italian) kale, deveined and chopped (may sub for curly)
    • 94 g (¾ cup) pecans
    • 6 oz (about 1 cup) feta cheese (block style in brine), drained and crumbled

    For the vinaigrette:

    • 2 oz (¼ cup) garlic-infused olive oil (may sub for olive oil + 2 minced garlic cloves)
    • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
    • 1 tbsp maple syrup
    • ½ tsp Kosher salt
    • ¼ tsp cracked black pepper

    Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F / 205 C. Line a baker's half sheet with parchment paper and reserve to the side.
    2. In a large pot over medium-high heat, bring the farro and water to boil. Once it reaches boil, lower the heat to maintain a simmer and cover. Allow to cook for 30-40 minutes, occasionally stirring, until the farro has bloomed. There shouldn't be much water left once the farro has bloomed, but if you have some excess water you can strain it off.
    3. While the farro cooks, roast the butternut squash. Add the diced squash cubes to the reserved lined sheet pan and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with dried dill, Kosher salt, and cracked black pepper. Toss squash until evenly coated then transfer to the oven to roast for 25-minutes or until lightly browned around the edges and fork tender.
    4. While the butternut squash roasts and farro finishes cooking, massage the kale and prep the vinaigrette. In a serving bowl (or mixing bowl) add the chopped kale, 2 teaspoon olive oil, and ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt. Massage my hand, kneading and gently squeezing the kale, for about 2-minutes. The kale should shrink in volume substantially as it tenderizes and the leaves will darken. Reserve to the side.
    5. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Combine with a fork or small whisk and reserve to the side.
    6. Once the butternut squash is done reduce the oven heat to 350 degrees F / 175 C. You can reuse the same baking sheet that you roasted the butternut squash on to roast the pecans, just transfer the roasted squash to the bowl along with the kale before adding the pecans. Once the oven reaches temperature, roast them for 5-8 minutes or until lightly golden.
    7. Transfer bloomed farro to the bowl with the reserved kale and roasted butternut squash, then add the reserved maple balsamic vinaigrette, toasted pecans, and crumbled feta cheese. Using salad servers or two wooden spoons, toss the salad until well-combined. Taste for salt and adjust if needed. This farro salad is excellent served warm or cold.

    Notes

    Nutritional information on Whip & Wander is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.


    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 serving
    • Calories: 509 g
    • Sugar: 5 g
    • Sodium: 729 mg
    • Fat: 32 g
    • Saturated Fat: 6 g
    • Carbohydrates: 49 g
    • Fiber: 5 g
    • Protein: 12 g
    • Cholesterol: 25 mg

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @whipandwander on Instagram and hashtag it #whipandwander

    « Sausage, Potato, and Sauerkraut Soup with Rye Croutons
    Roasted Root Vegetables with Cider Vinaigrette »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ann Reed says

      February 18, 2025 at 3:24 pm

      This salad is absolutely delicious! I make it as written except I add dried cherries.
      Soooooo yummy:)

      Reply
      • Jenni says

        March 06, 2025 at 10:53 am

        Ann, That sounds like a perfect addition! The sweetness of dried cherries must pair so well with the roasted squash and feta. So glad you’re enjoying the salad—thanks for sharing! 😊

        Reply
    2. Katherine says

      January 06, 2024 at 5:15 pm

      Amazed at how fantastic this was. I left out the syrup and used quinoa instead of farro because that's what I had. Will definitely make again.

      Reply
      • Jenni says

        January 12, 2024 at 2:37 pm

        Katherine, I'm so glad you enjoyed this grain salad! Quinoa is a great swap for the farro in a pinch!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Pleased to meet you, I’m Jenni!

    Welcome to my little slice of the web where I share recipes for food, travel, books, and life!

    More about me →

    What to Make Right Now

    • a large white bowl with Southwest Pasta Salad resting on a gauzy green cloth with wooden salad servers
      Southwest Pasta Salad
    • a gold spoon scooping up roasted salmon topped with fresh herbs and feta
      Roasted Salmon with Feta and Herbs
    • A big white bowl filled Curried Chicken Salad on an orange cloth with salad servers
      Curried Chicken Salad
    • a white bowl with Spicy Kimchi Ahi Poke and a gold fork inside
      Spicy Kimchi Ahi Poke

    It's Big Salad Season

    • BBQ Chicken Salad in a large white bowl with a jar of buttermilk jalapeno ranch dressing on the side
      BBQ Chicken Salad with Buttermilk Jalapeno Ranch
    • A Burger Salad with Meatballs, a bowl of Special Sauce, and a plate of blue cheese
      Burger Salad with Cheese-Stuffed Meatballs and Special Sauce
    • A large white bowl filled with bbq pulled pork salad resting on a green cloth with peaches next to the bowl
      BBQ Pulled Pork Salad with Peaches and Cornbread Croutons
    • Tuna Salad Nicoise on a large white platter sitting on a wooden surface with salaf serving utensils resting to the right of the platter
      Tuna Nicoise Salad (Salade Niçoise)

    Summer Salads to Serve on the Side

    • strawberry peach salad on a white platter resting on a white towel
      Strawberry Peach Summer Salad with Basil Walnut Pesto
    • Wedge Salad with Horseradish Blue Cheese Dressing on a deep white plate
      Wedge Salad with Horseradish Blue Cheese Dressing
    • Arugula Salad with Calabrian Chili Oil, Lemon, and Parmesan on a white plate resting on a green cloth
      Arugula Salad with Calabrian Chili Oil, Lemon, and Parmesan
    • two white bowls with Caesar Salad with Spicy Roasted Chickpeas, Jammy Eggs, and Avocado, a small plate of lemons on the side
      Caesar Salad with Spicy Roasted Chickpeas, Jammy Eggs, and Avocado

    The Best Sandwiches Ever

    • a Prosciutto and Cheese Sandwich with Chili Fig Jam resting n a white plate on an orange cloth
      Prosciutto and Cheese Sandwich with Chili Fig Jam
    • an open baguette with onion, arugula, eggs, tapenade, tuna salad, tomatoes
      French Tuna Sandwich (Pan Bagnat)
    • an Italian Deli Sandwich on a white plate on a green cloth
      Italian Deli Sandwich
    • a closeup of a baguette with romesco sauce, arugula, and roast beef peeking out
      Roast Beef Sandwich with Romesco and Arugula

    Popular Recipes

    • a hand pulling a square of cheesy pizza from its tray
      Easy Same-Day Pizza Dough
    • a cast iron skillet with corn bread next to a plate with a slice of cornbread and pat of butter
      Brown Butter Buttermilk Skillet Cornbread
    • a white bowl with instant pot artichokes and lemon wedges in a copper dish
      Pressure Cooker Artichokes
    • a wooden spoon resting in a skillet full of Pasta with Olive Tapenade on a dark teal cloth
      Pasta with Olive Tapenade

    Make it a Pizza Night with These Delicious Recipes

    • a hand grabbing a slice of Peach, Corn, and Jalapeno Pizza with Honey off of a baking tray
      Peach, Corn, and Jalapeno Pizza with Honey
    • A slice of pepperoni and cheese pizza on a zucchini pizza crust being pulled off of a tray by a hand
      Zucchini Pizza Crust
    • a hand pulling a slice of White Clam Pizza off of a baking sheet
      White Clam Pizza
    • square slizes of BBQ Chicken Pizza on a sheet pan
      BBQ Chicken Pizza

    Bright & Easy Brunch Dishes

    • breakfast tacos on a white plate with cilantro and eggs
      Green Chili Breakfast Tacos
    • Peaches and fresh whipped cream on top of a Buttermilk Dutch Baby in a cast iron skillet resting on a wooden surface
      Buttermilk Dutch Baby
    • three plate with slices of kitchen sink frittata resting on a tan cloth
      Kitchen Sink Frittata
    • Blueberry sauce ont op of a stack of pancakes that have been cut into resting on a lilac cloth
      Sourdough Discard Buttermilk Pancakes

    Sweet Summer Treats

    • baked spiced peach crumble bars with almonds on top
      Spiced Peach Crumble Bars (Gluten-Free & Refined Sugar-Free)
    • Buttermilk Peach Pie Ice Cream in a glass pan resting on a cloth with two fresh peaches nearby
      Buttermilk Peach Pie Ice Cream
    • several plates with slices of pound cake, topped with whipped cream and berries on a neutral back ground
      Perfect Pound Cake
    • a harry potter book sitting next to a glass dish of strawberry buttermilk ice cream with a metal ice cream scoop and two cones resting in the dish. a bowl of strawberries resting nearby
      Molly Weasley's Strawberry Buttermilk Ice Cream

    Flavor Boosters: Sauces, Dressings & Condiments

    • Romesco Sauce in a dark green bowl with a gold spoon resting in the bowl
      Romesco Sauce
    • A gold spoon drizzling Special Sauce into a small brown bowl
      Special Sauce
    • Buttermilk Jalapeno Ranch Dressing in a glass jar with a gold spoon resting in the jar and everything resting on a green cloth
      Buttermilk Jalapeno Ranch Dressing
    • caesar salad dripping off of a spoon into a glass jar
      Greek Yogurt Caesar Dressing

    Magical Harry Potter Recipes

    • a loaf pan of ice cream resting next to a harry potter book on orange cloths
      Butterbeer Ice Cream
    • a pink and green iced chocolate birthday cake sitting on a wooden cake stand with a harry potter cook, a cake server, and a dark teal down nearby
      Harry Potter's Sticky Chocolate Birthday Cake (Gluten-Free)
    • a wooden surface with a white bowl filled with lemon slices and lemon ice pops ona blue towel, a harry potter book resting next to the bowl
      Lemon Ice Pops (Harry Potter-Inspired)
    • wooden tray, gillywater, glasses, white towel, mint, lime
      Gillywater

    Pleased to meet you, I’m Jenni!

    Welcome to my little slice of the web where I share recipes for food, travel, books, and life!

    More about me →

    What to Make Right Now

    • a large white bowl with Southwest Pasta Salad resting on a gauzy green cloth with wooden salad servers
      Southwest Pasta Salad
    • a gold spoon scooping up roasted salmon topped with fresh herbs and feta
      Roasted Salmon with Feta and Herbs
    • A big white bowl filled Curried Chicken Salad on an orange cloth with salad servers
      Curried Chicken Salad
    • a white bowl with Spicy Kimchi Ahi Poke and a gold fork inside
      Spicy Kimchi Ahi Poke

    It's Big Salad Season

    • BBQ Chicken Salad in a large white bowl with a jar of buttermilk jalapeno ranch dressing on the side
      BBQ Chicken Salad with Buttermilk Jalapeno Ranch
    • A Burger Salad with Meatballs, a bowl of Special Sauce, and a plate of blue cheese
      Burger Salad with Cheese-Stuffed Meatballs and Special Sauce
    • A large white bowl filled with bbq pulled pork salad resting on a green cloth with peaches next to the bowl
      BBQ Pulled Pork Salad with Peaches and Cornbread Croutons
    • Tuna Salad Nicoise on a large white platter sitting on a wooden surface with salaf serving utensils resting to the right of the platter
      Tuna Nicoise Salad (Salade Niçoise)

    Summer Salads to Serve on the Side

    • strawberry peach salad on a white platter resting on a white towel
      Strawberry Peach Summer Salad with Basil Walnut Pesto
    • Wedge Salad with Horseradish Blue Cheese Dressing on a deep white plate
      Wedge Salad with Horseradish Blue Cheese Dressing
    • Arugula Salad with Calabrian Chili Oil, Lemon, and Parmesan on a white plate resting on a green cloth
      Arugula Salad with Calabrian Chili Oil, Lemon, and Parmesan
    • two white bowls with Caesar Salad with Spicy Roasted Chickpeas, Jammy Eggs, and Avocado, a small plate of lemons on the side
      Caesar Salad with Spicy Roasted Chickpeas, Jammy Eggs, and Avocado

    The Best Sandwiches Ever

    • a Prosciutto and Cheese Sandwich with Chili Fig Jam resting n a white plate on an orange cloth
      Prosciutto and Cheese Sandwich with Chili Fig Jam
    • an open baguette with onion, arugula, eggs, tapenade, tuna salad, tomatoes
      French Tuna Sandwich (Pan Bagnat)
    • an Italian Deli Sandwich on a white plate on a green cloth
      Italian Deli Sandwich
    • a closeup of a baguette with romesco sauce, arugula, and roast beef peeking out
      Roast Beef Sandwich with Romesco and Arugula

    Popular Recipes

    • a hand pulling a square of cheesy pizza from its tray
      Easy Same-Day Pizza Dough
    • a cast iron skillet with corn bread next to a plate with a slice of cornbread and pat of butter
      Brown Butter Buttermilk Skillet Cornbread
    • a white bowl with instant pot artichokes and lemon wedges in a copper dish
      Pressure Cooker Artichokes
    • a wooden spoon resting in a skillet full of Pasta with Olive Tapenade on a dark teal cloth
      Pasta with Olive Tapenade

    Make it a Pizza Night with These Delicious Recipes

    • a hand grabbing a slice of Peach, Corn, and Jalapeno Pizza with Honey off of a baking tray
      Peach, Corn, and Jalapeno Pizza with Honey
    • A slice of pepperoni and cheese pizza on a zucchini pizza crust being pulled off of a tray by a hand
      Zucchini Pizza Crust
    • a hand pulling a slice of White Clam Pizza off of a baking sheet
      White Clam Pizza
    • square slizes of BBQ Chicken Pizza on a sheet pan
      BBQ Chicken Pizza

    Bright & Easy Brunch Dishes

    • breakfast tacos on a white plate with cilantro and eggs
      Green Chili Breakfast Tacos
    • Peaches and fresh whipped cream on top of a Buttermilk Dutch Baby in a cast iron skillet resting on a wooden surface
      Buttermilk Dutch Baby
    • three plate with slices of kitchen sink frittata resting on a tan cloth
      Kitchen Sink Frittata
    • Blueberry sauce ont op of a stack of pancakes that have been cut into resting on a lilac cloth
      Sourdough Discard Buttermilk Pancakes

    Sweet Summer Treats

    • baked spiced peach crumble bars with almonds on top
      Spiced Peach Crumble Bars (Gluten-Free & Refined Sugar-Free)
    • Buttermilk Peach Pie Ice Cream in a glass pan resting on a cloth with two fresh peaches nearby
      Buttermilk Peach Pie Ice Cream
    • several plates with slices of pound cake, topped with whipped cream and berries on a neutral back ground
      Perfect Pound Cake
    • a harry potter book sitting next to a glass dish of strawberry buttermilk ice cream with a metal ice cream scoop and two cones resting in the dish. a bowl of strawberries resting nearby
      Molly Weasley's Strawberry Buttermilk Ice Cream

    Flavor Boosters: Sauces, Dressings & Condiments

    • Romesco Sauce in a dark green bowl with a gold spoon resting in the bowl
      Romesco Sauce
    • A gold spoon drizzling Special Sauce into a small brown bowl
      Special Sauce
    • Buttermilk Jalapeno Ranch Dressing in a glass jar with a gold spoon resting in the jar and everything resting on a green cloth
      Buttermilk Jalapeno Ranch Dressing
    • caesar salad dripping off of a spoon into a glass jar
      Greek Yogurt Caesar Dressing

    Magical Harry Potter Recipes

    • a loaf pan of ice cream resting next to a harry potter book on orange cloths
      Butterbeer Ice Cream
    • a pink and green iced chocolate birthday cake sitting on a wooden cake stand with a harry potter cook, a cake server, and a dark teal down nearby
      Harry Potter's Sticky Chocolate Birthday Cake (Gluten-Free)
    • a wooden surface with a white bowl filled with lemon slices and lemon ice pops ona blue towel, a harry potter book resting next to the bowl
      Lemon Ice Pops (Harry Potter-Inspired)
    • wooden tray, gillywater, glasses, white towel, mint, lime
      Gillywater

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Recipes

    • Appetizers
    • Mains
    • Sides
    • Brunch
    • Desserts
    • Pizza
    • Harry Potter
    • Sourdough

    Whip & Wander

    Copyright © 2024 Whip & Wander. All Rights Reserved.

    Privacy Policy / Disclosures

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    More to consume

    • About
    • Contact
    • Newsletter
    • Shop Tools
    • Shop Pantry
    1448 shares
    • 48
    1448 shares
    • 48