Cold-Roasted Farro and Chickpea Grain Bowl with Lemon-Tahini Dressing
A wholesome vegan grain bowl featuring nutty farro and crispy chickpeas tossed with a bright lemon-tahini dressing and fresh herbs. This Mediterranean-inspired rice and grain recipe (vegan), ready in about 50 minutes, pairs farro, water, canned chickpeas for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup farro
- 3 cups water
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed canned chickpeas
- 3 tbsp, divided olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp, divided salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp tahini
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 small, minced garlic clove
- 2 tbsp warm water
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup farro under cold water. Combine with 3 cups water and 1/2 tsp salt in a medium pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes until tender but chewy. Drain and cool to room temperature.
- Step 2: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 1 can drained chickpeas with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes until crispy, shaking pan halfway through.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk 3 tbsp tahini, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 2 tbsp warm water, and a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy.
- Step 4: In a large bowl, combine the cooled farro, roasted chickpeas, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Drizzle with the lemon-tahini dressing and 1 tbsp olive oil, tossing gently to combine.
- Step 5: Serve immediately or chilled as a refreshing vegan grain bowl.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cold-Roasted Farro and Chickpea Grain Bowl with Lemon-Tahini Dressing take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cold-Roasted Farro and Chickpea Grain Bowl with Lemon-Tahini Dressing?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep farro from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cold-Roasted Farro and Chickpea Grain Bowl with Lemon-Tahini Dressing?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cold-Roasted Farro and Chickpea Grain Bowl with Lemon-Tahini Dressing for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Cold-Roasted Farro and Chickpea Grain Bowl with Lemon-Tahini Dressing vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect for meal prep: the flavors deepen overnight, and the lemon-tahini dressing cuts through the richness beautifully. Made it for my vegan friends—they were blown away!
- ★★★★★
The cold-roasting technique transformed the farro into something magical—crispy yet tender! My kids begged for seconds on this healthy, vibrant bowl.
- ★★★★☆
Loved the combo of textures, but the chickpeas needed a bit more seasoning to stand out from the farro. Still a 4-star for the amazing dressing!
