Heritage Grain Salad with Roasted Root Vegetables

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant salad featuring a blend of heritage grains, roasted root vegetables, and a tangy lemon vinaigrette for a wholesome meal. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 60 minutes pairs farro, freekeh, water into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 35 min Serves 6 Mediterranean cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss diced sweet potato, carrot, and parsnip with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  2. Step 2: Roast for 25 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and caramelized.
  3. Step 3: Rinse farro and freekeh, then combine with 2 cups water in a saucepan. Bring to boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30-35 minutes until tender.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, Dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper for vinaigrette.
  5. Step 5: Fluff cooked grains with fork, then combine in large bowl with roasted vegetables, sliced red onion, and chopped parsley.
  6. Step 6: Pour vinaigrette over salad and toss gently to coat. Let sit 10 minutes before serving at room temperature.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Heritage Grain Salad with Roasted Root Vegetables take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (25 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 Heritage Grain Salad with Roasted Root Vegetables?

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 Heritage Grain Salad with Roasted Root Vegetables?

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 Heritage Grain Salad with Roasted Root Vegetables for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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.

What goes well with Heritage Grain Salad with Roasted Root Vegetables?

Mediterranean salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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