Farro Rice with Vegetables for a Thanksgiving Main Dish
This Farro Rice with Vegetables for a Thanksgiving Main Dish is a delicious and easy recipe that will have everyone coming back for seconds at your holiday table! The combination of nutty farro, tender vegetables, and a medley of fresh herbs will be your new favorite Thanksgiving dish to serve every year. It's the perfect addition to your favorite turkey or ham, alongside roasted vegetables or creamy mashed potatoes, and it even shines as a side dish for your vegan friends when you swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth.
Farro Rice with Vegetables for a Thanksgiving Main Dish
This easy Thanksgiving dinner rice recipe offers a delicious blend of fall flavors, combining the earthy and nutty notes of the farro with the aromatic touch of fresh sage and thyme, creating a rich, hearty side. Whether you're building a traditional Thanksgiving menu or experimenting with new recipes, this fall farro and vegetable side dish is the perfect way to impress your guests, offering a unique twist on classic fall flavors.
Why I Like This Thanksgiving Farro Rice with Vegetables Recipe
This dish is a delightful side for any fall meal, especially during the holidays.
It’s perfect alongside roasted vegetables or your meat, like your favorite turkey or ham.
Serve it as a side dish to any vegan friends when you swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth.
Time-Saving Tips
The farro takes the most time to cook, while the sautéing of vegetables and combining the ingredients in the skillet is relatively quick, taking about 10-12 minutes. This ensures that you can have your fall farro and vegetable side dish ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish.
I use the Trader Joe’s already-cooked Farro in the non-perishable blue bag (see photo). It only takes 10 minutes to cook and saves a lot of time!
Get the pre-chopped celery, onion, and carrot mix from any grocery store. This way, you don’t have to chop all of the veggies by hand.
Get the pre-sliced mushrooms to cut back on slicing time.
Ingredients for Thanksgiving Farro Rice with Vegetables
Farro
Chicken broth
Avocado oil
Carrots
Celery
Onion
Mushrooms
Dried cranberries
Fresh sage, chopped
Fresh thyme leaves
Garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish
Ingredient Substitutions
Swap the farro for wild rice or brown rice. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time based on the rice you choose.
Swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth to make this dish vegan-friendly.
Swap the avocado oil for butter.
Swap the dried cranberries for chopped dates.
Optional Add-ins
Add a crumble of blue cheese for feta cheese on top for a savory bite.
Add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze to the dish just before serving.
Add a sprinkle of toasted chopped walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, or pine nuts just before serving.
How to Make Thanksgiving Farro Rice with Vegetables Recipe
Prepare Farro
In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the farro and chicken broth. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 10 minutes or until the farro is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. You can stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Once done, remove from heat and set aside.
Note: I use the Trader Joe’s already-cooked Farro in the non-perishable blue bag (see photo). It only takes 10 minutes to cook and saves a lot of time.
Sauté Vegetables
While the farro is cooking, heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped carrots, celery, and onion. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes or until the vegetables are softened and the onions turn translucent.
Add Mushrooms and Herbs
Add the sliced mushrooms to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the mushrooms are tender and have released their moisture. Stir in the fresh sage, fresh thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the herbs to infuse their flavors into the mixture.
Combine Farro and Vegetables
Gently stir the cooked farro into the vegetable mixture. Make sure the farro is well combined with the sautéed vegetables and herbs. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat the farro through and meld the flavors together.
Garnish and Serve
Just before serving, garnish your fall farro and vegetable side dish with fresh parsley. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed
FAQ
What type of rice is best to serve with Thanksgiving dishes?
When it comes to serving rice for your Thanksgiving side dishes, there are a few options that can complement the flavors of the holiday. I like using Farro for my Thanksgiving Rice recipe, an ancient grain that resembles brown rice. Another popular choice is wild rice, which has a nutty flavor and chewy texture that pairs well with fall flavors. You can also opt for long-grain rice, such as white or brown rice, which can provide a neutral base for other dishes. Another option is to serve a rice blend, like a wild rice mix, which can add a touch of variety to your Thanksgiving menu.
What are some ways to make a healthier version of a Thanksgiving rice dish?
Choose whole grains: Opt for farro, brown rice, wild rice, or a wild rice blend instead of white rice. Whole grains are higher in fiber and nutrients, keeping you fuller for longer and providing a range of health benefits.
Use vegetable broth: Instead of chicken broth, use vegetable broth to make your rice dish vegetarian or vegan-friendly. Vegetable broth adds flavor and richness without the added animal products.
Load up on veggies: Add an abundance of colorful vegetables to your rice dish. Consider including diced sweet potatoes, green beans, Brussels sprouts, or roasted vegetables like carrots and butternut squash. These veggies add vitamins, minerals, and fiber to your dish.
Incorporate fresh herbs: Fresh herbs like sage, thyme, and parsley can elevate the flavor of your rice dish without the need for excessive salt or unhealthy fats. They also provide antioxidants and other health benefits.
Skip the butter: Instead of using butter, use heart-healthy oils like avocado oil or olive oil to sauté your vegetables. These oils contain healthy fats that can benefit your heart and overall health.
Reduce added sugars: Rather than using dried cranberries or other sweeteners, try using fresh cranberries or omitting sweeteners altogether.
This Farro Rice with Vegetables recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving or any fall meal. It offers a delicious and nutritious alternative to traditional side dishes. With its earthy flavor, chewy texture, and combination of fresh herbs and vegetables, it will surely be a hit at your holiday table. Whether you serve it as a main dish or a side, this recipe is easy to prepare and will impress your guests with its rich flavors.
Farro Rice with Vegetables for a Thanksgiving Main Dish
Ingredients
- 1 cup farro
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1/2 cup chopped carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the farro and chicken broth. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 10 minutes or until the farro is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. You can stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Once done, remove from heat and set aside.
- Note: I use the Trader Joe’s already cooked Farro in the non-perishable blue bag (see photo). It only takes 10 minutes to cook and saves a lot of time.
- While the farro is cooking, heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped carrots, celery, and onion. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes or until the vegetables are softened and the onions turn translucent.
- Add the sliced mushrooms to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender and have released their moisture. Stir in the fresh sage, fresh thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the herbs to infuse their flavors into the mixture.
- Gently stir the cooked farro into the vegetable mixture. Make sure the farro is well combined with the sautéed vegetables and herbs. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat the farro through and meld the flavors together.
- Just before serving, garnish your fall farro and vegetable side dish with fresh parsley. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
