Key Facts:
- Farro is a type of wheat
- Farro is not gluten free
- There are plenty of alternatives to farro that are gluten free
Is Farro Gluten Free?
This is a question we asked ourselves very recently – is farro gluten free? Unfortunately, no, farro is not gluten free.
What is Farro?
Farro is an ancient grain, but is also a type of wheat, and wheat contains gluten.
Some people are sensitive to gluten and can’t eat foods that contain it. They may have celiac disease, which is an autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine. Or they may have non-celiac gluten sensitivity, which causes abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and other symptoms after eating gluten-containing foods.
If you have either of these conditions, you’ll need to avoid farro and other wheat-based foods. There are many gluten-free grains you
How is Farro Used?
Farro is a popular ingredient in Italian cuisine. It’s used in soups, salads, pilafs, and risottos. You can also find it in some breads and pastas.
Because of its nutty flavor and chewy texture, farro makes a great substitute for rice or other grains in recipes.
The big question: is farro gluten free? Unfortunately, farro is not gluten free.
What Are Some Gluten Free Alternatives to Farro?
There are plenty of alternatives to farro that are gluten free. Some good options include:
- Quinoa: Quinoa is a seed that’s cooked and eaten like a grain. It’s naturally gluten-free, and it’s a good source of protein and fiber.
- Amaranth: Amaranth is another gluten-free grain. It has a nutty flavor, and it can be used in pilafs, salads, or soups.
- Buckwheat: Buckwheat isn’t related to wheat, despite its name. It’s actually a fruit seed that’s often ground into flour. You can use buckwheat flour to make pancakes, waffles, or bread.
- Rice: Rice is the most popular gluten-free grain. There are many different types of rice, including white, brown, and wild rice.
- Millet: Millet is a small, round grain that has a nutty flavor. It can be used in pilafs, casseroles, or as a side dish.
- Teff: Teff is a tiny grain that’s popular in Ethiopia. It has a nutty flavor and a chewy texture. Teff can be used to make bread, porridge, or pancakes.
- Wild rice: Wild rice has a nutty flavor and a chewy texture. Wild rice can be used in soups, salads, or stuffing.
- Polenta: Polenta is a type of cornmeal that’s often used in Italian cuisine. It can be boiled and eaten like porridge, or it can be fried or baked. We love making creamy polenta with either mascarpone or cream cheese, lots of butter and salt, and fresh thyme!
- Corn: Corn is a gluten-free grain that can be used to make tortillas, tamales, polenta, or grits.
- Potatoes: Potatoes are not a grain, but they’re often used in place of grains. Mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, and french fries are all popular ways to eat potatoes.
Gluten Free Side Dish Ideas
Staying gluten free is easy when you’re eating straight up protein and vegetables, but when we’re craving a good side dish, it’s easy to get tripped up. Here are some easy gluten free side dish ideas:
- Mashed potatoes: Potatoes, butter, cream, salt: heaven
- Steamed rice: Obviously. Add butter and salt until delicious.
- Fried rice: Use coconut aminos or gluten free soy sauce. Add lots of veggies and scrambled egg!
- Cauliflower rice: We love mixing in fresh homemade mango red pepper salsa to make cauliflower pop.
- Quinoa salad: So many options for quinoa salads, to be covered in their own blog post!
- Potato salad: Easy to pull together with just potatoes, mayo, and red wine vinegar! Especially good for summer BBQs.
- Macaroni and cheese: Make it gluten free with gluten free elbows and corn starch in place of flour.
- Baked beans: Another great BBQ staple!
There are endless possibilities for gluten free side dishes – get creative and experiment to find your favorites!
TL;DR: Is Farro Gluten Free?
You wanted to know, is farro gluten free? Well there you have it – farro is not gluten free, but there are plenty of other grains that are. If you need to avoid gluten, try one of the many alternatives listed above.
Find some gluten free side dishes on our site!
