Swap out the barley and try farro in soups. It doesn’t get mushy and is so delicious and good for you. This recipe is for Beef and Farro Soup and it’s AMAZING.
I’ve got a real thing for beef and barley soup. It’s one of my favorites. But lately I’ve been obsessed with farro. So I just had to take my favorite soup and tweak it to include farro.
Using Farro In Soup
This recipe uses cooked farro. You can find out how to cook farro over here (there are three methods: on the stove, in the oven, and in the slow cooker). The recipe below also has a note with instructions on how to make the soup using uncooked farro, so that’s an option too.
Farro is great to use in soup because it doesn’t get too soft if it sits in liquid but instead tends to retain its texture. This means that you can make a big batch of soup, like this one, and then have it in your fridge for a couple days without the grain getting bloated and mushy.
Seasoning Beef And Farro Soup
I haven’t included seasonings beyond salt and pepper in this recipe. You can definitely add some though. It’s great with a teaspoon or two of chili powder, maybe with 1/4 teaspoon of cumin or smoked paprika as well. Or you can go with Italian flavors and add 1 teaspoon each of dried oregano and basil. Dried thyme and rosemary are always delicious with beef, use 1/2 teaspoon of each. Another thing that’s tasty is to add BBQ sauce to the soup, about 1/2 cup. It adds some sweetness and tang but isn’t overpowering.
Or leave it as it is. Basic and soooo comforting. Mmmmm.
Oh, hey, if your grocery store doesn’t carry farro (mine doesn’t either. I feel your pain), you can order it over here.
Print
Beef and Farro Soup
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Entrée
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
DESCRIPTION
Swap out the barley and try farro in soups. It doesn’t get mushy and is so delicious and good for you.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 ribs of celery, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- 2 cups cooked* farro (learn how to cook farro in the slow cooker, on the stove and in the oven over here)
- 4 cups unsalted beef stock
- 1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the carrots, celery and onion. Cook until softened, 4-5 minutes.
- Add the beef, salt and pepper. Cook until browned, 4-5 minutes.
- Add the farro, beef stock, and diced tomatoes. Increase heat to high until it reaches a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
- Taste and season with more salt and pepper if desired.
Notes
*You can use uncooked farro in this recipe. If doing so, increase the amount of broth by two cups. Use 1 cup of farro and add it when you would have added it in the above instructions. Bring it to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer and cook until farro is tender, 20-30 minutes, depending on the type of farro you’ve got.
Sandra says
Made this soup for dinner on a very cold night and it was a hit! Followed recipe as written. Â It was so hearty and tasty – and very easy to make. Â
Christine Pittman says
Thanks so much, Sandra! Glad you enjoyed.
Jennifer R says
My family loves soups, stews, and chili recipes for our long cold weather months where we live. This one for the beef and farro soup sounds good and uses a different grain than what we are accustomed to. I have read that farro is high in fiber and vitamins so I am looking forward to trying it.
Christine Pittman says
Oh good, Jennifer! Enjoy!
Sharyl L Kay says
This soup recipe is so yummy! I did add a can of Northern beans beans(just because I love beans!) and I did add some Italian seasoning-YUM! Perfect comfort soup especially when you know you are going to be snowed in for a day or two and the temps. outside are bitterly cold! I will definitely be making this again. Thank you for sharing.
Christine Pittman says
Sharyl, You’re welcome. I’m really happy that you like it. Thanks for the kind comment!
Cindy Carroll says
My husband and I enjoyed this soup. I cooked the farro in a crockpot first. I used less salt and less farro, still very tasty.
Christine Pittman says
So happy you liked it, Cindy. Thanks for letting me know!