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    Home » Lunch » Roasted Cranberry Farro Salad with Curry Dressing

    Dec 27, 2013 · Modified: Oct 16, 2020 by Sues · This post may contain affiliate links, uses cookies, and generates income via ads · View privacy policy + disclosure statement linked in footer · 18 Comments

    Roasted Cranberry Farro Salad with Curry Dressing

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This hearty cranberry farro salad is packed with the delicious flavors of butternut squash, tart cranberries, creamy goat cheese, and a yummy curry dressing. It makes for a delicious side dish or satisfying lunch.

    View of a small cocotte filled with cranberry farro salad with butternut squash, baby kale, and goat cheese, with another cocotte in background and recipe title at top

    (This recipe for Roasted Cranberry Farro Salad with Curry Dressing was originally published in December 2013, but was updated with new photos in 2020).

    I told you the cranberry madness was far from over. As far as I’m concerned, it’s still the holiday season and cranberries are still very much permitted. This time I decided to roast them because I wanted fresh cranberries in a salad, but I figured just popping fresh cranberries in, might make for a way too-tart salad.

    So, I put them in the oven and roasted them a bit to mellow them out. This resulted in a sweeter (but still nice and tart!) berry.

    Instead of going on any kind of post-holiday detox, I’m just trying to sneak in healthier food whenever possible. My Vitamix has been pumping out the green juice and I’m going to attempt a carrot beet juice later today. But I’ll still be snacking and treating myself so as to not put my body into full shock when I head to Napa and Sonoma later this month. It's all about strategy, right?

    Roasted Cranberry Farro Salad with Curry Dressing Recipe

    Lucky for me, this recipe is healthy without being all up in your face like “hi, I’m healthy; you must eat me now. DO IT.” It’s a bit more discrete than that. Thank goodness.

    I love salads that are hearty enough to be meals and thanks to the farro, squash, and goat cheese, this one definitely is.

    To start, toss the cranberries and butternut squash in olive oil and a little salt and pepper and place them on a baking sheet. Don’t mix them together as you’ll need to remove the cranberries before the squash!

    Pop in the oven at 400 degrees. After about 10 minutes, your cranberries should start shriveling up. At this point, remove them to a bowl. Keep butternut squash in the oven for about 15-20 minutes longer, until tender.

    They’re almost kinda like dried cranberries, but still juicy and with their natural tartness. Fresh is always best!

    Collage showing process for roasting cranberries and squash, including both on baking sheet and cranberries roasted and out of the oven

    Prepare farro according to directions. I used 1 ½ cups dry to generate a nice big bowl of it.

    Overhead view of a bowl filled with cooked farro

    Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, honey, dijon mustard, curry powder, and salt together in a small bowl.

    Overhead view of curry dressing whisked in bowl

    Add roasted cranberries and squash to the farro. And mix in kale and goat cheese. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.

    This cranberry farro salad is a healthy salad that most definitely doesn’t make me feel like I’m eating healthy. Hoorah! Eat this with a big glass of green juice and you’re basically the healthiest person in the world. Though green juice is most certainly a bit more in your face healthy.

    Overhead view of a blue cocotte filled with cranberry farro salad with butternut squash, baby kale, and goat cheese

    I brought this salad to work for a week straight and felt completely satisfied and happy after eating lunch. I think all the flavors are super fabulous, but the curry dressing is the perfect touch!

    I don’t let curry into my life nearly enough and that needs to change. Anyone have any must-make recipes involving it?

    Landscape overhead view of a white cocotte filled with cranberry farro salad with butternut squash, baby kale, and goat cheese on a pink and gold platter with fork

    This cranberry farro salad was most definitely a winner and one I will be making into 2014, as well. If you’re not big on farro, you could replace it with quinoa or really any other grain you choose. You could use feta cheese instead of the goat cheese, too. The options are legit endless!

    View of a small white cocotte filled with cranberry farro salad with butternut squash, baby kale, and goat cheese, with another cocotte in background

    I know it’s still December and I hope you’re not mad at me for giving you a healthy-ish recipe before the new year. It’s all about balance, right? Now I’ll just have to go eat some leftover Christmas cookies and a tall glass of cold eggnog.

    OK I’m going back to my serious Napa and Sonoma trip planning! I’m a little overwhelmed with all the options right now, but if you have any must-see recommendations, please let me know!

    Are you having a happy holiday season?

    If you're looking for more healthy and delicious salads, check out my Shrimp and Feta Orzo Salad and my Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Lemon, Pomegranate, and Feta. And I can't wait to try this Quinoa Kale Salad from Peas and Crayons!

    Roasted Cranberry Farro Salad with Curry Dressing -- This hearty cranberry farro salad is packed with the delicious flavors of butternut squash, tart cranberries, and creamy goat cheese. It makes for a delicious side dish or satisfying lunch | wearenotmartha.com #cranberries #butternutsquash #farro #healthysalads

    Roasted Cranberry Farro Salad with Curry Dressing

    This hearty cranberry farro salad is packed with the delicious flavors of butternut squash, tart cranberries, creamy goat cheese, and a yummy curry dressing. It makes for a delicious side dish or satisfying lunch.
    No ratings yet
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    Course: lunch, Side
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Farro Recipes, Hearty Salads, Savory Cranberry Recipes
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Makes: 6 servings (as a side)
    Author: Sues

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries
    • 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
    • Salt and pepper
    • 1 ½ cups diced butternut squash
    • 1 ½ cups dry farro
    • 2 cups baby kale (or regular kale with ribs removed and chopped. can also use baby spinach)
    • 2 oz. goat cheese, crumbled

    Curry Dressing

    • 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
    • 2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • 2 tsp honey
    • 1 tsp dijon mustard
    • 1 tsp curry powder
    • ¼ tsp salt

    Instructions

    • Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
    • Toss cranberries in 1 Tbsp olive oil and a little salt and pepper and place on half of a baking sheet. Toss butternut squash with remaining 1 Tbsp olive oil and a little salt and pepper and place on other half of baking sheet (don't mix as you'll need to remove cranberries from oven first.
    • Place in oven for 10 minutes, until cranberries are shriveling. Remove cranberries from oven and continue roasting butternut squash for 15-20 more minutes, until tender.
    • While cranberries and squash are roasting, prepare farro according to package directions. Once cooked and drained, put farro in a large bowl.
    • Add cranberries, squash, baby kale, goat cheese, and dressing to farro in bowl. Toss to combine.

    Curry Dressing

    • In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, mustard, curry powder, and salt.
    Share a Photo of Your Finished Recipe!Mention @wearenotmartha and share a photo if you've made the recipe!
    Roasted Cranberry Farro Salad with Curry Dressing -- This hearty cranberry farro salad is packed with the delicious flavors of butternut squash, tart cranberries, creamy goat cheese, and a yummy curry dressing. It makes for a delicious side dish or satisfying lunch | wearenotmartha.com #cranberries #butternutsquash #farro #healthysalads
    Roasted Cranberry Farro Salad with Curry Dressing
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Emily aka The Three Bite Rule says

      December 27, 2013 at 4:49 pm

      those mini le creuset are just the cutest things ever!

    2. Leah | So, How's It Taste? says

      December 27, 2013 at 6:06 pm

      This sounds like just what I need. I love farro and I found yet another bag of cranberries in my freezer, so I can totally make this!

    3. Christina says

      December 27, 2013 at 6:14 pm

      Your little crockettes are so cute! Is that what they're called?

      This recipe sounds great. I make rice/barley salads for my boyfriend's lunches and often repeat flavors because I get stumped. Definitely going to bookmark this for next week. I don't think he's familiar with farro so that will be a good change.

    4. Claudia says

      December 27, 2013 at 10:51 pm

      I never thought I'd say this before the New Year - but I am lusting after healthy foods already. And I love, love cranberries. I keep a huge stash from the autumn's Farmer's Market - they are not just for Thanksgiving. Thanks for giving me a salad with heft (it's cold in MN) and health! Enjoy Napa and live it all to the fullest! Happy New Year!

    5. Jen @ BeantownBaker.com says

      December 28, 2013 at 12:02 am

      I've never roasted cranberries. I'm intrigued and added the ingredients to our grocery list for tomorrow!

      Hubby just recently made Alton Brown's chicken pot pie with curry in it. I felt the same way - we don't use curry nearly enough in our house. It was delicious. You should check it out.

    6. Tandy | Lavender and Lime says

      December 28, 2013 at 2:25 am

      This sounds really scrumptious, and I am having a wonderful holiday season 🙂

    7. Erica says

      December 28, 2013 at 2:56 am

      Cranberry is like pumpkin for me..I don't really feel like it has a season, I like it year round! The salad looks great. Have SO much fun on your trip- can't wait to see pitures

    8. Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says

      December 28, 2013 at 4:41 pm

      MM! This is the kind of salad I wouldnt mind second helpings of.

    9. Jersey Girl Cooks says

      December 29, 2013 at 7:53 pm

      I have some faro in my pantry and now I know how to use it. Love the colors in this beautiful salad.

    10. Debra says

      December 30, 2013 at 1:01 am

      This is an incredibly delicious sounding recipe! I cannot wait to give it a try. I'm kind of a novice with farro...and this could become a favorite, I'm certain!

    11. Joanne says

      December 31, 2013 at 8:50 am

      Discrete healthy is how I roll. This salad looks awesome. I'm such a farro addict!

    12. Monet says

      December 31, 2013 at 1:24 pm

      Oh! One of my dreams is to dine at French Laundry. I hope you enjoy every plate and bite! And I am all about more cranberries. This farro salad looks delicious! Thank you for sharing!

    13. Jill says

      January 01, 2014 at 9:10 pm

      Just made this for dinner and it was delicious! I substituted roasted beets for the cranberries since Shaw's was out of stock. Also used quinoa in place of the faro. Thanks for the great recipe- I always forget about curry!

    14. Odetta says

      January 02, 2014 at 9:20 am

      This looks so good too! This for lunch doughnuts for dessert!

    15. Laura Dembowski says

      January 02, 2014 at 1:52 pm

      I keep cranberries in my freezer year round - they are great any time. Have fun on your trip. I bet French Laundry will be amazing!

    16. Susan says

      January 05, 2014 at 12:48 am

      This looks absolutely delicious. I have just one question about the kale. Usually I dress and massage kale long before it's ready to eat in my salad. I don't see any such step here, and am wondering if the fresh unmassaged or marinated kale will taste bitter?

    17. Sues says

      January 05, 2014 at 1:03 am

      @Susan- With baby kale, you don't have to worry about it because it's already a lot less bitter and tough then regular kale. I LOVE kale and drink eat it raw on the regular, but if you don't like the bitterness, I would definitely massage or marinate in some lemon juice beforehand. I hope that helps!

    18. m says

      January 16, 2014 at 11:12 pm

      French Laundry? Holy smokes!!!!!!
      Please post your review!!!!

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