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Flavorful Trader Joe’s Harvest Grain Salad Bowl Copycat Recipe Easy and Delicious

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A vibrant and satisfying grain salad inspired by Trader Joe’s Harvest Grain Salad Bowl, featuring farro, quinoa, kale, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and a tangy homemade dressing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup cooked farro (about ¾ cup dry)
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa (about ⅔ cup dry)
  • 2 cups chopped kale, ribs removed and leaves finely chopped
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ½ cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped
  • ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • 1 apple, diced (Gala or Honeycrisp preferred)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse farro and quinoa under cold water.
  2. Cook farro in 2 cups boiling water for about 25 minutes or until tender but chewy. Drain excess water.
  3. Cook quinoa in 1⅓ cups water, covered, simmering for about 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and let cool slightly.
  4. Wash kale thoroughly, remove thick stems, chop finely. Place in a large bowl, drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil and a pinch of salt, then massage with hands for about 2 minutes until softened.
  5. Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and slightly browned. Remove from heat and let cool.
  6. Core and dice the apple into bite-sized pieces. Optionally toss with a squeeze of lemon juice to prevent browning.
  7. In a small jar or bowl, combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Shake or whisk vigorously until emulsified and slightly thickened.
  8. Add cooled farro and quinoa to the massaged kale. Toss in dried cranberries, toasted pecans, diced apple, and crumbled feta.
  9. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine all flavors.
  10. Let the salad rest for 10 minutes at room temperature to allow the dressing to soak in, then give a final toss before serving.

Notes

If farro is unavailable, substitute with barley or brown rice. For a dairy-free version, omit feta or use vegan cheese. Toast nuts lightly to enhance flavor but avoid burning. Massaging kale softens it and reduces bitterness. Dressing flavors meld better if prepared ahead. Add grilled chicken or chickpeas for extra protein. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days; add fresh greens or nuts before serving to refresh.

Nutrition

Keywords: Trader Joe’s, harvest grain salad, copycat recipe, farro salad, quinoa salad, kale salad, healthy salad, easy salad recipe, fall salad

Find it online: https://lucydishes.com/flavorful-trader-joes-harvest-grain-salad-bowl-copycat-recipe-easy-and-delicious/