• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Events
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Main Dish Recipes

    Mediterranean Farro Salad with Spiced Beef Patties

    Modified: Oct 27, 2023 · Published: Aug 20, 2018 by Ashley

    • Facebook
    • Email
    • Flip
    • Threads
    • Bluesky

    This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·5 from 10 reviews
    Overhead view of Mediterranean Farro Salad with Spiced Beef Patties and a cutting board of lemon wedges with fresh herbs.
    Overhead view of a plate of Mediterranean Farro Salad with Spiced Beef Patties over greens served with lemon wedges and fresh herbs.

    This post has been compensated as part of my ongoing partnership with Mountain Rose Herbs and may contain affiliate links. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

    This Mediterranean Farro Salad is packed with fresh herbs and veggies and tossed with a bright citrus vinaigrette. Paired with simply spiced beef patties, it makes for a beautifully easy, healthy weeknight meal.

    Overhead view of a plate of Mediterranean Farro Salad with Spiced Beef Patties drizzled with yogurt over greens served with lemon wedges and fresh herbs.

    Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of learning about Mountain Rose Herbs at an eco-wellness conference that I attended out in California. At first glance, I thought it was just another essential oil company.

    But after sitting around the hotel firepit late at night chatting about the brand with fellow food-lover and homebrewer extraordinaire, Kiley, I realized that Mountain Rose Herbs also has a TON of incredible products (salts, oils, seasoning blends, teas, etc.) that are perfect for the kitchen.

    And I couldn't be more excited to share them with you!

    Using Smoked Salt in Recipes

    One of the most interesting ingredients I've seen in the last few years is smoked salt. I first used smoked salt when I made Tolon’s Strawberry Basil Shortcake and quickly fell in love with the way that a little bit of smoked salt can really enhance the flavor of a dish.

    This Kiawe Smoked Sea Salt is a really flavorful smoked salt option. It's made from pure Hawaiian sea salt that is slowly cold smoked over Kiawe wood chips. According to the Mountain Rose Herbs website:

    The smoke from this naturalized mesquite tree creates a distinctively sweet smoky flavor that makes a tasty addition to seafood and poultry dishes. Try some in your next brine, or add it to your favorite vegetable dish or salad. The Kiawe tree is unique to the Hawaiian islands, and has naturalized over time from mesquite trees that were brought over in the early 1800’s.

    For this recipe, I used some of the Kiawe Smoked Sea Salt in the ground beef patty mixture. I didn't feel like firing up the grill, but I still wanted that smoky flavor that comes from grilling. It really added a deep flavor to the meat with very little effort!

    They also have a Smoked Sea Salt that is an all natural, solar evaporated salt that is gathered from the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. It's then slowly smoked over Pacific Red Alder wood for a deep, rich flavor.

    Smoked salts are a great way to add real smoked flavor to dishes without that lingering "charcoal smoke" aftertaste.

    When using smoked salt in dishes, start off with a small amount. You don't want to overpower the other flavors in your dish. Both salt and smoke are powerful flavors, so you don't want to go overboard. You can always add more salt, but you can't take it away!

    Overhead view of a plate of spiced beef patties with a bowl of yogurt and fresh herbs

    These spiced beef patties are super simple to make. Just a quick mix of ground beef, dried spices, the aforementioned smoked salt, and an egg. I like adding an egg to dishes like this to help keep the meat from drying out while it cooks.

    When mixing the meat, your hands are the best tool for the job! Just try to incorporate everything and shape them gently, so you don't overwork the meat and end up with tough patties.

    Since I knew I was going to be serving this meat with a big ol' grain salad, I decided to shape them into little mini meat patties - kind of like a hybrid between a meatball and a hamburger. They'd actually make great sliders, too!

    Overhead view of Mediterranean Farro Salad with Spiced Beef Patties and a cutting board of lemon wedges with fresh herbs.

    Farro is one of my favorite ingredients to work with. I tend to go the cold route when using farro, but it's great warm as well. Farro is a chewy grain that holds up really well in salads. I often make a batch of this Farro, Avocado, Cucumber, and Cherry Tomato Salad with Feta and have it on hand for leftovers and lunches throughout the week.

    Using Pumpkin Seed Oil in Recipes

    For this Mediterranean farro salad, I used pumpkin seed oil as the base of my vinaigrette. Pumpkin seed oil has a rich, nutty flavor that works really well with the bright flavor of the lemon juice in the vinaigrette.

    This pumpkin seed oil is cold-pressed from raw pumpkin seeds. It should only be used in its raw form, as heat destroys the health benefits of the oil. Mountain Rose Herbs says:

    Known affectionately as green gold, our certified organic pumpkin seed oil is one of the most nutritional oils available, and is an excellent source of essential fatty acids, vitamins, and sterols. It contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids... Pumpkin seed oil also contains vitamins A and C, zinc, and other trace minerals and vitamins.

    Heat-sensitive oils like this are perfect for salad dressings and vinaigrettes, smoothies, or as a finishing oil - drizzled over your dish just before serving. I think it'd be great drizzled over some freshly made hummus that has been garnished with pepitas.

    Due to its delicate nature, it's best to store pumpkin seed oil in the fridge. A cool, dark place is also OK, but it may not last as long without refrigeration.

    Overhead view of Mediterranean Farro Salad, with ingredients in the background and a cutting board of lemon wedges with fresh herbs.

    Using Red Alaea Salt in Recipes

    The other type of salt that I used in this recipe is this gorgeously vibrant Red Alaea salt.

    I hadn't heard of Alaea salt before, so I turned to Wikipedia for some further information:

    Alaea salt, sometimes referred to as Hawaiian salt, is an unrefined sea salt that has been mixed with an iron oxide rich volcanic clay called 'alaea', which gives the seasoning its characteristic brick red color . It is part of Native Hawaiian cuisine and is used in traditional dishes such as kalua pig, poke, and pipikaula (Hawaiian jerky). It was also traditionally used to cleanse, purify and bless tools, canoes, homes and temples.

    Red Alaea salt is used for both food and cosmetic purposes. For culinary purposes, you'll find that Red Alea salt has a mellow flavor, making it very versatile.

    It would add a gorgeous pop of color sprinkled on top of homemade truffles or ice cream. In fact, I may go sprinkle some on top of the remaining Black Forest Popsicles I have hanging out in my freezer!

    Overhead view of a plate of Mediterranean Farro Salad with Spiced Beef Patties over greens served with lemon wedges and fresh herbs.

    A quick note about sprouting seeds

    I topped my Mediterranean farro salad with some homegrown radish sprouts. Mountain Rose Herbs has an entire section of their site dedicated to different types of organic sprouting seeds! They also have all the tools you need to be able to grow them in your own home.

    I learned a ton about sprouts, and I'm excited to share my findings with you. They don't take much maintenance, and they're a super fresh, tasty, and nutrient-dense way to enjoy indoor growing.

    I have a post in the works that's going to help you choose the best method for growing your own sprouts at home. I had a lot of fun experimenting with the different growing methods and different types of sprouting seeds.

    My 6-year-old son has been super into sprouts now - he even requests them in his lunchbox! The broccoli sprouts are his favorite, and my husband is still firmly on Team Alfalfa Sprouts.

    I've enjoyed all the ones I've tried so far. I just love that they're so quick and easy to grow and that they're SO much more affordable than buying them from the health food store.

    Sprouting kit and supplies.

    So stay tuned for more on sprouting, but just know that for this recipe, sprouts of any sort make a great topping.

    I went with radish sprouts here because I like fresh radishes in with my Mediterannean dishes. The radish sprouts added that spicy flair without having actual pieces of radish in there.

    You can get a sneak peek of our sprouting adventures if you head over to my Instagram profile and look at the highlighted "Sprouting" story that's pinned to my profile page.

    ¾ view of a plate of Mediterranean Farro Salad with Spiced Beef Patties drizzled with yogurt over greens served with lemon wedges and fresh herbs.

    This Mediterranean farro salad would make a great standalone meal. You could even top it with an avocado or a hard-boiled egg for a little extra protein, or add some chickpeas or cannellini beans.

    Feel free to use any mix of raw vegetables that you have on hand. This salad would also work well with roasted veggies that you have leftover. Roasted fennel, carrot, sweet potato, and onion would be fantastic with the farro and vinaigrette.

    I just love a versatile recipe. It's all about options, right?

    Looking for more of our favorite salads? Check out these 5-star recipes:

    • Roma Salad with Caper-Dill Vinaigrette
    • Falafel-Spiced Chickpea Salad with Tahini-Lemon Vinaigrette
    • Taco Salad with Homemade Chipotle Ranch Dressing
    • Quick Chickpea Salad with Lemon-Dill Vinaigrette
    • Pax Romana’s Quinoa Salad with Mixed Vegetable, Goat Cheese & Orange Dressing
    • Fennel + Citrus Salad with Shallots + Capers
    • Creamy Cucumber, Avocado, Chickpea, & Sun-Dried Tomato Salad
    • Smoky Shrimp Salad with Green Goddess Dressing
    • BBQ Ranch Chopped Chicken Salad
    • Cantaloupe, Prosciutto and Shaved Parmesan Salad
    • Triple Crunch Asian Salad

    Recipe for Mediterranean Farro Salad with Spiced Beef Patties

    Print

    📖 Recipe

    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Overhead view of a plate of Mediterranean Farro Salad with Spiced Beef Patties drizzled with yogurt over greens served with lemon wedges and fresh herbs.

    Mediterranean Farro Salad with Spiced Beef Patties

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 10 reviews
    • Author: Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen - Ashley Covelli
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 35 minutes
    • Total Time: 50 minutes
    • Yield: 4 Servings 1x
    • Category: Salad
    • Method: Stovetop, Broiler
    • Cuisine: Mediterranean
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Mediterranean Farro Salad is packed with fresh herbs and veggies, tossed with a bright citrus vinaigrette and paired with simply spiced beef patties.


    Ingredients

    Scale

    1 cup farro

    For Meat Patties:

    • 1 pound ground beef (I used 85% lean)
    • 1 tablespoon dried marjoram
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon granulated onion
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic
    • ¼ teaspoon Kiawe smoked sea salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
    • 1 egg

    For Salad:

    • 2 tablespoons pumpkin seed oil
    • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (about ½ lemon, cut the rest into wedges)
    • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
    • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
    • 1 English cucumber, chopped
    • 1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
    • ½ teaspoon Red Alaea salt

    For Serving:

    • Salad greens
    • Plain yogurt
    • Fresh sprouts (I used radish sprouts)

    Instructions

    1. Place farro in a medium saucepan and cover with water by 2 inches. Bring to boil, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes, then rinse with cold water and drain well.
    2. For the meat patties: While farro is cooking, preheat broiler to high. Spray a broiler-safe baking sheet with oil or non-stick spray.
    3. In a medium bowl, add beef, marjoram, oregano, onion, paprika, garlic, Kiawe smoked sea salt, pepper, and egg. Gently mix together using your hands, being careful not to overwork. Divide the meat into 8 equal portions and form into patties. Transfer to prepared baking sheet and broil for 8 minutes, flip, then broil for an additional 5-8 minutes, or until cooked to your desired degree of doneness.
    4. For the salad: In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin seed oil, lemon juice, mint, and parsley. Add cucumbers, tomatoes, cooled farro, and Red Alea salt and toss to combine. Taste for seasoning and add more salt if needed.
    5. To serve: On each plate, place a pile of salad greens topped with 2-3 beef patties, and drizzle with yogurt. Pile some farro salad on the plate next to the meat, and top with sprouts. Garnish with lemon wedges and enjoy!

    Notes

    If there's a lot of fat coming out of your patties, drain it off the baking sheet before flipping. This will help the outsides to get a better crust on them while they finish cooking.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size:
    • Calories: 346
    • Sugar: 1.8 g
    • Sodium: 533.3 mg
    • Fat: 26 g
    • Saturated Fat: 9.3 g
    • Carbohydrates: 4.8 g
    • Fiber: 1.4 g
    • Protein: 23 g
    • Cholesterol: 126.7 mg

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @bigflavors on Instagram and hashtag it #cookbigflavors

    Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

    More Main Dish Recipes

    • Bowl of sautéed shrimp with pickled onions, cilantro rice, guacamole, tomatoes, and sour cream.
      Shrimp Burrito Bowls
    • Chicken and bell pepper stir-fry served over white rice.
      Chicken and Bell Pepper Stir-Fry
    • Chicken and veggies simmering in a saucepan.
      Chicken a la King
    • Two shallow bowls with rice and chicken paillards topped with tomato-dill relish.
      Dill Chicken Paillards with Tomato-Dill Relish

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kelly Anthony

      August 22, 2018 at 10:37 am

      The salad looks so light and refreshing! I want some right now!

      Reply
      • Ashley

        August 22, 2018 at 12:21 pm

        Thanks, Kelly! It was a BIG hit with my family. I hope you enjoy it if you give it a try 🙂

        Reply
    2. Sherri @ Watch Learn Eat

      August 22, 2018 at 5:31 pm

      This salad is so beautiful with all those amazing colors! Love all the flavors you've incorporated. And it makes for a perfect dinner with the spiced beef patties too!

      Reply
      • Ashley

        August 22, 2018 at 11:34 pm

        Thanks so much, Sherri! I love eating colorful food, especially in the summer when there's such an explosion of fresh, in-season produce. And growing sprouts at home has really helped me add a pop of color to my meals, too. Yum!

        Reply
    3. Kiki Johnson

      August 23, 2018 at 3:52 pm

      This meal has components of both a light summer salad AND my favourite comfort food. I love the sound of those spiced beef patties! YUM

      Reply
      • Ashley

        August 26, 2018 at 10:16 pm

        Thanks so much, Kiki! YES - I'm all about summery salads and comfort food together - totally the best of both worlds 🙂

        Reply
    4. Jenni LeBaron

      August 25, 2018 at 11:18 am

      This looks so good! I don't often come across farro dishes so this looks really special. I love the spices you used in both the salad and the beef patties.

      Reply
      • Ashley

        August 26, 2018 at 10:21 pm

        Farro is one of my favorite ingredients - I'm always looking for fun ways to use it. I especially like it cold in salads, but it's super versatile!

        Reply
    5. Kim @ Berly's Kitchen

      August 25, 2018 at 5:09 pm

      I've never tried farro salad, but it looks really good! My local grocery store actually sells a fresh farro salad, and I've been on the fence about trying it. Seeing your photos and recipe are pushing me towards making one from home! 🙂

      Reply
      • Ashley

        August 26, 2018 at 10:23 pm

        Ooooh definitely give that one a try, too! There are a few stores in my area that make different cold salads with farro. There are SO many flavor combinations that work with farro. I hope you love this one if you give it a try 🙂

        Reply
    6. Jessica Pinney

      August 25, 2018 at 5:32 pm

      I love sprouts! This salad looks like a wonderful utilization of them. I'm pinning this for later!

      Reply
      • Ashley

        August 26, 2018 at 10:23 pm

        Sprouts are BIG in my house lately! They add such a nice pop of color and flavor to lots of different dishes.

        Reply
    7. Lorie

      August 25, 2018 at 9:37 pm

      Farro is my new absolute favorite thing! I am so bummed I didn't try it sooner. Can't wait to make this one!

      Reply
      • Ashley

        August 26, 2018 at 10:28 pm

        Isn't it dreamy?! I first tried it a few years ago and quickly became obsessed! I hope you enjoy this dish whenever you give it a try!

        Reply
    8. Jagruti Dhanecha

      August 26, 2018 at 4:19 pm

      We love farro in salad, and this refreshing and healthy Mediterranean salad sounds so amazing! Wish I can reach that bowl right now.

      Reply
      • Ashley

        August 26, 2018 at 10:30 pm

        Thanks so much! I love making healthy dishes that are packed with flavor - it shows that healthy doesn't need to mean boring!

        Reply
    9. Chelsey

      August 26, 2018 at 6:57 pm

      This dish looks fabulous! We are big mediterranean food fans over at our house, so this is right up our alley! Definitely trying 🙂

      Reply
      • Ashley

        August 26, 2018 at 10:30 pm

        Thanks so much, Chelsey! Let me know what you think of it when you give it a try 🙂

        Reply
    10. Michele

      August 26, 2018 at 8:31 pm

      What a gorgeous salad! Your spices and ingredients sound so flavorful and delicious!

      Reply
      • Ashley

        August 26, 2018 at 10:31 pm

        Thank you, Michele! I love using fresh veggies and sprouts in dishes like this. It totally hit the spot!

        Reply
    11. Vanessa Vickery

      August 26, 2018 at 9:55 pm

      This recipe looks so good!! I love all the flavours that you have used! This is my type of meal!!

      Reply
      • Ashley

        August 26, 2018 at 10:32 pm

        Thanks, Vanessa! I love mixing super fresh veggies and grains with simply flavored meats. Perfect weeknight meal!

        Reply
    12. Nicoletta Sugarlovespices

      August 27, 2018 at 9:37 am

      This salad is beautiful and so nutritious. I love love love farro and have been using for a while in Italy before it became popular also here. This recipe seems like a good one to add to my repertoire!

      Reply
      • Ashley

        August 27, 2018 at 10:35 pm

        I bet you learned a lot of fun ways to use it in Italy! What's your favorite way to enjoy farro? I hope you like this salad when you give it a try 🙂

        Reply

    Leave a comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Ashley and I’ve been writing about food & recipes here at Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen since 2006. I want to help you (yes, you!) gain confidence in the kitchen so you are excited to cook at home for yourself and your loved ones.

    More about me →

    Favorite Spring Recipes

    • Mayo-free Deviled Eggs
    • Middle Eastern Fattoush Salad with Homemade Pita Chips
    • Birthday Cake Confetti Pancakes with Sprinkles
    • Italian Cream Cheese and Ricotta Cheesecake
    • Garlicky Mushroom Ricotta Pizza with Wild Arugula + Aged Balsamic
    • Slow Cooker "Roasted" Beets
    • Honey Balsamic Roasted Carrots
    • Italian Ricotta Cookies
    • Rhubarb Custard Pie
    • Easy Instant Pot Herbed Potato Salad

    Mother's Day + Easter Brunch

    • Epic Brunch Board on a Budget
    • Baby Spinach and Cheddar Quiche Made with Fresh Spinach
    • Turkey Salad Tea Sandwiches with Dried Cherries
    • Great Grandma Maria Francesca Cardile's Italian Easter Cookies
    • Brie Waffle Bites
    • Challah French Toast
    • Creamsicle Smoothies
    • DM Bloody Mary
    • Turkey Scotch Eggs
    • The Herbalist

    Popular Now

    • Overhead view of spinach and cheddar quiche with forks.
      Baby Spinach and Cheddar Quiche Made with Fresh Spinach
    • Close up of a few cucumber slices topped with a spiced chickpea purée.
      Falafel-Spiced Cucumber Bites
    • Overhead shot of a plate with rectangles of white coconut jelly.
      Coconut Jelly
    • Falafel in pita bread with toppings served with yogurt-herb sauce.
      Falafel with Yogurt-Herb Sauce
    • Overhead view of assorted breakfast items displayed on a board.
      Epic Brunch Board on a Budget
    • No Mayo Deviled Eggs: Skip the mayo in this appetizer favorite - guaranteed to be a hit at any party!
      No Mayo Deviled Eggs

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Ashley
    • Press + Recognition
    • Events
    • Virtual Cooking Classes
    • Podcast
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign up to receive delicious recipes and exclusive content right to your inbox!

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no added cost to you.

    ©2006–2025  BIG FLAVORS FROM A TINY KITCHEN LLC | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

    *Third-party advertisers may collect or use non-personally identifiable information to serve you more relevant ads.