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Fresh Clean Eating Ground Turkey and Farro Bowl Recipe for Summer

Fresh Clean Eating Ground Turkey and Farro Bowl - featured image

A light, nourishing summer bowl combining lean ground turkey, chewy farro, fresh veggies, and a zesty lemon-tahini dressing. Perfect for quick, wholesome meals that balance protein, whole grains, and vibrant flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup farro (uncooked)
  • 2 cups water or low-sodium vegetable broth (for cooking farro)
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey (preferably organic or pasture-raised)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced (preferably English cucumber)
  • ½ cup shredded carrot
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons tahini
  • Juice of 1 lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 23 tablespoons water (to thin dressing as needed)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 cup of farro under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine rinsed farro with 2 cups of water or vegetable broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 25-30 minutes until tender but still chewy. Drain any excess liquid and fluff with a fork. If farro absorbs all the liquid before it’s tender, add a splash more water and continue cooking.
  2. While farro cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of olive oil, then toss in chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper, stirring for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Break it up with a spatula and cook for 7-9 minutes until browned and cooked through. If the pan gets too dry, add a teaspoon of water to keep things moist. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  4. While the turkey cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, shred the carrot, and chop parsley and mint. Toss these in a large mixing bowl.
  5. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, honey or maple syrup, and 2 tablespoons of water. Add more water a little at a time until the dressing reaches a smooth, pourable consistency. Season with salt and pepper. If the dressing thickens after sitting, stir in a splash of water before serving.
  6. Once farro and turkey are ready, add the farro to the veggie bowl along with the cooked turkey. Drizzle the lemon-tahini dressing over the top and toss gently to combine all the flavors. Let the bowl sit for 5-10 minutes to help the dressing soak in and the flavors marry.
  7. Portion into bowls and, if desired, garnish with extra fresh herbs or a sprinkle of toasted nuts for crunch. Serve immediately or chill for a refreshing cold bowl later.

Notes

[‘Do not overcook the farro; it should remain tender with a slight bite.’, ‘Season the turkey well with smoked paprika and cumin for subtle layers of flavor.’, ‘Use fresh herbs generously to brighten the bowl.’, ‘Make the lemon-tahini dressing last to maintain its creamy texture; add water slowly.’, ‘Multitask by prepping veggies and cooking turkey while farro simmers to save time.’, ‘Leftovers taste great cold or at room temperature, ideal for meal prep.’, ‘For gluten-free option, substitute farro with quinoa or brown rice.’, ‘Vegetarian option: swap ground turkey for cooked chickpeas or crumbled tofu.’, ‘Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or harissa to the dressing for a spicy kick.’, ‘To freeze, store cooked farro and turkey separately; keep veggies and dressing fresh.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: ground turkey bowl, farro bowl, summer recipe, clean eating, healthy dinner, lemon tahini dressing, quick meals, fresh veggies, whole grains