Discover the ultimate make-ahead dish with this Crock Pot Grains recipe, a hearty medley of quinoa, brown rice, and farro slow-cooked to perfection in savory vegetable broth. Infused with aromatic garlic powder, dried thyme, and a hint of black pepper, this dish offers a rich, herbaceous flavor that’s both comforting and versatile. Designed for busy lifestyles, the recipe requires just 10 minutes of prep time before the crock pot takes over, transforming simple pantry staples into a fluffy, nutrient-packed side dish or meal base. Perfect for grain bowls, salads, or stir-fries, this recipe is a hands-off way to elevate wholesome whole grains into everyday mealtime staples. Make it ahead and enjoy its convenience—leftovers store beautifully for up to four days!
Rinse the quinoa, brown rice, and farro thoroughly under cold water using a fine mesh sieve to remove any excess starch and debris. Drain well.
In a 6-quart crock pot, add the rinsed quinoa, brown rice, and farro.
Pour in the vegetable broth and stir in the olive oil, salt, garlic powder, dried thyme, and black pepper until evenly distributed.
Add the bay leaf to the mixture, ensuring it is submerged in the liquid.
Cover the crock pot with the lid and set it to cook on the LOW setting for 4 hours. Avoid opening the lid during cooking, as this can release steam and extend cook time.
After 4 hours, check the grains for doneness. They should be tender and all liquid should be absorbed. If there's still some liquid, cook for an additional 15-30 minutes on LOW.
Once the grains are cooked, remove the bay leaf and fluff the mixture gently with a fork.
Serve immediately as a side dish or use as the base for grain bowls, salads, or stir-fries. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Calories |
2110 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 43.8 g | 56% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.0 g | 25% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 6915 mg | 301% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 355.5 g | 129% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 40.5 g | 145% | |
| Total Sugars | 21.8 g | ||
| Protein | 77.3 g | 155% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 330 mg | 25% | |
| Iron | 17.0 mg | 94% | |
| Potassium | 2796 mg | 59% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.