Trust us: once you try this Arugula Salad with Lemon and Sea Salt, you’ll want to make it on repeat! You just need 5 ingredients and about 2 minutes to whip up this refreshing, nutritious green side dish that everyone will enjoy.
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This recipe is…
Once upon a time, I thought, “goodness, I haven’t posted anything to my Instagram Stories today!” So, while I was whipping up a quick dinner, I quickly showed the UBER simple (and also UBER delicious) side dish that was accompanying our grilled steaks and baked potatoes.
It was a side dish that I made (and still make) ALL THE TIME. It was none other than my very most favorite salad: the Arugula Salad with Lemon and Sea Salt. I shared (in Stories) how this simple salad came together, settled in for dinner with my hubby, and thought nothing else of it. THEN, the notes started rolling in.
Several of you MADE the salad (I’m always amazed when you make my recipes) and LOVED it! After the story series disappeared, as they do after 24 hours, I received dozens of notes asking for a repeat/repost. Even though it took me a few months, I finally making good on my promise to you!
One of the best things about this simple arugula salad is that it goes with almost everything! Try it alongside our Spaghetti Squash Meatball Boats, Gluten Free Pasta Primavera, Sausage & Roasted Tomato Pasta, or Chicken Soup with Ginger and Turmeric.
Why You’ll Love This Arugula Salad Recipe
- Just 5 ingredients!
- Even better…it takes less than 5 minutes to throw together!
- Versatile salad goes with/compliments practically everything
Lemon Arugula Salad Recipe Ingredients
Just 5 super simple ingredients yield the tastiest, goes-with-everything side salad! Find ingredient notes (including substitutions and swaps) below.
- Arugula – about 4 cups of fresh arugula make up the base of this simple salad.
- Olive Oil – a good drizzle of olive oil (this is my favorite), and…
- Lemon Juice – …the juice from a whole lemon (freshly squeezed is KEY here + this citrus squeezer makes that super easy) create the salad ‘dressing.’
- Sea Salt – a pinch (½ teaspoon to be exact) of sea salt, and…
- Cracked Black Pepper – …cracked black pepper are both crucial components of this simple salad + give it a *really* great flavor! Don’t skip these two!
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Arugula Salad Toppings
If you want to take your arugula salad up a notch, here are a few more toppings to consider:
- Cheese – Shredded parmesan cheese, goat cheese, or feta would all be great options here!
- Nuts – I love a little extra crunch in my salad, so nuts are usually a go-to add-in for me. Pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, or even pine nuts work great, especially if you toast them first!
- Red Onion – If you like a little bit of bite, thinly sliced, diced, or even pickled red onion pack a delicious punch.
- Dried Fruit – For a hint of sweetness, try an arugula salad with fruit like dried cranberries or even chopped dates serve as a great contrast to the bitterness of the arugula.
How to Make Arugula Salad
This salad is so simple, I feel a little silly sharing it…but it’s also so good, so I know you’re in good hands if you want to give it a go! Now that the weather is cooler, arugula is back in season, so this salad can be quickly made any night of the week.
Step 1: Grab your fresh arugula and add it to a large bowl. Drizzle the arugula with a little olive oil, a squeeze of fresh lemon, a pinch of sea salt (crucial), and a crack of black pepper (also crucial).
Step 2: Give the greens a quick toss and BOOM – a fresh, delicious side salad that will go well with pretty much any meal!
How to Serve
Dress and toss this simple arugula salad, and serve it with just about ANYTHING! I especially like it next to Italian food because the bright flavors balance out anything heavy. See below for some of my favorite dishes to serve with this salad.
How to Store
Store the salad and dressing separately for up to three days, and combine and toss just before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Arugula has soared in popularity over the last few years, but what exactly is it? Arugula is peppery, slightly bitter leafy green cruciferous veggie also known as rocket. It’s not quite as fragile as lettuce varieties like butter or romaine, but not quite as sturdy as kale, either. It falls right in the middle – which means it holds up well to dressings, but won’t be a great choice for a make-ahead salad or for sauteeing like kale or chard.
Yes, arugula is a great food to incorporate into your diet as it is high in calcium and Vitamins A, K, and C. We are big proponents of including leafy greens in your daily diet whenever possible, and peppery arugula is a great one to rotate in.
While the possibilities are endless, I especially like this lemony arugula salad served with Italian-inspired dishes like Spaghetti Squash Meatball Boats, Gluten Free Pasta Primavera, and Sausage & Roasted Tomato Pasta.
More Favorite Salad Recipes
If you tried this recipe for Arugula Salad with Lemon and Sea Salt, or any other recipe on the Fed & Fit website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how it went in the 📝 comments below!
Arugula Salad with Lemon and Sea Salt
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh arugula
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Place the arugula in a large bowl.
- Sprinkle with the remaining ingredients, toss, and serve!
Nutrition
I added some thinly sliced fennel, toasted pine nuts and parmesan. So good. A tiny bit more work but a very nice looking and tasting salad to bring to a dinner party as it goes well with a lot of foods.
Yum! That sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing this with us, Josee!
Would any other lettuce work?
Sure! Use whatever you have!!
Sure! Use whatever you have!!
I’ve always hated arugula until this recipe and after I tried it, I couldn’t stop making it!! I especially love it with Parmesan on top and with salmon or lasagna! Thanks for another incredible recipe!! ❤️
This is such an awesome salad. Perfect proportions! I like to mix the “dressing” ahead of time in an empty salad bowl and lay the arugula on top, and then give it a good toss just before serving. I also like to add a couple of shaves of parm on top sometimes … yummy!
So glad you enjoyed it Colleen! Love the addition of parmesan.
I’ve been having this salad almost daily for weeks now. I just throw it together in the morning and take it to work as a side salad with my lunch. I also add a pinch or two of shredded parmigiano reggiano to the mix because the saltiness and nuttiness go so well with arugula. I just wanted to drop in and say thank you for sharing!
I threw this together with dinner last night (literally only took 2 minutes) and was surprised at how tasty it was!! It seemed so simple so I wasn’t expecting too much, but I really enjoyed it. The citrus flavor with the spiciness of the arugala was fantastic. A quick and yummy way to get some greens in. Thank you, Cassy!
So glad you enjoyed it Daena!