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    Home » Recipes » Easter Recipes

    5 Minute Lemon Arugula Salad

    Published: Jan 18, 2022 · Modified: Nov 4, 2022 by Jessie · This post may contain affiliate links; if you buy something we'll earn a commission at no cost to you.

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    This easy arugula salad is ready in just a few minutes, with a simple homemade lemon dijon dressing!

    Arugula salad in a white bowl with bronze serving spoons. this recipe

    This quick arugula salad is my go-to side dish for just about any occasion.

    Busy weeknight with no time to cook? Dinner party with plenty of rich dishes, but no greens? 5 minute arugula salad to the rescue.

    This lemon arugula salad is the perfect way to add a pile of greens to any meal when you're in a hurry, and it's great for entertaining because it takes all of three seconds to pull together (so you can relax and chat!)

    Salad ingredients measured into individual bowls, sitting on a white table.

    All you need for this green salad

    This simple arugula salad is a perfect blank-canvas recipe! You just need a few pantry and fridge staples to get started:

    • Olive oil, dijon mustard, and lemon juice (plus salt and pepper) for a quick dressing.
    • Plenty of fresh arugula
    • Shaved parmesan cheese

    That's it!

    Oil, lemon juice, mustard, and pepper in a small white bowl next to a black whisk.

    How to make the dressing

    This quick lemon dressing is ready in no time with a few ingredients and a mason jar! After a few tries, you won't even need a recipe anymore.

    Just add a spoonful of dijon mustard, a Tablespoon of lemon juice, and a few glugs of olive oil to a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, then attach the lid and shake well.

    Use the dressing immediately or keep it in the fridge for up to a week. You can also double or triple the recipe so you have extra!

    No mason jar? Just whisk the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl.

    Easy salad dressing swaps

    This dressing is easy to customize! A few of our favorite riffs:

    • Swap the lemon juice for another acid like balsamic vinegar, lime juice, or apple cider vinegar.
    • Add fresh or dried herbs for a pop of flavor. You can also add a pinch of your favorite spices (turmeric, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, and curry powder are a few of our favorites!)
    • For a creamier dressing, add a spoonful of mayonnaise, greek yogurt, or sour cream.
    Hand pouring dressing over fresh arugula and parmesan cheese in a large white bowl.

    Customize your arugula salad

    One of the reasons we love this salad so much: It's the best blank canvas for just about any extra veggies or proteins you have on hand.

    Use the recipe below as a jumping-off point, and then mix it up with your favorite additions! Some of our favorites:

    • Fresh fruit. Sliced avocado, strawberries, pears, apples, watermelon, and peaches are all excellent in this salad: use whatever is in season around you! You can also add a handful of pomegranate arils for extra texture.
    • Extra veggies. Add sliced beets, roasted butternut squash, tomatoes, corn, bell peppers, snap peas, or any other veggies you have kicking around.
    • Mix up the greens. No arugula? No problem! Use fresh spinach or kale in place of some or all of the arugula here.
    • Swap the parmesan cheese for a handful of crumbled feta, blue cheese, or goat cheese.
    • Add your favorite protein! Add some chicken (diced, grilled, or shredded) or salmon here, or add some crispy chickpeas or hard-boiled egg slices to keep it vegetarian!
    • Make it heartier with some cooked pasta, quinoa, or farro! We also love adding a handful of walnuts, pumpkin seeds (pepitas), sliced almonds, or sunflower seeds.
    Bronze salad forks lifting a scoop of arugula salad out of a large white bowl.

    A few FAQs

    How long does this salad last?

    Arugula wilts pretty quickly once it's dressed; we recommend making this salad just before you want to eat it.

    Can I make this dressing ahead of time?

    Yes! Shake or whisk the dressing together, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. You can also double or triple the dressing recipe to make extra so you can use it all week long!

    Can I make this salad vegan?

    Yes! If you're vegan, omit the parmesan cheese and be sure to use a vegan dijon mustard. Make it a bit heartier by adding one or more of the vegan mix-ins listed above!

    What should I serve with arugula salad?

    We love this salad on its own or as a side dish! It pairs well with seafood (like our white wine barramundi or mustard salmon), our favorite slow cooker maple dijon chicken, or just a loaf of crusty bread!

    Overhead view of arugula salad in a white bowl, with toasted bread and lemon slices on the side.

    Video: How to make lemon arugula salad

    Print
    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
    Arugula salad in a large white bowl with two serving forks.

    5 Minute Lemon Arugula Salad

    ★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
    • Author: Jessie
    • Prep Time: 4 min
    • Cook Time: 1 min
    • Total Time: 5 minutes
    • Yield: Serves 4
    • Category: Salad
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    This easy lemon arugula salad is ready in just five minutes!


    Ingredients

    Scale

    For the dressing (makes ¼ cup):

    • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
    • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice or balsamic vinegar
    • 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    For the Salad:

    • 4 heaping cups fresh arugula
    • 2 ounces shaved parmesan cheese (or crumbled feta, blue, or goat)

    Instructions

    Make the dressing:

    1. Combine the mustard, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid. Attach the lid and shake the jar until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.

      Note: if you don’t have a jar, whisk the dressing together in a small bowl.

    Assemble the salad:

    1. Add arugula and parmesan cheese to a large bowl. 
    2. Drizzle vinaigrette over the greens and toss until coated.  
    3. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    Substitutions. Use balsamic vinegar, lime juice, or apple cider vinegar in place of the lemon juice in the dressing. Use goat cheese, feta, or blue cheese instead of parmesan. Swap fresh spinach or kale for some or all of the arugula here.

    Mix-ins and Additions. This salad is a great blank canvas recipe! Add fruit (berries, sliced peaches, apples, or pears, tomatoes, avocado), extra veggies (roasted squash, corn, bell pepper) or protein (salmon, shrimp, chicken, bacon, beans, hard boiled egg). Add some nuts (walnuts, sliced almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds) for extra texture.

    Strict vegetarians should look for parmesan cheese made without rennet.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size:
    • Calories: 156
    • Sugar: 0.6 g
    • Sodium: 278.3 mg
    • Fat: 14.5 g
    • Carbohydrates: 1.5 g
    • Protein: 5.9 g
    • Cholesterol: 10.2 mg

    Keywords: summer, side dish, vegetarian

    Tag @lifeasastrawberry on Instagram to show us what you're cooking! Nutrition information is calculated per serving; it is approximate and will vary based on many factors.

    The photos for this recipe were taken by Casey at The Mindful Hapa!

    More Easter Recipes

    • Small Batch Cinnamon Rolls (Makes 6)
    • Cranberry Brie Stuffed French Toast
    • Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
    • Lemon Poppyseed Scones

    I'm Jessie, and I like to talk about food. Tag your recipes #LifeAsAStrawberry on social media to share your creations! Learn about our team!

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    1. Casey Colodny

      January 28, 2022 at 3:06 pm

      so simple but so good!! i threw some seared tempeh ontop with some extra red onion and was so satisfied!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Team Life As A Strawberry

        January 29, 2022 at 9:35 am

        WAHOO! We love the addition of crispy tempeh for added protein!

        Reply

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