Arugula Salads: 15 Simple and Delicious Recipes (Step-by-Step)

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Thanks to its slightly peppery taste, arugula makes even the simplest salads more interesting, and the variety of dressings allows for new combinations every time. It harmoniously complements meat, fish, seafood, fruits, and various cheeses. We've gathered arugula salad recipes for all occasions – from a light snack to a festive table!

Arugula and Seafood Salad Recipes

The slight bitterness of arugula beautifully enhances the taste of shrimp, tuna, and calamari, while lemon juice, olive oil, and fresh vegetables make these salads fresh and balanced.

Shrimp, Arugula, and Parmesan Salad

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Easy, quick, and sure to please everyone!

Ingredients

For a beautiful presentation, use small, colorful tomatoes.

• 120 g peeled large shrimp;
• 50 g arugula;
• 180 g cherry tomatoes;
• 50 g Parmesan cheese;
• 2 tablespoons olive oil;
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice;
• salt and ground black pepper to taste;
• olive oil for frying.

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Pat dry and quickly fry the shrimp in oil in a well-heated pan for 1-2 minutes per side.
2. Rinse and pat dry the arugula, and cut the cherry tomatoes in half.
3. For the salad dressing, mix olive oil with lemon juice, salt, and ground black pepper.
4. Combine the arugula, shrimp, and tomatoes, drizzle with dressing, and sprinkle the salad with thin Parmesan shavings.

Tuna, Egg, and Arugula Salad

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A great choice for a quick and light dinner.

Ingredients

It's best to use tuna in its own juice, not in oil.

• 1 can canned tuna;
• 50 g arugula;
• 2 chicken eggs;
• 150 g cherry tomatoes;
• 1/2 purple onion;
• 2 tablespoons olive oil;
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard;
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice;
• salt and ground black pepper to taste.

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Boil, peel, and slice the eggs into wedges. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half, and the purple onion into thin strips.
2. Drain the liquid from the tuna and flake it into small pieces. Rinse and pat dry the arugula.
3. Mix olive oil, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. Combine all ingredients with the dressing, and season the salad with salt and pepper.

Calamari, Cucumber, and Arugula Salad

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A fresh and original salad without complex ingredients.

Ingredients

It's important not to overcook the calamari, otherwise it will become tough.

• 1 squid tube;
• 50 g arugula;
• 1 long cucumber;
• 1/2 avocado;
• 2 tablespoons olive oil;
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice;
• salt and ground black pepper to taste.

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Boil the calamari for 1.5-2 minutes in boiling water, cool, and slice into rings.
2. Slice the cucumber into half-moons, and the avocado into wedges. Rinse and pat dry the arugula.
3. Mix all ingredients together, drizzle the salad with olive oil and lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Best Vegetable Arugula Salad Recipes

These arugula salads are great because they can be made almost year-round. In summer, fresh seasonal vegetables are enough, and in colder months, baked beets, pumpkin, or other available products will come to the rescue.

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Vegetable Salad with Arugula and Beets

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Bitter arugula and sweet beets – simply a perfect duo.

Ingredients

You can make a salad with baked pumpkin instead of beets using the exact same principle.

• 2 small beets;
• 50 g arugula;
• 80 g feta cheese;
• 40 g walnuts;
• 2 tablespoons olive oil;
• 1 teaspoon balsamic glaze;
• salt and ground black pepper to taste.

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Bake or boil the beets until tender, peel, and cut into large cubes.
2. Toast the walnuts in a dry pan and chop them coarsely.
3. Arrange the arugula, beets, and crumbled feta on a plate, then drizzle the salad with a mixture of olive oil and balsamic glaze.
4. After that, sprinkle the salad with nuts and serve immediately.

Radish, Cucumber, and Arugula Salad

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The freshest and lightest everyday salad!

Ingredients

If the radish is old and bitter, simply peel off the skin.

• 50 g arugula;
• 2 cucumbers;
• 6-8 radishes;
• 3 sprigs of dill;
• 2 tablespoons olive oil;
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice;
• salt and spices to taste.

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Slice the cucumbers into half-moons, and the radishes into thin slices.
2. Rinse and pat dry the arugula, finely chop the dill, and for the dressing, mix oil, lemon juice, salt, and spices to taste.
3. Combine all ingredients with the dressing and gently mix the salad.

Arugula, Fig, and Feta Salad

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Sweet figs harmoniously complement arugula and tomatoes.

Ingredients

The main thing is that the figs are firm and hold their shape well.

• 5 fresh figs;
• 100 g cherry tomatoes;
• 100 g feta cheese;
• 50 g arugula;
• 2 teaspoons pine nuts;
• 1 tablespoon olive oil;
• 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze;
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano;
• salt and ground black pepper to taste.

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Rinse and pat dry the arugula, cut the figs into quarters, and the cherry tomatoes in half.
2. Arrange everything beautifully on plates, crumble feta on top, and sprinkle the salad with pine nuts and oregano.
3. Season with salt and pepper, and drizzle the salad with olive oil and balsamic glaze.

Arugula and Meat or Poultry Salad Recipes

Arugula pairs well not only with vegetables and seafood but also with various types of meat. The result is both hearty and healthy, give it a try!

Chicken, Arugula, and Cheese Salad

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A rather hearty salad for lunch or dinner any day.

Ingredients

Chicken fillet can be baked or grilled in advance.

• 250 g chicken fillet;
• 50 g arugula;
• 150 g cherry tomatoes;
• 50 g hard cheese;
• 2 tablespoons olive oil;
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice;
• salt and spices to taste.

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Rub the chicken fillet with spices and fry or bake until cooked through. Let it cool.
2. Slice the chicken into strips, and cut the cherry tomatoes in half.
3. Rinse and pat dry the arugula, grate the cheese on a coarse grater, and separately mix olive oil with lemon juice.
4. Combine all ingredients and drizzle the salad with the dressing.

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Arugula and Roast Beef Salad

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Such an impressive salad can even be served for a special occasion or a festive table.

Ingredients

It's best to use ready-made chilled roast beef.

• 180 g roast beef;
• 50 g arugula;
• 1 bell pepper;
• 1/2 purple onion;
• 30 g walnuts;
• 2 tablespoons olive oil;
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard;
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar;
• salt and ground black pepper to taste.

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Slice the roast beef thinly.
2. Cut the bell pepper into strips, and the purple onion into thin half-rings.
3. Rinse and pat dry the arugula, coarsely chop the walnuts, and arrange everything beautifully on plates.
4. Mix olive oil, Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste, and drizzle this dressing over the salad.

Duck Breast, Apple, and Arugula Salad

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For when you want something more original and refined!

Ingredients

If you have some lingonberry sauce, add it to the dressing too.

• 200 g duck breast;
• 50 g arugula;
• 1 small apple;
• 40 g walnuts;
• 2 tablespoons olive oil;
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar;
• 1 teaspoon honey;
• salt and ground black pepper to taste.

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Sear the duck breast in a pan until cooked, let it rest a bit, and slice thinly.
2. Slice the apple into thin wedges, toast the walnuts in a dry pan, and coarsely chop them.
3. For the salad dressing, mix olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and honey.
4. Arrange the ingredients beautifully on plates, drizzle with dressing, and sprinkle with nuts.

Healthy Arugula Salad Recipes

With a little imagination, a healthy diet can also be very diverse. Arugula will be an excellent green base for healthy salads, the best recipes for which we have collected in this section!

Healthy Cottage Cheese and Arugula Salad

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A wonderful salad with a lot of protein.

Ingredients

It's best to use crumbly cottage cheese with 5% fat content.

• 150 g granular cottage cheese;
• 50 g arugula;
• 2 tomatoes;
• 1 cucumber;
• 1 tablespoon olive oil;
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice;
• salt and ground black pepper to taste.

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Rinse and pat dry the arugula, cut the vegetables into small pieces.
2. Mix all vegetables with cottage cheese, season with salt and pepper.
3. Combine olive oil with lemon juice and drizzle the salad with the resulting dressing.

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Healthy Arugula and Tofu Salad

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Tofu absorbs the flavor of the dressing and spices well.

Ingredients

For a more pronounced flavor, you can lightly fry the tofu in a dry pan.

• 180 g tofu;
• 50 g arugula;
• 1 bell pepper;
• 1 cucumber;
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce;
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil;
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds;
• spices to taste.

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Cut the tofu, cucumber, and bell pepper into medium-sized cubes.
2. Rinse and pat dry the arugula, and mix all ingredients together.
3. Combine sesame oil, soy sauce, sesame seeds, and a little spice to taste. Dress the salad with this dressing and serve.

Healthy Quinoa, Avocado, and Arugula Salad

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Quinoa pairs well with vegetables and greens, and makes the salad heartier.

Ingredients

Completely cool the quinoa before adding it to the salad.

• 80 g quinoa;
• 50 g arugula;
• 150 g cherry tomatoes;
• 1 cucumber;
• 1/2 avocado;
• 2 tablespoons olive oil;
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice;
• salt and ground black pepper to taste.

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Cook quinoa according to package instructions, rinse and pat dry the arugula, and arbitrarily chop the vegetables.
2. Separately mix olive oil with lemon juice, salt, and ground black pepper.
3. Combine all ingredients, drizzle the salad with dressing, and gently mix.

Fruit Arugula Salad Recipes

Fruits soften the taste of arugula, and its slight bitterness helps to highlight the sweetness and juiciness of the other ingredients. These salads are great for a light snack, as well as an accompaniment to meat or cheeses!

Pear, Arugula, and Blue Cheese Salad

Source: AdobeStock

One of the most successful combinations for a festive table or a romantic dinner.

Ingredients

Choose a ripe but firm pear.

• 1 large pear;
• 50 g arugula;
• 80 g blue cheese;
• 30 g walnuts;
• 2 tablespoons olive oil;
• 1 teaspoon honey;
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice.

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Slice the pear into thin wedges, and rinse and pat dry the arugula.
2. Toast the walnuts in a dry pan and coarsely chop them.
3. Crumble the cheese and arrange everything beautifully on plates.
4. Mix olive oil, honey, and lemon juice, and drizzle this dressing over the salad. Done!

Orange, Arugula, and Feta Salad

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The brightness and tanginess of citrus are incredibly appropriate here!

Ingredients

Remove all membranes from the orange segments to make the salad as tender as possible.

• 1 large orange;
• 50 g arugula;
• 50 g feta cheese;
• 30 g shelled pistachios;
• 2 tablespoons olive oil;
• 1 teaspoon grainy mustard;
• salt and ground black pepper to taste.

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Peel the orange and break the segments into small pieces.
2. Coarsely chop the pistachios, rinse and pat dry the arugula.
3. Combine the arugula, orange, and crumbled feta.
4. Mix oil, grainy mustard, salt, and ground pepper, drizzle this dressing over the salad, and sprinkle with pistachios.

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Fruit Salad with Arugula, Strawberries, and Mozzarella

Source: AdobeStock

A light summer salad that whets the appetite just by its appearance.

Ingredients

Mini mozzarella balls are best for this recipe.

• 200 g strawberries;
• 50 g arugula;
• 100 g mini mozzarella;
• 2 tablespoons olive oil;
• 1 teaspoon balsamic glaze;
• 1 sprig of mint;
• ground black pepper to taste.

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Cut the strawberries in half, rinse the arugula, and pat dry the mozzarella balls.
2. Arrange everything beautifully on a plate, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze.
3. Lightly season with pepper and sprinkle the salad with chopped mint.

Helpful Cooking Tips

Even the simplest arugula salad will turn out delicious and juicy if you prepare the ingredients correctly and dress it at the very last moment. These life hacks will help you preserve the freshness of the greens, reveal their taste, and avoid common mistakes!

Do you need to remove the stems from arugula?

If the leaves are young, there's no need to remove anything. For large or old arugula, the lower part of the stems can be tough, so it's best to trim them.

Do you need to wash arugula if it's already packaged?

Even if the package states that the greens are ready to eat, it's best to quickly rinse them with cool water. But immediately pat the arugula dry so the salad doesn't become watery.

Why is arugula very bitter?

A slight bitterness is natural for arugula. But if the leaves are too bitter, they have likely overgrown or been stored for too long. Combine them with sweet ingredients to soften the taste. For example – with baked beets, pear, or a honey dressing.

When is the best time to dress an arugula salad?

Immediately before serving. If done in advance, the arugula will quickly lose volume, and the vegetables will start to release juice.

How to make an arugula salad more filling?

Add a source of protein or complex carbohydrates. Chicken, turkey, tuna, shrimp, eggs, cottage cheese, quinoa, bulgur, or beans work well.

Which cheeses pair best with arugula?

Parmesan, feta, mozzarella, goat cheese, burrata, and blue cheeses are most commonly used. The choice depends on the other ingredients in the salad.

How to keep arugula fresh longer?

Store it in the refrigerator in a container or bag with a paper towel that will absorb excess moisture. It's best to wash the greens immediately before preparing.

Variations of Dressings for Arugula Salads

Arugula pairs well with a variety of dressings – from a classic mixture of vegetable oil and lemon juice to richer sauces based on mustard, mayonnaise, or Greek yogurt.

The main thing here is not to overdo it with multi-component mixtures. Arugula is slightly spicy on its own, so it usually doesn't need many spices or overly complex dressings. It's also best not to use mayonnaise-based dressings, as the leaves instantly lose their appearance and texture.

Instead of classic olive oil, you can try others – unrefined sunflower, sesame, flaxseed, pumpkin, nut, and avocado oil. The main thing is to use them in small quantities so that they complement the taste of the ingredients, rather than overpowering it.

Here are a few more basic recommendations:

1. For salads with shrimp, tuna, calamari, and fish – olive oil, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard.

2. For vegetable salads – olive oil, lemon juice, wine vinegar or balsamic, salt, black pepper, aromatic herbs.

3. For salads with chicken, turkey, or beef – vegetable oil, grainy mustard, and a little honey.

4. For salads with sweet beets, pumpkin, pear, or fruits – olive oil with honey and balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze.

5. For healthy salads – the same classic olive oil, and also – Greek yogurt or sour cream with garlic, herbs, or lemon juice.

6. For Asian-style salads – soy sauce, sesame oil, a little teriyaki.

How to Properly Serve Arugula Salad

Arugula salads are served immediately after preparation, while the leaves remain fresh and crispy. They can be placed in a large salad bowl for communal serving or portioned onto flat plates. If the salad is prepared for a buffet or a festive table, then dessert bowls and cocktail glasses look good, although they are not suitable for all recipes.

Light vegetable and fruit salads pair well with fish, seafood, chicken, turkey, and grilled dishes. More substantial options with meat, cheese, grains, and legumes are complete meals on their own. They can be complemented with fresh baguette, ciabatta, garlic toast, focaccia, or crackers.