This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This easy arugula salad recipe is light, tasty, and comes together in about 10 minutes. It’s the perfect side salad for virtually any main course and a fantastic last-minute option!
You may also like my 10-Minute Caesar Dressing or Homemade Ranch Dressing.
Why you’ll love it
Arugula salad is one of those ubiquitous salads that you’ve probably had before at a restaurant, or maybe someone served it at a dinner party. It’s pretty popular, and for good reason! It’s super simple to throw together and has a 4-ingredient dressing.
Another bonus? It’s a salad that makes a wonderful base to throw in your favorite ingredients. Putting your own signature twist on this simple arugula salad is easy, and soon everyone will be begging you for the recipe. It goes with everything!
What you’ll need
- Baby arugula – it’s a peppery green that has a ton of flavor and lots of nutrients! It’s so good that it doesn’t need much to complement its taste. For my U.K. and overseas readers, this is a rocket salad.
- Parmesan cheese – the nuttiness of parm plays well with the other flavors here
- Olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard – that’s all you need for the simple yet addictive homemade vinaigrette!
- Salt & pepper – as with any salad, be generous
Pro tips
- Since this has so few ingredients, each one shines. That’s why it’s really important to grate your own parmesan cheese. The pre-grated stuff or the kind in a can just don’t compare in taste or texture. We’re looking for the real deal, aka a block of Parmigiano-Reggiano.
- Can I make it ahead? You can, but only if you add the dressing and parmesan to the salad just before serving. But go ahead and make the dressing ahead of time and store in a covered jar in the fridge for a few days. Just don’t assemble all of the individual elements into a salad until you’re ready since it wilts fairly quickly!
How to make arugula salad
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small prep bowl. Add the arugula to a salad bowl.
Grate the parmesan cheese. Just before serving, add the parmesan to the salad and pour the dressing over the arugula and toss. Season with salt and pepper, and enjoy immediately!
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- I used my Microplane zester to grate the parmesan cheese. It’s a really handy tool to have.
- Pictured is one of these glass prep bowls. I love ’em.
- Store the rest of your lemon in this cute lemon keeper.
Tips for success
- Try it the first time as written, but it’s easy to add more olive oil or lemon juice to suit your personal preferences. It’s a flexible recipe, and pretty soon you’ll be making it like I do without measuring at all!
- I don’t recommend leaving out the Dijon mustard. It brings a great savory dimension to the dressing and doesn’t make it taste mustard-y.
- The honey helps balance the acidity of the lemon juice and peppery arugula. If you can’t have honey, use another sweeter like a pinch of sugar or agave.
Substitutions and variations
- Pine nuts would go really well, especially if they’re toasted. Really, any nuts or seeds are probably going to be tasty here.
- If you want more color and/or veggies, cherry tomatoes or avocado are a solid choice.
- Even though a classic arugula salad can usually be found with parmesan, go ahead and sub the parm for goat cheese, feta, or any cheese you normally enjoy in salads!
What to serve with arugula salad
- I enjoy pairing it with pasta like this Easy Pasta Puttanesca or Italian Sausage and Mushroom Gnocchi.
- But it goes with practically anything from Creamy Garlic Pork Chops to Honey Mustard Salmon or Creamy Pesto Chicken. The possibilities are endless.
- I have been known to eat it all by itself in a massive bowl as a light lunch with a slice of crusty bread. Why not?
More easy salad recipes
I’d love it if you left a star rating and review below if you made this easy arugula salad! You can also tag me on Instagram if you made this or any S&L recipe.
Parmesan Arugula Salad
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese + more if needed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 (5 ounce) package arugula
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- I strongly recommend buying a wedge of parmesan cheese for the best flavor vs. buying the pre-grated kind. Either grate it (I use my Microplane to make it light and fluffy) or use a potato/vegetable peeler to shave it.
- Add the dressing ingredients (oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard) to a small bowl and whisk together.
- Add the arugula to a salad bowl and toss with the dressing and parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust if needed (e.g. add a splash more oil or lemon juice) and season with salt & pepper. This salad wilts quickly, so enjoy it right away. Grate/shave more parmesan on top if you wish.
Notes
- Double all ingredients if you need a larger salad. This one serves up to 4 as a side (it’s quite light).
- You can also find this recipe on page 209 of the Salt & Lavender: Everyday Essentials hardcover cookbook.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
© Salt & Lavender Inc. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this blog post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization to social media is strictly prohibited.
Your recipes are my go to in making my grocery prep list! Everything is fabulous! I’m going to order your cookbook for sure! My husband is an executive chef at a fine dining restaurant and he thinks I am the best home cook ever! I have to give you props for that!
Awww thank you so much, Elizabeth!! 😀