Looking to spice up your meal routine? Our collection of 13 arugula salad recipes is here to inspire you! This unique leafy green boasts a bold, peppery flavor that sets it apart from other salad greens. When you’re craving something more than just a simple spinach or romaine salad, arugula’s delicate texture and robust taste make it the perfect choice. With its mild bitterness balanced by a hint of pepperiness, arugula shines under light dressings and vinaigrettes.
Whether you’re in the mood for sweet and fruity pairings or savory and hearty combinations, our list has something for everyone. From classic pairings like strawberries and feta to international inspirations like Mediterranean pesto shrimp and Asian-style mango udon noodles, arugula’s versatility knows no bounds. Ready to get started? Check out our curated selection of 13 arugula salad recipes and start cooking up a storm!
13 of the Best Arugula Salad Recipes
Indulge in a culinary adventure with these 13 mouth-watering Arugula salad recipes, each one a perfect blend of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more. From classic combinations to innovative twists, this collection is sure to satisfy your taste buds and inspire new creations in the kitchen.
Caprese (Mozzarella & Tomato) Arugula Salad
A classic Italian dish that never goes out of style is Caprese. At its core are three ingredients that shine on their own: fresh basil leaves, raw tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella cheese. When you add a handful of peppery arugula and finish with a drizzle of balsamic and olive oil, the flavor profile takes a dramatic leap forward. This simple yet elegant salad is more than just a collection of ingredients – it’s a harmonious balance of textures and tastes that will leave you wanting more.
The sweetness of the tomatoes pairs beautifully with the saltiness of the mozzarella, while the basil adds a bright and refreshing note. And let’s not forget the arugula, which brings a delightful bitterness to the party. With its surprising depth of flavor, Caprese is an easy salad recipe that’s sure to become a staple in your culinary repertoire.
Apple Pecan Arugula Salad
Elevate your dinner table with a refreshing twist on traditional salads – arugula salad recipes featuring fruit! This delightful combination not only adds a touch of sweetness but also offers a satisfying crunch from the pecans and apples. The result is a harmonious blend of flavors that’s perfect for a hearty meal or as a base for sautéed shrimp, grilled steak, or other savory delights.
Caesar Arugula Salad
While traditional Caesars often rely on mild greens like iceberg or romaine, substituting in a peppier alternative like arugula can elevate the dish to new heights. The natural bitterness of arugula adds depth and complexity, creating a more exciting flavor profile that will keep you coming back for more.
Strawberry Feta Arugula Salad
Indulge in a sweet and savory combination with this arugula salad recipe featuring fresh fruit. A surprising yet harmonious pairing is at play when strawberries meet freshly cracked pepper, a secret cherished by culinary enthusiasts. The union of these two ingredients creates a match made in heaven for those who crave a pop of color on their plate.
To add depth and richness, crumbled feta cheese brings a subtle salty creaminess that expertly balances the texture and flavor of the salad, elevating it to a new level of deliciousness.
Watermelon Arugula Salad
This effortless arugula salad recipe boasts simplicity at its core, requiring only a handful of ingredients to come together in a jiffy. The end result is a vibrant, mouth-watering creation that’s as refreshing as it is flavorful, thanks to the star power of watermelon. A delicate balance of lemon juice, oil, and spices perfectly complements the sweetness of the melon, while crumbled parmesan adds a satisfying depth to this delightful dish.
Roasted Pumpkin Arugula Salad
Indulge in the quintessential flavors of fall with the roasted pumpkin arugula salad, a culinary masterpiece that’s sure to become a staple on your autumnal recipe roster. While pumpkin is the ideal choice for this dish, acorn or butternut squash can be seamlessly substituted if you prefer.
The real magic happens when you combine the sweet, roasted pumpkin with peppery arugula, nutty hazelnuts, and a drizzle of rich maple vinaigrette, crafting a harmonious balance of flavors that’s sure to leave your taste buds singing the praises of autumn.
Pesto Shrimp And Arugula Salad
While arugula salads often hold their own, this particular recipe takes a cue from Mediterranean flavors to create a show-stopping dish. The star of the show is the pesto shrimp, which gets elevated by the addition of plump grape tomatoes, crumbly parmesan cheese, and creamy white beans that add a delightful texture. For an added layer of depth, you can take it to the next level by crafting your own arugula pesto from scratch, amplifying the bold peppery flavor that arugula is known for.
The result is a harmonious balance of flavors and textures that will leave your taste buds singing.
Melon And Prosciutto Salad
Indulge in a symphony of flavors with this delectable arugula salad. The harmonious balance is achieved by combining the earthy sweetness of peppery arugula with the salty, savory essence of prosciutto, the refreshing juiciness of melon, and the creamy richness of mozzarella balls. This innovative recipe seamlessly blends the essence of a classic Caprese salad with the unexpected twist of prosciutto-wrapped melons, making it an unforgettable addition to any meal.
Mango Udon Noodle Salad With Coconut Milk Dressing
Innovative fusion cuisine takes center stage with this game-changing salad, where cold udon noodles harmonize with fresh mango and peppery arugula. For those seeking an unconventional twist on the classic greens-only salad, this recipe is a must-try.
The real showstopper is the symphony of Asian-inspired flavors from edamame, cashews, and pineapple, all brought together by the cilantro coconut milk dressing’s creamy, light notes that expertly balance each component, allowing each ingredient to shine.
Lemon Arugula Potato Salad
When you’re craving something other than leafy greens, consider turning to another type of salad altogether – potato! A combination of Yukon potatoes and a generous helping of fresh arugula can yield a creamy, zesty potato salad that’s sure to impress at any summer gathering or weekend soiree.
The tangy, citrusy flavor of lemons harmonizes beautifully with the peppery bite of arugula, creating a savory yet revitalizing taste experience that elevates the potatoes and shallots while keeping the overall flavor profile surprisingly light.
Blue Cheese And Blueberry Salad
When hosting an upscale dinner party, you’ll want to make a lasting impression on your guests with each dish that hits the table. One show-stopping option is a blue salad that combines innovative flavors to wow your palate. The unlikely union of blueberries and blue cheese may not have crossed your mind before, but trust us when we say it’s a game-changer.
The sweetness of the fresh blueberry bursts in your mouth, expertly tempered by the pungent tang of blue cheese.
This dynamic duo is further elevated by the peppery notes of arugula, complemented by a medley of fresh herbs including parsley, basil, tarragon, and chives. To tie everything together, a rich raspberry vinaigrette adds depth and complexity to this already impressive salad.
Roasted Beet, Walnut, Arugula Salad
In this vibrant salad, roasted beets take center stage, their earthy essence tempering the bold bitterness of arugula. The beauty of pairing arugula with fruit is that it adds depth and texture to an otherwise one-dimensional leaf-based dish. However, when you substitute beets for fruit, you get a similar dynamic without sacrificing the vegetable-only aspect. Meanwhile, the walnuts provide a delightful crunch that leaves no room for disappointment.
Grilled Steak And Peach Salad
For a show-stopping salad that’s both flavorful and filling, combine the savory charm of grilled flank steak with the sweetness of juicy peaches. This delectable duo is sure to impress even the most skeptical salad naysayers. The Dijon-balsamic dressing brings everything together in perfect harmony, its sweet yet salty notes elevating each ingredient without overwhelming them. And the best part? You can easily convert this satisfying side dish into a solo star by skipping the steak altogether.
Plus, with just 6 simple ingredients, including our signature lemon-honey dressing, you’ll be whipping up an Easy Arugula Salad in no time – perfect for pairing with quiche or fish!
The bottom line
Shaking up your salad routine can be as simple as introducing a new leafy green to the mix. For those who’ve grown tired of the same old lettuce, arugula is an excellent alternative that adds a unique and exciting flavor dimension to any dish. Whether you’re looking to spice up your salads or explore new culinary horizons, arugula’s versatility makes it an ideal addition to your repertoire.
If you’re already won over by the charms of arugula, there’s no shortage of creative ways to incorporate it into your cooking. Our curated collection of arugula recipes showcases the many faces of this peppery gem and offers a wealth of inspiration for experimenting with new flavor combinations.
