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This arugula salad is the one you’ve been looking for! Peppery arugula mixed with bright tomatoes, parmesan, and dressed with fresh lemon vinaigrette. Perfection!
This salad recipe is one of my favorites. It’s the perfect side dish for any kind of protein and goes well with pretty much anything. Think grilled chicken, fish or shrimp. It goes just as well alongside big fat juicy steak with Twice Baked Potatoes on the side!
It’s one of those no-brainer salads to me. I add fresh baby arugula to a bowl, cut up some tomatoes, grab my bowl and whisk and make a vinaigrette dressing. I then finish with salt and pepper and parmesan.
Then I devour it. This recipe should serve 4, but every time I halve the recipe for The Husband and me, I end up using the rest of the bag of arugula and quickly making more dressing. I’m at the point where I just don’t bother to halve it now – I know we’ll eat it!
It’s so easy and yet, so fabulous. The lemon flavor from the homemade salad dressing is super fresh and bright!
I kind of lick the bowl when all the salad is gone. I should be ashamed, but I’m not.
Lemon Vinaigrette
I like to make several of my favorite salad dressings ahead and keep them in the fridge to use over the following week. My basic mustard vinaigrette is a favorite, too!
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do!
If you love salad, you’ll enjoy this Kale Salad as well as this Southwestern Pasta Salad!
Why you’ll love this recipe
Simple ingredients. Using simple easily found ingredients, this a great recipe to throw together at any time.
Balance. Peppery arugula, bright tomatoes, sharp parmesan cheese, combined with a fresh lemon vinaigrette (made with fresh lemon juice dijon mustard) – makes this a perfect.
I have included step by step photos and instructions, as well as tips and tricks in the post. If you’d rather skip all that, scoot right on down to the full recipe card located at the bottom of the post.
Recommended Equipment/Tools
- Large bowl
- Knife
- Whisk
- Plane grater
Ingredients
The full list of ingredients and quantities is found in the printable recipe card below.
Arugula Salad
Scroll for Recipe
The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
How to make Lemon Vinaigrette
Whisk together the lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt and pepper.
Whisk in the olive oil until smooth and creamy. It might look separated at first – so you need to whisk fast to get it to emulsify. You can make this in a blender or food processor if you need to!
Use as much as you like on your salad – store the rest for later in the refrigerator. If it separates, just shake it up to it re-emulsifies.
For the Salad
Add the washed arugula to a bowl, and top with cherry tomatoes
Pour dressing over salad and mix well to combine.
Season with salt and pepper and grate parmesan over the top.
Devour.
Kylee’s Notes
Make ahead
This is a great salad to make ahead, wait until just before you serve to add the dressing and parmesan.
Substitutions/Additions
If you don’t have fresh lemon juice you can use vinegar (I like apple cider vinegar, but balsamic vinegar goes well in this too!)
Add some toasted pine nuts when you add the cheese. Trust me, it kicks it up to uber-fancy!
If you REALLY love lemon flavor – add a pinch of lemon zest to the dressing.
More Salad Recipes
- Classic Coleslaw – with a Creamy Coleslaw Dressing, this side will be a welcome addition to any table.
- Summery White Bean Salad – Served chilled or at room temperature, this one is great to make ahead, or to grab and go! A short prep time means you can have it on the table fast!
- Greek Salad – from Or Whatever you Do
- Cucumber Salad – from a Simple Pantry
If you have tried this recipe or any other recipe on Kylee Cooks, leave a comment and rating – I truly love to hear from you!
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Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Suggested Equipment
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 5 oz baby arugula
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
For the lemon vinaigrette dressing
- 2 lemons juiced (about 1/4 cup juice)
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
To make lemon vinaigrette
- Whisk together all ingredients except the olive oil.
- When blended, slowly add in the olive oil – whisking fast so it emulsifies.
For the Salad
- Add the washed arugula to a bowl, and top with cherry tomatoes
- Pour dressing over salad and mix well to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper and grate parmesan over the top.
- Devour
Tips & Notes:
nutrition facts
Nutritional Disclaimer
Recipes written and produced on Kylee Cooks are for informational purposes only. Kylee is not a certified nutritionist. Nutritional data provided on Kylee Cooks has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration.
Monique says
Love your recipes
Susan Leore says
My oldest daughter, who is a very picky eater and who does not particularly like arugula, loved the dressing and salad! It was her favourite part of dinner. I forwarded her the recipe. I’m making the salad again very soon 😋
Sam says
This salad is so good. It’s so simple but so delicious! I love the flavor combo.
Paula Montenegro says
This is a simple and perfect salad! I love it when people say peppery arugula because it’s exactly how I describe it too. That dressing is wonderful!
Chandice Probst says
I love the bite that comes from the arugula with the tart from the lemon… Such an easy salad that’s so special too!
Anna says
I love argula, it’s probably my favourite green, it’s peppery taste is just so delicious! And this salad is simply beautiful, fresh and simple ingredients create best flavour combinations!
Amanda says
I love how this salad couldn’t be simpler, but it also packs so much flavor! This will be perfect all summer long when I want something quick and refreshing.
Tatiana says
Arugula is one of my favorite greens, but I never tried it with a lemony dressing before. It was a hit! Such a good idea for the summer!
Dana says
I loved the lemon vinaigrette for this salad. It’s so refreshing. This salad is a beauty and is wonderful paired with pasta.
Marta says
Arugula is my absolute favorite green. This salad, with the lemony dressing is a great way to enjoy them. Thanks for another hit!
Georgina @ Culinary Travels says
This looks like just my kind of dish. It contains all of my favourite salad ingredients in an absolute flavour bomb. Gorgeous!