The more we cook, the more Alex and I find that the simplest recipes are the best. And that’s what we hear from you readers, too! There’s a place for the art of sourdough bread and margherita pizza with homemade dough. But when it comes to side dishes: we want easy! Introducing: the simplest arugula salad. It’s quite possibly the easiest salad you’ll make. You don’t even have to make a salad dressing! In 5 to 10 minutes, you’ve got an elegant salad that goes with literally everything.
What’s in this arugula salad?
The ingredients in this arugula salad are simple too (obviously!). But as with anything simple, you’ll need to make sure they’re high quality. Here’s what you need for this easy salad:
Baby arugula — do not use standard arugula! See the note below. Shallot — thinly sliced Olive oil — just enough to coat Parmesan cheese shavings — for quick prep, buy Parmesan that’s cut into shavings Lemon juice — you’ll need a real lemon (no fake juice!); add the zest if you have time Kosher salt
Want to add another element? Peppery arugula pairs well with earthy beets. Try it with a citrus vinaigrette in our Arugula Beet Salad!
Baby arugula is a must! Don’t use standard arugula.
For this arugula salad to work, you % need to follow this important note! Use baby arugula. Yes, baby arugula, not standard arugula. Why? Here’s the difference:
Baby arugula is tender, with a mild flavor and a fluffy texture. You see the lovely feathery greens in the photo? That’s baby arugula. Standard arugula is usually sold in bunches. It has a much stronger peppery flavor, and sometimes the stems are tougher. It’s not as good for a salad like this one.
You can find baby arugula in lots of mainstream groceries here in the US! It’s also available at farmers markets. As a rule of thumb: if it is sold as a bunch, stay away. Use the baby greens that are sold in packages or bags. Got leftovers? Try Arugula Pesto.
Use real lemon juice (and zest if time).
Growing up, real lemons weren’t ever in our house. But now that Alex and I run our own kitchen, they’re a mainstay on the counter! Real lemon juice can’t be replicated by lemon juice in a bottle: it just can’t! So make sure to use a real lemon for this and all recipes on our website! If you have time, add zest of ½ lemon to the mix. The best way to zest? Alex and I use a microplane grater (here’s one we like), which makes quick work of it. (PS If you want to really dress up this salad, you could use our Citrus Salad Dressing: it uses lemon and orange and adds big flavor.)
Best way to shave Parmesan cheese: a vegetable peeler!
To shortcut the time to make this simplest arugula salad, buy Parmesan cheese that’s already cut into large shavings. Alex and I found it packaged this way at the store, and it makes it easy breezy to throw a bunch in a salad. If you can’t find it packaged that way, just go at a big block of Parmesan cheese with a vegetable peeler! It’s the easiest way we’ve found to get those lovely shavings.
Can you omit the Parmesan for vegan?
You can! It wouldn’t be quite as good without the savoriness of the Parmesan, but we think you could get away with it. Try our Vegan Parmesan Cheese to bring in some more savory flavor. It has a texture more like grated Parmesan than shavings, but it would add good flavor.
Ways to serve this arugula salad!
This arugula salad is so classic and simple, it goes with almost every vibe of food. It’s especially perfect alongside Italian recipes, Mediterranean meals, or as a side for soup. Here are a few ways to serve it:
This arugula salad is…
Vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, plant-based and dairy-free, use Vegan Parmesan.
More with arugula
You a fan of this nutritious green? Here are a few more recipes that use it: 5 from 4 reviews
Burrata with Arugula and Tomatoes Combine gooey burrata cheese with arugula and fresh tomatoes: it’s heavenly! 10 Best Arugula Recipes Here are all the best arugula recipes to use this healthy leafy green in your cooking! Throw it in salads, put it on a pizza, or stuff it in a sandwich. Best Salad Recipes Any of the green salads in this list would be fantastic with a handful of baby arugula thrown in!
