This simple salad comes together in just 10 minutes for a bold, fresh taste that compliments any meal.
This lemon arugula salad is all about the simple things. Just a few good ingredients, used wisely, and you have a salad that is bold, balanced, and so delicious that you will want it every day. It is so easy to make, you may actually do it.
I frequently make this salad as a side dish for rich tasting dishes. It is perfect to serve along with Dutch Oven Pot Roast, or a Creamy Tomato Pasta dish.
This also makes a beautiful topping for a homemade pizza.
Ingredients
Baby Arugula- This is a lovely, leafy green with a slightly bitter and peppery taste. The baby arugula is picked when the leaves are still immature and have a more mild flavor.
Parmigiano-Reggiano- This is a high quality dry cheese with a slightly salty, nutty flavor. It is a bit of a splurge, but you only need a little bit to get a lot of flavor. You can substitute pecorino-Romano for a more budget friendly option.
Red Onion- Little bits of thinly sliced onion add a touch of crunch and spice.
Fresh Lemon Juice- When combined with good olive oil and coarse salt and pepper, this makes a fresh lemon dressing that is a perfect compliment to the other earthy flavors.
How to Make It
- Make the lemon dressing by mixing extra virgin olive oil, with freshly squeezed lemon juice, coarse salt, and pepper.
- Wash and dry arugula, and add it to a medium sized bowl along with shaved parmesan and thinly sliced red onion.
- Toss the arugula salad with lemon dressing and serve with your favorite main dish.
Tips for Success
Before you get started there are a few things you should do to make this simple salad perfect.
- Make sure the baby arugula leaves are washed and dried well.
- Take some extra time when slicing the red onion to cut very thin strips. Little bits of red onion are a delicious treat. Large pieces will overwhelm all the other flavors.
- Shave the parmesan using a vegetable peeler to get nice thin pieces.
- Roll the lemon before squeezing to make it easier to juice.
- Use fresh cracked pepper and coarse salt if you have them.
Additions and Substitutions
Additions
When I want to change things up, I sometimes add sliced apples and dried cranberries for a bit of sweetness.
In the summer, fresh cherry tomatoes are another nice addition to this simple arugula salad.
Substitutions
You can substitute Pecorino-Romano in place of Parmigiano-Reggiano for a more budget friendly cheese option.
If you find you don’t have a fresh lemon on hand, bottled lemon juice can work. You will not need quite as much because the flavor is a bit stronger. It is also a bit more bitter so a pinch of sugar will balance it out.
If you want something other than the lemon dressing, you can substitute balsamic vinegar and have a slightly sweeter salad as well.
Serve Lemon Arugula with these Delicious Mains
- Italian Sausage with Peppers and Onions
- Lamb Lollipops (Grilled Lamb Chops)
- Chicken Mushroom Marsala
- Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin
More Delicious Salads
- Chopped Italian Salad
- Thai Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing
- Roasted Delicata Squash Salad
- Mango and Avocado Salad
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Arugula Salad with Lemon Dressing and Shaved Parmesan
Ingredients
- 4 Cups Baby Arugula
- ¼ Cup Parmigiano-Reggiano shaved
- ¼ Cup Red Onion thinly sliced
Lemon Dressing
- 3 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Juice 1 Lemon
- Coarse Salt to taste
- Cracked Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make the lemon dressing by mixing extra virgin olive oil, with freshly squeezed lemon juice, coarse salt, and pepper.
- Wash and dry arugula, and add it to a medium sized bowl along with shaved parmesan and thinly sliced red onion.
- Toss the salad with lemon dressing and serve with your favorite main dish.
Notes
- Make sure arugula leaves are washed and dried well.
- Take some extra time when slicing the red onion to cut very thin strips. Little bits of red onion are a delicious treat. Large pieces will overwhelm all the other flavors.
- Shave the parmesan using a vegetable peeler to get nice thin pieces.
- Roll the lemon before squeezing to make it easier to juice.
- Use fresh cracked pepper and coarse salt if you have them.
Nutrition
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Heather
This is one of my favorite salads can’t wait to try this homemade version!
Kathleen
Big fan of simple yet elegant and flavorful side dishes like this salad. Sounds fabulous!
Beth
This is great as a side dish but with some grilled chicken on top it makes a delicious lunch or dinner too - Yum!
Kris
So simple yet so tasty! Will definitely be making again! 🙂
kushigalu
LOve the combination of flavors in this salad recipe. One of my favorite.