See ya later, spinach! Step up your leafy greens with bright, peppery arugula salads.
19 Ideas for Arugula Salads
Updated on Sep. 30, 2024
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Grilled Peach, Rice & Arugula Salad
This hearty salad was created when I needed to clear out some leftovers from the fridge—and it became an instant hit! The grilled peaches are the ultimate “tastes like summer” salad booster. —Lauren Wyler, Dripping Springs, Texas
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Strawberry Arugula Salad
Strawberry arugula salad uses an unexpected blending of ingredients to yield a wonderfully tasty side dish. Or go ahead, make it a meal.
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Honeydew & Prosciutto Salad
For parties, I turn melon and prosciutto into an easy salad with a honey mustard dressing. To add zip, stir in fresh basil and mint. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington
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Orzo with Feta and Arugula
In my family, we love salads because they’re an interesting way to blend many different flavors. This orzo salad is one of our favorites—it tastes delicious served either warm or cool. —Laura Adamsky, Decatur, Alabama
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Juicy Watermelon Salad
This fruit salad has such a surprising yet fabulous mix of flavors that friends often ask for the recipe. Combine seedless watermelon varieties in yellow, red and pink for a colorful twist. —Heidi Haight, Macomb, Michigan
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Roasted Pumpkin Salad with Orange Dressing
Roasted pumpkin and dried fruits make this beautiful seasonal salad a natural match for holiday recipes. The dressing is a light, tasty mix of honey, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Top it all off with crumbled goat cheese for that final tangy touch. —Sasha King, Westlake Village, California
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Herbed Tuna and White Bean Salad
This is a quick and delicious salad that can be made special for guests—or yourself—by grilling fresh tuna steaks instead of using canned. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida
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Mediterranean Shrimp Salad in a Jar
This Greek salad to go is packed with so much freshness, it instantly brightens up your day. Just layer it all in a jar and pack it up—then serve and enjoy. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Butternut Squash Panzanella Salad
This colorful salad is easy to make, and it's even easier if you use precut chunks of butternut squash. You can use pecans in place of the almonds or watercress instead of the arugula or spinach. —Nancy Buchanan, Costa Mesa, California
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Turkey and Apple Arugula Salad
This satisfying salad proves that turkey can be enjoyed outside of the holidays. Peppery salad greens, sweet grapes and rich walnuts combine to create a flavor sensation. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
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Yellow Squash & Watermelon Salad
I always like to bring this healthy option to parties and potlucks, and people seem to really appreciate that. No oil is necessary for this salad; the lemon juice combines with the feta to lightly coat the bright, fresh ingredients. —Camille Parker, Chicago, Illinois
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White Ale Potato Salad
Take this one outside! My grown-up recipe uses beer instead of mayo, so you don't need to worry about keeping it cool. It's a really popular recipe on my blog, girllikestoeat.com. —Jenny MacBeth, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Warm Roasted Beet Salad
This recipe lets beets shine. It's a hearty main dish salad that is beautiful on the plate, too. If I have it, I like to use hazelnut oil in this salad.—Jill Anderson, Sleepy Eye, Minnesota
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Nectarine Arugula Salad
Here's a summer salad that brightens any supper. The homemade dressing with a hint of berries is perfect with arugula, nectarines and blue cheese. —Christine Laba, Arlington, Virginia
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White Bean Arugula Salad
My red, white and green salad is inspired by the Italian flag. Top it with shaved Parmesan. —Malia Estes, Allston, Massachusetts
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Salmon and Spud Salad
I headed straight for the kitchen when I decided to pick up a healthier lifestyle. This salmon with veggies proves that smart choices can be simple and satisfying. —Matthew Teixeira, Milton, Ontario
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Cucumber Coleslaw
I created this cucumber coleslaw recipe so I could use a julienne peeler I received as a gift. I had leftover sparkling wine, so I thought I'd try to use it over julienned cucumbers to make this refreshing slaw. It's a nice way to round out a brunch or picnic. —Merry Graham, Newhall, California
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Summer Salad
This is the perfect summer salad recipe for picnics and potlucks. It's full of pearl couscous, quinoa, colorful vegetables and fruit.
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Garlic Shrimp & Rice Salad
For this easy-to-make main dish salad, you can prepare the rice mixture and chop the vegetables ahead of time. Cook the shrimp at the last minute, then assemble it all together for a light yet satisfying meal. —Diane Nemitz, Ludington, MichiganArugula Salad FAQ
What does arugula go well with?
Arugula has an herbaceous flavor with a bold, spicy, peppery undertone, and it’s incredibly versatile. It goes well with meats, vegetables, fruits, beans and herbs—truly, so many foods.
For a hearty, savory salad, pair arugula with grilled steak and blue cheese. For a light summer lunch, pair it with watermelon and feta cheese cubes. For a wintry meal, serve arugula with baked squash and woody herbs.
If you want to add arugula to other mainstay recipes, sprinkle some on your pizza before you bake it (for wilted greens) or after you bake it (for fresh, fluffy greens). Mix it into a cold pasta salad for a kick of pepper flavor and bright color.
Arugula is also an excellent addition to homemade sandwich recipes. Plus, unlike regular lettuce, its taste doesn’t go downhill when it wilts, so you don’t have to worry about soggy greens on your sandwich. In fact, you may prefer your arugula wilted!
Is arugula the same as rocket?
Yes, arugula and rocket are the same plant. In fact, it’s thought that the two words emerged from the same root word in Rome a long time ago, and that the variations came about from different people around the world tweaking that root word differently.
Is arugula salad healthy?
Yes, arugula is considered one of the superfoods, along with other leafy greens like kale, collards and watercress. It’s a rich source of folate and vitamin K, and a good source of vitamins A and C. It also contains fiber, antioxidants and minerals like calcium, magnesium and manganese.
It’s helpful to have a little fat, like olive oil, when enjoying arugula salads. Some nutrients, like vitamins A, D, E and K, are fat-soluble, which means that fat helps your body absorb the nutrients.
