Arugula’s peppery bite is enhanced by a simple lemon vinaigrette and mellowed with aged Parmesan cheese in this classic Italian arugula salad recipe.

Recipe Overview

Why you’ll love it: The salad is simple, fresh, and easy to make. It goes well with everything.

How long it takes: 10 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: salad bowl
Servings: 4

Overhead view of a salad made with arugula, parmesan, and a lemon vinaigrette.
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Why You’ll Love this Arugula Salad

  • Simple: Sometimes we overthink salads. I read a long time ago that ideally a salad shouldn’t ever have more than five ingredients. Meet this classic arugula salad: arugula, olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and Parmesan cheese. Add a little salt and freshly ground black pepper and that’s it!
  • Classy: Think of it as the little black dress of salads. Simple and stunning.
  • Versatile: Great with any type of meat main dish, and also amazing piled atop a pizza. Read on for more ideas!
Arugula, parmesan, and lemon zest in a white bowl on a wooden background.

About Arugula

Arugula is a member of the cruciferous family, and is a cold weather crop. Look for it in the spring and fall. Originally grown as an herb, arugula has a mild peppery bite, almost spicy in flavor. You may know it as “rocket” or “Italian cress” — actually, there are several different names. Arugula is packed with nutrients, phytochemicals, and fiber, and has lots of health benefits.

What’s in a classic arugula salad?

  • Arugula: Be sure to rinse it well and dry it as much as possible. A salad spinner is the best tool to dry greens.
  • Olive Oil: Since this is such a simple salad, make sure to use good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
  • Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed is best; you’ll need one lemon. If you want to top the salad with lemon zest, be sure to zest the lemon before juicing it.
  • Honey: Optional, but we like just a little sweetness to balance the tangy lemon and spicy arugula. Omit it for a keto diet; for vegan, substitute agave syrup.
  • Coarse Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • Parmesan Cheese: While you could use shredded Parmesan, it’s much more impressive when it’s very thinly sliced or shaved.

How To Make It

It’s so easy! Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a large bowl. Add arugula and toss until well coated. Stir in Parmesan cheese, or plate the salad and garnish with Parmesan. That’s it! 

Large bowl of a classic arugula salad with parmesan. Silver serving utensils, red wine, and a cork also pictured.

What to Serve with Arugula Salad

Arugula, parmesan and lemon zest in a white bowl on a wooden background, with two glasses of red wine.

Ways To Change It Up

Keep in mind that additions to this salad may detract from its simple goodness. If you do want to embellish your salad, try limiting yourself to one or two items. Think of it as jewelry with the little black dress. 

  • Add more vegetables such as sliced radishes, peppers, red onions, tomatoes, etc. Be sure to try my spring orzo salad with asparagus and artichokes.
  • Add sliced fruit, such as strawberries in the spring, sliced pears or apples in the fall, or dried fruits any time at all.
  • Top with fresh herbs, such as sliced basil, chopped parsley, cilantro leaves, dill, or lemon balm.
  • Use a different green. If you’re not a fan of arugula, spinach, leaf lettuce, or romaine are good alternatives.
  • Try goat cheese, blue cheese, or gorgonzola instead of the Parmesan. 
  • Use any dressing you like. The simple lemon vinaigrette is classic but you can top the salad with any homemade salad dressing (or purchased salad dressing). Homemade croutons are delicious too. 
A simple and classic arugula salad in a white bowl with silver tongs in it.

Storage & Make Ahead Tips

This salad is best served immediately once the ingredients are combined because the arugula wilts somewhat after it’s dressed. It will still taste great but won’t look quite as attractive.

Make ahead ideas: Prepare dressing, wash and dry arugula, and shave the Parmesan cheese up to a day ahead. Store components of the salad separately in the fridge and combine right before serving.

Classic Salads

Recipe

The Best Arugula Salad Recipe

4.46 from 46 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Arugula's peppery bite is enhanced by a simple lemon vinaigrette and mellowed with aged Parmesan cheese in this classic Italian arugula salad recipe.
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Ingredients 

  • 1 pkg. (5 oz.) baby arugula, washed and dried (4 to 5 cups)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
  • 2 ounces shaved Parmesan cheese (½ cup)

Instructions 

  • In large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper.
  • Add arugula and toss until coated. Lightly stir in Parmesan cheese or garnish salad with cheese.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

  • This salad is best served immediately once the ingredients are combined because the arugula wilts somewhat after it’s dressed.
  • Make ahead: Prepare dressing, wash and dry arugula, and shave the Parmesan cheese up to a day ahead. Store components of the salad separately in the fridge and combine right before serving.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 134kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 10mg, Sodium: 382mg, Potassium: 154mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 953IU, Vitamin C: 8mg, Calcium: 226mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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18 Comments

  1. Mandy Pfaller says:

    5 stars
    This salad is so simple yet so delicious! I made this to go with the red wine braised short ribs and crockpot mashed potatoes for our Christmas dinner, and it was the perfect side. The dressing was so easy to whip up, and the flavors all paired perfectly together. We enjoyed this salad so much that I made it again a few days later. This salad will be definitely be joining our regular dinner rotation.

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      I’m so glad you liked it! It really is the perfect side salad.

  2. Hunter cannon says:

    4 stars
    it tast wonderfull as you dont add the hunny, hunny tast terible ina salad like this thta is supost to be sour, other then that great resipy!

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      I like the honey in this salad but you can definitely leave it out if you prefer it that way.

  3. Kris says:

    5 stars
    Loved this! It was light, easy, and flavorful. The picture shows lemon zest, but it was not listed in the ingredients. How much would you recommend adding? Thank you!

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      I would just add a sprinkle to taste. It’s fairly lemony without it and we put that on mostly for appearance. ;) I’d start with 1/4 teaspoon especially if you’re grating it more finely than what is pictured. Then you can increase it if you want it more lemony.

  4. Sharon says:

    5 stars
    I made this to go with a Fettuccine Alfredo Tortellini soup.It was so good.Light and fresh.Also made a Braided Bread to go with.
    My guests loved the whole meal.

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      Sounds like such a delicious meal! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review, it means so much to me!

  5. Lenore S says:

    5 stars
    I wanted a quick and easy salad to round out my Dijon Mustard Salmon and baked sweet potato dinner. It was exactly what I was looking for because my husband only likes Spinach and Lettuce from the leafy greens family. I added quartered cherry tomatoes and Bleu cheese crumbles. Dinner was a win-win. I can see this salad being varied with mandarins, almonds and orange juice. I intend to put this salad in my regular rotation.

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      So happy to hear you liked it! It’s definitely a great salad to build upon or adapt. Thanks for taking the time to leave your feedback!

  6. Maria L says:

    5 stars
    I made this salad for the first time on July 4th and it was enjoyed by all. My husband liked it so much, he asked for it again with tonight’s dinner. Very enjoyable!

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      I’m so glad to hear it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, it means a lot to me!

  7. Erika says:

    Made this for the first time last week, and I’ve made it again three times since.  So simple, yet so delicious.  Even the men who are salad “averse” love this.  Thank you for sharing.

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      Ahh that makes me so happy! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!

  8. Sandy Swiatek says:

    I made this and it is delicious. I am making again tomorrow for company. Thanks for another great recipe.

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      I’m so glad to hear that! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, it truly means so much to me.

  9. denise says:

    sounds light and perfect

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      It really is! Thanks Denise!