Right here’s the best salad you’ll ever make! This straightforward arugula salad comes collectively in minutes. You don’t even have to make a dressing!
There’s a spot for making recipes like sourdough bread and a Margherita Pizza with selfmade dough. However in relation to aspect dishes, I would like straightforward. This easy arugula salad is kind of presumably the best salad you’ll make.
This easy arugula salad has turn out to be my go-to aspect dish as a result of it requires zero precise cooking abilities, comes collectively in below 10 minutes, and in some way manages to style like one thing you’d order at a restaurant. The key? Excessive-quality substances and the proper stability of peppery greens, vivid lemon, and nutty Parmesan.
5 star reader evaluate
“I like your recipes! This salad is SO straightforward and scrumptious. I’ve taken it to so many potlucks and it will get wolfed up very quickly. I make it usually for myself.” -Susan
Key substances for arugula salad
The substances on this arugula salad are easy; you’ll simply want to ensure they’re top quality. Right here’s what you want for this straightforward salad:
- Child arugula: Child arugula has a feathery texture and a gentle taste. Keep away from normal arugula, which is far too robust.
- Shallot: Shallot provides a nuanced onion taste.
- Olive oil and lemon juice: These make a fast, makeshift dressing. You’ll want an actual lemon, so skip the faux juice. I like so as to add zest if I’ve time!
- Parmesan cheese shavings: For fast prep, purchase Parmesan that’s already lower into shavings – or you may shave your individual from a big block.
Why child arugula makes all of the distinction
When you take away one factor right here, bear in mind this: this recipe solely works when you use child arugula. Utilizing common arugula (the sort often bought in bunches) doesn’t make the identical dish. Right here’s the distinction:
- Child arugula has tender, feathery leaves with a light peppery taste that provides curiosity with out overwhelming your palate. The feel is delicate and virtually melts in your mouth.
- Common arugula has a lot thicker stems and a intense, generally bitter taste that may dominate all the salad. The leaves are harder and require extra chewing. It’s usually bought as a bunch.
You’ll find child arugula in numerous mainstream groceries and famer’s markets within the U.S. As a rule of thumb, if it’s bought as a bunch, keep away. Use the infant greens which might be bought in packages or baggage. If you find yourself with leftover arugula, you may make a batch of Arguula Pesto or throw it into different inexperienced salads.
Lemon zesting suggestions
Rising up, actual lemons weren’t ever in our home. However now that I run my very own kitchen, they’re a mainstay on the counter! Actual lemon juice can’t be replicated by lemon juice in a bottle.
You probably have time, add the zest of 1 half lemon to the combo. The very best method to zest a lemon is utilizing a microplane grater, which makes fast work of it.
Substitutions and variations
This salad works extraordinarily effectively with a thinly sliced, crisp tart apple. I find it irresistible a lot that means that I included this as a recipe in Alex and my newest cookbook.
It additionally works nice with sliced roasted beets in an arugula beet salad. You may also strive including toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds, and even sliced cherry tomatoes. Nevertheless, I’ve realized to withstand the temptation so as to add too many extras right here; this salad’s magic comes from its restraint.
Methods to serve this straightforward arugula salad
This arugula salad is so basic and easy, it goes with virtually each vibe of meals. It’s particularly good alongside Italian recipes, Mediterranean meals, or as a aspect for soup. Listed here are just a few methods to serve it:
Storage and make-ahead suggestions
Whereas this salad is greatest loved recent, I’ve realized just a few tips for storing leftovers:
Fridge storage: You probably have leftovers (which not often occurs at my home!), retailer them in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 2 days. The arugula will wilt, however it’s nonetheless completely edible.
Make-ahead tip: You may prep the shallots and Parmesan shavings as much as a day forward and retailer them individually. Don’t costume the arugula till simply earlier than serving, because the acid within the lemon juice will trigger the leaves to wilt.
Dietary notes
This arugula salad is vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free, use vegan Parmesan.
Simple Arugula Salad
Right here’s the best salad you’ll ever make! This straightforward arugula salad is fool-proof: you don’t even have to make dressing. It comes collectively in minutes!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook dinner Time: 0 minutes
- Complete Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 to eight 1x
- Class: Salad
- Methodology: Uncooked
- Delicacies: Italian
- ¾ cup Parmesan cheese shavings (about 1.5 ounces)*
- 1 small shallot
- 8 cups (5 ounces) child arugula (don’t use normal arugula, often bought in bunches)
- 2 tablespoons further virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra to style
- 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice + zest of ½ lemon
- If essential, shave the Parmesan cheese with a vegetable peeler.
- Thinly slice shallot.
- In giant bowl, place the infant arugula, olive oil, lemon zest (elective), lemon juice, and kosher salt.
- Use your arms to toss all the things so it’s evenly coated.
- Add the Parmesan shavings and shallot and toss for just a few seconds till mixed.
- Style and add further salt if desired.
Extra arugula recipes to strive
Are a fan of this nutritious inexperienced? Listed here are just a few extra recipes that use it:
