Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

This is an easy and refreshing recipe for an arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette. This simple salad is so perfect for the warmer weather, and is perfect to serve as a simple side or appetizer.

The homemade salad dressing comes together in a matter of minutes with just a few simple ingredients. Lemon vinaigrette is vegan and gluten free!

lemon vinaigrette being poured over arugula salad

I keep salads simple and fresh. There’s no sense using a bottled dressing that has half the flavor for a savings of just 30 seconds.

That’s right, you can make this dressing in just seconds. Pour, shake and toss! This salad contains no added preservatives, salt or sugar so it’s a much healthier option as well as more affordable than bottled dressing.

Summer is all about simplicity for me. This salad is full of fresh and tangy flavors and takes just minutes to put together. It’s perfectly effortless and light whilst being flavorsome and fresh. It’s a great throw-together salad for easy entertaining.

If this isn’t enough summer flavor for you, may I suggest my lemon spaghetti with artichokes, or this Basil Lemon Pasta? Even our girls love it! In fact, don’t skip my complete guide to the BEST Lemon Recipes.

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Table of Contents

Arugula Salad

I love lemon everything, and I’ve shared so many ways to include it in your kitchen – don’t skip the linked lemon recipes at the bottom of this post! Even more fun than that, did you know you can grow Meyer lemons at home? I’m showing you how, and it’s not as hard as you might think!

You can find more of my favorite homemade salad dressing recipes here – and you’ve got to check out this incredible spring salad mix recipe, Seven Layer Salad, this Handheld Endive Salad and my incredible roasted beet salad. I’ve even got a round up of 15 of the BEST vinaigrette dressings – there’s truly something for everyone!

Once you start making your own dressings, you’ll never go back to store bought. They make what could be a boring salad taste incredible!

It’s one of the best side dishes for fish, Healthy Steak Sides and so much more. I hope you love it as much as we do!

Arugula Salad Ingredients

Arugula – don’t hesitate to try this peppery, leafy green that holds up beautifully to toppings and dressings. Did you know that arugula isn’t a lettuce at all? It’s actually a member of the cabbage family!
Parmesan Cheese – I enjoy the simplicity of this salad, using just fresh grated dry cheese to top it like Pecorino, Asiago or Parmesan. Truly, whatever I have in the refrigerator from a previous meal works here (like my tortellacci).
Lemon Vinaigrette – Light and refreshing, it’s the perfect compliment. You can toss it or use a spray bottle to lightly spritz it.

Lemon Vinaigrette

White Wine Vinegar – White wine vinegar adds a tang to the dressing and it is not as sharp or as overpowering as white vinegar. You can also make this with red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
Olive Oil – Use a good quality olive oil that will add flavor and richness to this simple dressing.
Lemon Juice – It’s always best to use fresh lemon juice for the most vibrant flavor.
Black Pepper – Thick flakes of black pepper fresh from a grinder offer the most flavor and texture in this simple salad.

An arugula salad on a white plate, gold fork to the side.

How To Make Lemon Vinaigrette

Combine – Combine vinegar, olive oil and lemon juice.
Shake – Shake well in a sealed jar or whisk vigorously in a bowl.

How to Make Arugula Salad

Wash and spin the arugula and add to a plate or bowl.
Top with the cheese and drizzle or spray with lemon vinaigrette. Add fresh cracked black pepper.

This recipe makes enough dressing for eight servings and is easily doubled and halved.

Arugula salad next to a bottle of lemon dressing

Tips

One of my tips for making vinaigrettes fast and easy is to pour the vinegar in a measuring cup first, then adding the olive oil, without pouring it out in between. You can even whisk it in the measuring cup if you want to save another dish to wash and don’t intend to keep the extras!
Purchase baby arugula for a more delicate, peppery flavor.
Don’t forget to wash your arugula well. Because of the way it grows, it has a tendency to carry a lot of dirt and sand. A quick run through a salad spinner will make a big difference!
Don’t dress the salad until you are ready to serve it. If you dress the salad too early it can cause the arugula to become soggy.
You can also make this salad in a mason jar, simply pour in the ingredients and give it a good shake and it can be stored right in the fridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Arugula Taste Like?

Arugula has a peppery, tart, fresh flavor. The leaves are tender with crisp stems, similar to the texture of spinach. But its flavor profile is way more interesting.

How Do You Wash Arugula?

If you purchase your arugula from the Farmer’s Market, fill your sink with cold water, add a touch of white vinegar, and gently wash away the residual dirt and sand. Then spin away the excess water in your salad spinner.
If you purchase baby arugula pre-packaged from the grocery store, there is no need to wash. Most pre-packaged varieties have been triple-washed already.

Does Lemon Vinaigrette Need to be Refrigerated?

Once you have made the dressing, store it in an airtight jar or bottle and keep it refrigerated until you are ready to use it. Shake before use as the ingredients may separate a little.

How Long Does Lemon Vinaigrette Last?

Homemade lemon vinaigrette keeps several days when stored refrigerated in an airtight container, perfect for weekday lunches and dinners. I often make a double batch to enjoy throughout the weeks.

Serving Suggestions

Add a little protein! Top with Lemon Pepper Chicken, Lemon Pepper Salmon or Lemon Pepper Shrimp! It’s also perfect with this Panko Chicken.

More Delicious Ways to Use Lemon Vinaigrette

Marinate Chicken
Drizzle on Fish
Tossed in Salads with Fruit
Drizzle on Veggies or Marinate Veggies

How to Store

Store loose or bunched arugula, wrapped in paper towels, in a plastic storage bag in your crisper drawer in the fridge. The peppery greens will keep for up to two days. Wash when ready to use.
Pre-packaged arugula will keep, unopened, for up to five days in the fridge. Once you open the package, use it within a few days.
This homemade lemon vinaigrette will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Nutritional Considerations

Vegetarian
Low Carb
Nut Free

Lemon vinaigrette being poured on to arugula salad

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