Simple Arugula Side Salad

The best part of this recipe is that in just 5 minutes, you can enjoy a simple arugula salad that feels light and pairs great with any protein for dinner.

What Goes Well With Arugula in a Salad

While arugula isn’t my favorite go-to green for salad, its bitter flavor pairs great with pungent soft cheeses like feta. Adding fruits like blueberries and blackberries adds a touch of sweetness to each bite that I personally find delicious.

And if you have such a tasty salad, of course, you want to add a dressing! While you can drizzle your favorite, this salad calls for a light and delicate dressing, like a simple balsamic vinaigrette, that won’t overshadow the simplicity of the salad.

Ingredients 

You’ll find the measurements at the end of the post, but first, let me walk you through the simple ingredients that make this arugula side salad one you’ll be making on repeat:

• Arugula: the star of this epic salad.
• Fresh blueberries and blackberries: you can use one or both!
• Crumbled feta cheese: this is perfect for adding flavor and dairy!
• Slivered almonds: add a nice crunch and a dose of healthy protein.
• Red Wine Vinaigrette: this is my favorite to add on top, but you can also use a classic balsamic vinaigrette recipe.

How to Make a Simple Arugula Salad

Making this nutritious arugula side salad takes about 5 minutes and one bowl. You can use your favorite dressing or the vinaigrette I share with you. Here is how you make this simple arugula salad:

1. Make the dressing
   If you’re using homemade dressing, now is when you make it.
2. Layer the ingredients
   Layer arugula, blueberries, feta cheese, and slivered almonds in a large bowl.
3. Toss with dressing
   Drizzle the dressing over the top and toss to coat the salad. To prevent the salad from getting soggy, you can wait to add the dressing until right before serving.

Watch this quick video to see the magic happen for yourself!

Best Dressings for Arugula Side Salads

Serve this arugula side salad with your favorite protein and drizzle a delicious dressing for the most tasty meal! In this recipe, I’m adding a simple red wine vinaigrette: its tanginess balances the slightly sweet flavor of the berries and the strong taste of the arugula while pairing great with any other ingredient.

Other vinaigrettes that go amazingly well with this simple arugula salad are this mild-flavored Champagne Vinaigrette and this smooth White Wine Vinaigrette. Their soft flavors match with chicken, beef, fish-everything!

I highly recommend making any of these vinaigrettes at home: it takes 2 minutes, and they taste much better than any store-bought version!

Other Toppings and Mix-Ins for Arugula Salad

Salads like this one are super customizable, meaning you can add your favorite toppings or make little swaps to use up what you have around. No feta? Add crumbled goat cheese or shaved parmesan.

I include slivered almonds, but you can enjoy crunchiness and extra nutrition by adding walnuts, pine nuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, or croutons.

Want to add more fruit? Go ahead! This arugula side salad tastes delicious with cubes pears, apples, and other berries. If you prefer classic salad veggies, add cucumber and tomato for a touch of freshness, or roasted vegetables for a cozy salad.

Is Arugula Good to Eat Every Day?

Arugula salads are highly nutritious, and by adding blueberries, you're upping the nutritional content of your meal. Antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fiber… you're getting it all in one serving, so it’s a salad you can eat every day!

Of course, what tends to up the calories and void any nutrition out of a salad is always the dressing you choose, which is why I always suggest tossing the dressing all over the salad and adding just enough to give it flavor. Remember that a little dressing can go a long way!

Note that arugula is high in vitamin K, which can affect blood thinners. If you have a health condition related to blood clotting and want to eat arugula every day, talk with your doctor.

What to Serve with this Side Salad

This light and tasty arugula salad makes a terrific side dish for all kinds of proteins! I love how it pairs with Pesto Chicken and Rotisserie Chicken Alfredo.

It’s also perfect to serve with Oven Beef Kabobs on summer days when you crave a refreshing side. Plus, you can pack leftovers for a healthy and delicious lunch!