This arugula salad dressing is light, fresh, and easy to make with just 3 ingredients. It has the perfect sweet-tangy balance for peppery greens, fresh fruit, and creamy feta or goat cheese. This simple homemade vinaigrette is so easy, it’ll become a staple in your fridge!
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An Easy Side Salad
So, what is arugula? Arugula is sometimes called “rocket” and it’s a dark leafy green from the broccoli family. It has a peppery and almost bitter flavor. Because of the bitterness, arugula salad is best mixed with fruits, berries (or even tomatoes). A creamy soft cheese is great too.
Arugula Salad Dressing
Once you start making your own dressings at home, you’ll never want to buy dressing again. They’re so easy to make, last a long time in the fridge and the flavor just cannot be compared.
This dressing is a favorite on any salad for us but because of the sweetness, it pairs especially well with this salad.
Do a Double Take! This arugula salad dressing is super fast and easy. It pairs well with bolder flavored greens and can even be used on kale salad. Double or triple the recipe, it’ll keep in the fridge for weeks.
How to Dress Arugula Salad
- Whisk the ingredients for the arugula salad dressing and set aside.
- Toast and roughly chop the nuts, slice the onion and wash, slice and/or pit fruits as needed (I use this cherry pitter, the best ever)!
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl, crumble in the feta and toss with the dressing.
To Toast Nuts: Place them in a single layer on a foil lined cookie sheet in a preheated 350°F oven or toaster oven for about 5 minutes. Be sure to watch them carefully, as they toast quickly, and easily burn.
Variations
As mentioned, arugula has an intense taste that makes it almost more like an herb than a vegetable. I like to serve it with roasted or grilled meats like baked chicken thighs or next to a Margherita Pizza.
As with any salad, substitutions or additions are encouraged! Try adding some of these ingredients for an arugula salad that is totally your own.
- Cheese: goat cheese or shaved parmesan instead of, or in addition to the feta.
- Fruit: pears, apples, grapes, strawberries, peaches
- Nuts: toasted pine nuts or pecans
- Vegetables: If you want a milder salad, you can also try mixing in some romaine or spinach leaves.
Did you try this dressing? Leave a comment below and let us know what your fave additions are!
Ingredients
Salad Dressing
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1½ teaspoons honey
- ¼ cup light olive oil or vegetable oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Salad
- 6 to 8 cups baby arugula
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese
- ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
- 2 cups berries or other fruit such as peaches, cherries, strawberries, blackberries
- 2 tablespoons chopped toasted walnuts or pecans
Instructions
Dressing
- Mix rice vinegar and honey in a bowl.
- Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking until incorporated. Taste and season with salt & pepper.
Salad
- Add arugula, feta cheese, and red onion to a salad bowl. Add dressing and toss to combine.
- Garnish with fruit and nuts.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Salad
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More Easy Side Salads
- Winter Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette
- Cucumber Onion Salad – pairs perfectly with spicy meats
- Beet Salad
- Pistachio Strawberry Salad – ready in 20 mins!
- Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad – summer favorite!
- Asian Chopped Salad
- Tomato Avocado Salad – made with red and yellow cherry tomatoes
- Strawberry Spinach Salad – 4 ingredient dressing
- Harvest Farro Salad
I made this dressing for arugula with red grapes and clementine oranges, pecans, and feta crumbles. I forgot to slice a little red or green onion. Delicious!