17 Delicious Arugula Salad Recipes

This collection of arugula salad recipes showcases versatility. There are hearty grain bowls, crunchy slaws, and effortlessly chic, bistro-inspired dishes equally suited to dinner parties and clean-out-the-fridge weeknight suppers. So, whether you’re hungry for a veggie-packed main course salad or need a quick side salad to round out a meal, stick around.
However you prep or dress it, arugula is proof that even the most distinctive ingredients can be team players. While some lettuces wilt in the face of a punchy vinaigrette, arugula holds its own. We love how it complements everything from deeply flavorful roasted citrus to fresh summer stone fruit to chewy Korean rice cakes. With these arugula salads, going green has never been easier—or more delicious.
- Photograph by David Cabrera, Prop Styling by Adriana Bonin, Food Styling by Adriana Paschen1/17
Citrusy Arugula Salad With Fennel and Parmesan
Using an array of citrus—like Cara-Cara, navel, and blood oranges—gives this simple arugula salad recipe lots of visual appeal, but it’s just as tasty with only one kind too. Shower it with shaved Parmesan cheese and extra black pepper, and try to act modest when everyone asks for seconds.
- Danny Kim2/17
Beet and Arugula Salad with Quinoa, Avocado, and Sunflower Seeds
Consider this crunchy grain and veggie bowl a canvas for substitutions. Swap the goat cheese for feta, add extra zest to the lemon dressing, use toasted pine nuts instead of sunflower seeds, or trade the quinoa for cooked farro, barley, or chickpeas.
- Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, food styling by Andy Baraghani, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski3/17
Arugula With Italian Plums and Parmesan
If you can’t find Italian plums, halve fresh apricots or red or purple plums, or use a combination. For chunkier Parmesan shavings, break off irregularly sized pieces with a sharp knife.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Dayna Seman4/17
Avocado and Bulgur Salad
“To die for!” writes one Bon Appétit reader. “This is a great, hearty weeknight salad, and it’s fancy enough to impress at a dinner party.” It’s flexible too: To make it gluten-free, swap the bulgur for quinoa.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata. Food Styling by Cyd McDowell. Prop Styling by Paige Hicks5/17
Crispy Rice Cakes With Halloumi Cheese and Gochujang Brown Butter
Peppery arugula is the perfect complement to seared Halloumi cheese and crispy-chewy Korean rice cakes in this craveable main dish salad. Pro tip: Save any leftover salad dressing to serve on eggs and yogurt the following morning.
- Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton6/17
Big Green Lentil Salad
Whisking the creamy yogurt sauce while the lentils cook means this baby arugula salad comes together quickly. Freshly squeezed lemon juice keeps things bright, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil makes it all taste downright luxurious.
- Alex Lau7/17
Garrotxa Bread Salad
Break out a large mixing bowl to toss all the salad ingredients in the punchy, mustardy vinaigrette—you want to be sure every inch is perfectly dressed. “I make it exactly as written, and it’s amazing,” writes one BA reader who’s unafraid to share the wealth. “I’ve given the recipe out many times.”
- Alex Lau8/17
Celery Slaw With Seeds and Dates
Texture fiends, meet your new favorite salad. Crisp celery, chewy dates, crunchy cucumbers, and tender arugula come together in this unforgettable dish that might just steal the show at your next picnic or potluck.
- Nicole Franzen9/17
Roasted Citrus and Avocado Salad
Baking citrus at high heat for 10–15 minutes caramelizes its sugars and adds depth to this fresh arugula salad. Thinly sliced red onions provide crunch, and fresh lemon juice keeps the whole thing bright and balanced.
- Alex Lau10/17
Grilled Broccoli and Arugula Salad
This make-ahead wonder can be prepared hours before you serve it—a boon for busy workweeks. Use basil instead of chervil or tarragon, or swap the chives for finely chopped parsley.
- Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski11/17
Everyday Greens Salad
Every cook needs a back-pocket green salad recipe, and this is ours. Use white wine, apple cider, or red wine vinegar, and mix up the herbs and lettuces! Try with basil, tarragon, oregano, or mint, and couple your arugula with butter lettuce, Romaine, spinach, and more.
- 12/17
Wild Arugula Salad With Garlic Croutons, Shaved Parmesan, and Lemon
An excellent dinner party side dish or weekday lunch idea, this arugula salad recipe is easy to customize with halved cherry tomatoes, pitted olives, or a handful of chopped fresh herbs. Use a vegetable peeler to get those satisfyingly long strips of Parmesan cheese.
- 13/17
Steak and Arugula Salad
Leftover hanger steak gets a new lease on life with this arugula salad recipe. Toss in a handful of chopped pecans or cranberries for crunch or sweetness, or swap the grainy mustard dressing for a 3-to-1 mix of high-quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
- Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott14/17
Arugula, Grape, and Almond Salad With Saba Vinaigrette
Letting the chopped grapes sit in a small bowl with sherry vinegar, shallots, and kosher salt for 5 minutes while you prepare the rest of the salad ingredients develops deeply nuanced flavors. Finishing the dish with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar takes it over the top.
- Christopher Testani15/17
Radicchio and Apple Salad With Parmesan Crisps
Prepping the vinaigrette and Parmesan crisps up to two days in advance means you can pull this elegant arugula salad recipe together in minutes. Use any sweet-tart apple you like, and slice it as thinly as possible with a sharp knife, or get fancy with your mandoline.
- Photograph by Joann Pai, food and prop sryling by Rebekah Peppler16/17
Fried Lemon and Radish Salad
Blanching and frying lemon slices creates deep, layered flavors in less than 10 minutes. Make the punchy lemon vinaigrette up to two days in advance to minimize prep time, then toss the whole thing together right before serving.
- Danny Kim17/17
Bistro Salad With Roasted Vegetables
This bistro-inspired number features winter veggies like carrots, parsnips, and celeriac, proof that arugula salad recipes can impress all year long. Swap in toasted pine nuts, pistachios, pecans, or walnuts, and use any combination of frisée and arugula you like.