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Try these arugula recipes to use more of this healthy leafy green in your cooking! Throw it in salads, on a pizza, in a sandwich, and more.
Looking for all the best ways to add arugula to your life? We got you. There are so many delicious arugula recipes: and they’re not all salads! In fact, one of our favorite ways to use it is as a pizza topping! Toss it with a light drizzle of olive oil and salt, then throw it on after the pizza comes out of the oven. Instant freshness!
So let’s get down to it. Here are all the best arugula recipes for using this leafy green! Arugula is a cruciferous vegetable that’s full of vitamins, and a great choice if you’re considering adding more leafy greens to your diet.
A note on baby arugula!
Before we start, a quick note on types of arugula. You’ll find a few types available at your grocery store.
- Baby arugula is arugula harvested as a young plant: it has a fluffy texture and a mild flavor. Make sure to look for baby arugula for these recipes! We prefer it for its texture and milder flavor. Mature arugula we find to taste a little too spicy and bitter.
- Standard or mature arugula has tougher leaves and a very peppery, almost bitter flavor. It’s generally sold in bunches, vs baby arugula is sold in containers or bags.
And now: our best arugula recipes!
This arugula salad might be the easiest salad you'll make! You don't even need to whisk up a vinaigrette: just toss the leafy greens with olive oil and fresh lemon juice. This one is designed for baby arugula, so make sure to find tender young arugula, which has a fluffy texture and milder flavor. Toss with Parmesan shavings and sliced shallot, and it's a Mediterranean-style side that can accent any meal.
A favorite way of ours to serve arugula in recipes: use it to top a pizza! You can do this on any pizza to add a hit of leafy greens. Simply grab a few handfuls of baby arugula, throw them in a bowl, and toss gently with a drizzle of olive oil and add a pinch of salt. When the pizza comes out of the oven, throw on the greens. They add a bright color and fresh flavor! Moderation is key here: a little goes a long way.
Got handfuls of arugula to use up? Try making this silky, garlicky Arugula Pesto! Arugula is ideal for a bright green pesto: the flavor is boldly peppery but brilliant. This glistening sauce announces its presence! Stir it into hot pasta, spread on a pizza, or dollop onto crostini with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes.
Here's a decadent arugula recipe: serve it with burrata cheese! Burrata is fresh mozzarella cheese filled with cream, and it's just as epic as it sounds. Place it on a bed of arugula and tomatoes, and it's a tasty appetizer recipe that will have you dreaming of Italy.
Here's a favorite back pocket concept: the Goat Cheese Salad with Arugula and Apples! It’s simple and comes together quickly, but my does it deliver on flavor! The crunch of the apples, creamy goat cheese, and fluffy arugula are the ideal pair for the tangy sweet dressing.
Here's a great arugula recipe: use lightly wiled arugula to top a sandwich! This breakfast sandwich can be made in 5 minutes (really!) and it's a nice savory breakfast option. You'll fry an egg, then top it with pesto on a sandwich. While the pan is still warm, wilt down a handful of baby arugula to use as a topping. It's so simple! You can do this with any sandwich.
Here’s a green salad idea that’s flavorful and versatile: arugula beet salad! It features jewel-toned roasted beets with baby arugula, all covered in a zingy citrus vinaigrette. Add thin-sliced shallots and toasted walnuts, and it tastes sophisticated with minimal effort.
Arugula goes well in both green salads and grain salad recipes! Here it's combined with whole grain farro, which has a chewy texture similar to barley. It's accessorized with crisp veggies, savory cheese, and a tangy vinaigrette. Adding baby arugula adds lovely color, and the dressing lightly wilts it.
Here’s a salad that’s about as delightful as they come: this fresh and herby Couscous Salad! Throw couscous and arugula together with fresh dill and mint, garlic, lemon and a pile of vegetables, then sprinkle with salty feta. Take a bite and it’s irresistibly fresh and savory.
Last up in our arugula recipes: Blackberry Salad! Use half baby arugula and half of another green, like baby spinach or kale. Adding arugula as a component gives a nice texture and doesn't overwhelm with the peppery flavor. This one accessorizes with creamy goat cheese, fresh blackberries, and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette.
Other recipes with leafy greens!
Love getting leafy greens into your diet? Us too! Here are our favorite ways to eat greens:
- The BEST Kale Salad
- Tuscan Lentil Stew with Kale
- Baked Kale Chips
- Kale Caesar Salad
- Veggie Packed Quinoa Fried Rice
- Spinach Apple Salad
- Chickpea Curry with Spinach
- Glowing Green Smoothie
12 Great Arugula Recipes: Arugula Salad & More!
Here’s the simplest salad you’ll ever make! This easy arugula salad is fool-proof: you don’t even need to make dressing. It comes together in minutes!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutese
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 6 to 8 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Raw
- Cuisine: Side Dish
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Parmesan cheese shavings (about 1.5 ounces)*
- 1 small shallot
- 8 cups (5 ounces) baby arugula (do not use standard arugula, usually sold in bunches)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice + zest of ½ lemon
Instructions
- If necessary, shave the Parmesan cheese with a vegetable peeler. Thinly slice shallot.
- In large bowl, place the baby arugula, olive oil, lemon zest (optional), lemon juice, and kosher salt. Use your hands to toss everything so it’s evenly coated. Add the Parmesan shavings and shallot and toss for a few seconds until combined. Taste and add additional salt if desired.
Notes
*For quickest prep, buy a container of Parmesan shavings.
