Simple Arugula Salad: An Effortless and Fast Recipe

Here’s the easiest salad you’ll ever prepare! This quick arugula salad can be assembled in just a few minutes. You don’t need to whip up a dressing!

There’s a time for crafting recipes like sourdough bread and margherita pizza with homemade dough. However, for side dishes, I prefer simplicity. This straightforward arugula salad is arguably the most effortless salad you’ll create.

This uncomplicated arugula salad has turned into my preferred side dish due to its lack of cooking required, assembly time of under 10 minutes, and the way it mimics the flavors of restaurant fare. The key? Quality ingredients and an ideal blend of peppery greens, zesty lemon, and nutty Parmesan.

5 star reader review

“I adore your recipes! This salad is SO simple and tasty. I’ve brought it to countless potlucks and it disappears quickly. I often make it for myself.” -Susan

Key ingredients for arugula salad

The components of this arugula salad are straightforward; just ensure they are top-notch. Here’s what you’ll need for this quick salad:

– Baby arugula: Baby arugula features a delicate texture and a gentle taste. Stay clear of regular arugula, which can be far too assertive.
– Shallot: Shallots contribute a subtle onion flavor.
– Olive oil and lemon juice: These create a quick and easy dressing. Be sure to use a real lemon and skip the fake juice. I like to add zest when I have time!
– Parmesan cheese shavings: For convenience, purchase pre-shaved Parmesan – or shave your own from a larger block.

Why baby arugula makes all the difference

If you take away one lesson here, remember this: this recipe is effective only if baby arugula is used. Regular arugula (the type typically available in bunches) will not yield the same dish. Here’s the distinction:

1. Baby arugula contains soft, feathery leaves with a mild peppery taste that provides flavor without overwhelming your palate. The texture is tender and nearly dissolves in your mouth.
2. Regular arugula has much sturdier stems and a strong, sometimes bitter taste that can overshadow the salad. The leaves are tougher and need more chewing. It’s often sold in bunches.

You can find baby arugula in various mainstream grocery stores and farmers’ markets across the U.S. As a general rule, if it’s packaged in a bunch, give it a wide berth. Opt for the baby greens available in packages or bags. If you have leftover arugula, you can prepare a batch of arugula pesto or toss it into other green salads.

Lemon zesting tips

In my childhood, genuine lemons were never present in our kitchen. But now that I manage my own cooking space, they are a staple! Real lemon juice is unparalleled compared to bottled lemon juice.

If you have time, add the zest from half a lemon to the mixture. The most effective method for zesting a lemon is with a microplane grater, which completes the task swiftly.

Substitutions and variations

This salad pairs exceptionally well with thinly sliced, crisp tart apples. I love it that way so much that I included it as a recipe in my latest cookbook with Alex.

It also performs wonderfully with sliced roasted beets in an arugula beet salad. You can experiment by adding toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds, or even sliced cherry tomatoes. However, I’ve learned to resist the urge to overcomplicate things; this salad’s charm lies in its simplicity.

Ways to serve this easy arugula salad

This arugula salad is so classic and straightforward that it complements nearly every type of cuisine. It’s particularly ideal alongside Italian dishes, Mediterranean meals, or as a side for soup. Here are several serving suggestions:

Storage and make-ahead tips

While this salad tastes best fresh, I’ve discovered some strategies for storing leftovers:

– Refrigerator storage: If you have surplus (which is rare at my home!), keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The arugula may wilt, but it remains quite edible.
– Make-ahead tip: You can prepare the shallots and Parmesan shavings a day in advance and store them separately. Avoid dressing the arugula until just before serving, as the acidity in the lemon juice will cause the leaves to wilt.

Dietary notes

This arugula salad is vegetarian and gluten-free. For a vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free option, use vegan Parmesan.

Easy Arugula Salad

Here’s the easiest salad you’ll ever prepare! This quick arugula salad is fool-proof: you don’t even need to make

Steps for Making a Broccoli Smoothie

This nutritious broccoli smoothie recipe transforms the wholesome green vegetable into a deliciously creamy delight! It only takes 5 minutes to prepare, tastes fantastic, and is packed with vitamins, fiber, and protein.

If you’re looking to incorporate more broccoli into your diet or aim for healthier eating overall, smoothies are an excellent method to achieve this. This broccoli smoothie sweetens the vegetable flavor, making it creamy enough that you can hardly notice it’s there!

To be truthful, my household is filled with broccoli enthusiasts who don’t require my stealthy vegetable integrations. However, if you need a quick, nutritious breakfast or snack, this broccoli smoothie is a delightful choice. The key lies in the balance: creating synergy between the earthy vegetable and vibrant, sweet fruits!

Ingredients you’ll require

This broccoli smoothie merges fruit and yogurt with the green florets to create a remarkable taste. My son quickly devoured this and immediately asked for more.

Of course, there’s no genuine trick involved. This smoothie primarily consists of fruits such as apple, banana, and pineapple that contribute to a delightful treat. Here’s the concise list:

– **Broccoli:** Cut it into small florets and toss it in.
– **Apple:** I prefer using green apples for their sweet-tart flavor and green hue, but any apple works.
– **Banana:** Banana is essential for achieving a creamy consistency.
– **Frozen pineapple:** The frozen pineapple introduces the perfect frosty texture and sweetness. You can swap with frozen mango if you prefer!
– **Greek yogurt:** Greek yogurt is ideal for smoothies because of the additional protein and probiotics that aid digestion and gut health.

Broccoli smoothie variations I enjoy

If you’re aiming for a greener smoothie or something cold and icy, here are a few alternatives to this broccoli smoothie:

– **Spinach:** Incorporate 1 cup of baby spinach for an even deeper green shade (I often do this; you won’t notice the difference!)
– **Ice:** Toss in ½ to 1 cup of ice for a lighter, icier smoothie.
– **Cinnamon:** Add a bit of flair with ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon.
– **Berries:** Replace frozen strawberries or blueberries for the pineapple. This alteration will change the color and make it slightly more tart, so you might want to sweeten it with a bit of maple syrup.

How to create a dairy-free or vegan version

Enjoying vegan smoothies? You can turn this broccoli smoothie vegan by following these steps:

– **Skip the Greek yogurt and use almond or oat milk instead of water.** Begin with ½ cup and adjust as needed to achieve the desired blend and texture. You might also want to throw in some ice to enhance the frothiness.
– **If preferred, incorporate protein through nut butter.** Since Greek yogurt is protein-rich, consider adding nut butter like cashew or almond as a vegan substitute.

Nutritional advantages of broccoli

This green vegetable is among the healthiest options available! Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable belonging to a family that includes cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and kale. Here’s why you should add broccoli to your smoothies:

– **It’s an excellent fiber source.** A cup of raw broccoli contains 2.3 grams of fiber, or about 5 to 10% of your daily requirement.
– **It’s very high in Vitamin C.** Just a ½ cup supplies 70% of your daily value of vitamin C.
– **It’s relatively high in protein for a green vegetable.** A cup contains 3 grams of protein (comparable to asparagus and potatoes).

Storage and preparation tips

This smoothie is best enjoyed immediately, but it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours in a covered jar. Be sure to stir it well before consuming, as separation is natural.

You can also pour any leftover smoothie into ice cube trays. These frozen cubes can enhance future smoothies or be thawed for a quick snack.

Dietary notes

This broccoli smoothie recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free. For a plant-based, dairy-free, and vegan option, refer to the details above.

Magic Broccoli Smoothie

A broccoli smoothie makes consuming this nutritious vegetable effortless! Blended with fruit and yogurt, it’s a fabulously healthy snack.

– **Prep Time:** 5 minutes
– **Total Time:** 5 minutes
– **Yield:** 1 large or 2 small smoothies

Ingredients:

– ½ cup Greek yogurt*
– ½ cup water
– 1 cup small broccoli florets, chopped
– 1 large green apple, diced
– 1 banana (at room temperature)
– 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in the blender, adding the liquids first and breaking the banana into pieces.
2. Blend until you reach a smooth consistency.
3. Consume immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 day in a covered jar.

*For a vegan smoothie, eliminate the Greek yogurt. If you’d like a