Benefits of Arugula
Arugula is a dark leafy green that most of us probably don’t eat often enough. Which is why this salad should be added to your weekly rotation! Here’s what I love about arugula:
It’s a good source of calcium, which may help to promote bone health and muscle function. It contains folate, which is a B vitamin that supports DNA production, and is especially important during pregnancy. Arugula is a cruciferous vegetable, so it’s a good source of phytonutrients, which may help to lower inflammation in the body. One study suggests that it may have anti-cancer properties.
Plus, the peppery flavor of arugula makes a nice change in your regular salad routine!
How to Make the Best Arugula Salad
To make this delicious salad, you’ll need to prepare the dressing. It’s what brings all of these flavors together, and it tastes so much better than a store-bought bottle of salad dressing. Tart raspberries brighten up this easy recipe, and also allow you to use less oil than a traditional salad dressing. I like to add a touch of shallot to the dressing, but you can use red onion, if that’s easier.
The great thing about making your own salad dressing is that you can taste it as you go– so feel free to adjust the sweetness to your preference. You can make this dressing up to 2 days in advance, so feel free to do that and keep it stored in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to serve this salad. It’s best to dress it right before serving, so it doesn’t get soggy.
Arugula Salad Toppings
Below you’ll find some of my favorite toppings for this salad, but keep in mind that you can swap them out for whatever happens to be in season and available to you. Fresh raspberries make a great topping when they are in season, but you can use pomegranate arils in the late Fall and Winter months. They add beautiful color for a holiday meal. Need another way to use arugula? Try my Creamy Arugula Soup! Recipe Notes:
If you don’t have red wine vinegar on hand, feel free to swap it for apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar. Both should work well with this combination, flavor-wise! To make this recipe vegan or Paleo-friendly, leave off the cheese.
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment below letting me know how you like it. And if you make any modifications, let me know how it works out! We can all benefit from hearing about your experience. – Reader Feedback: What’s your favorite salad combination? This holiday salad is my usual go-to for bringing to parties, but I think I’m going to bring this arugula one this year to switch things up!
