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This lemon arugula salad is a simple healthy salad tossed in a fresh lemon honey vinaigrette. It is inspired by the Grimaldi’s lemon arugula salad and only takes 5 minutes to make!
My newest salad obsession is this arugula salad with lemon dressing recipe. For something that is so simple and so easy to make, it has so much flavor!
The lemon vinaigrette has the best tart yet sweet lemon taste; it is truly delicious! Add this lemon ginger turmeric salmon on top of this salad for an amazing complete meal. And if you are feeling lemons, try my lemon sugar cookies!
I’m sharing this recipe here because I wish I had discovered this salad sooner and needed to share the amazingness of this easy-to-make salad. It is naturally Gluten-free and Grain-free. It can easily be made dairy-free as well.
Try this Italian Salad Dressing by Evolving Table for another fun copycat recipe.
Table of Contents
Why this recipe works:
- It has the best lemon dressing for arugula salad. The sweet honey cuts the tartness of the lemon while enhancing its flavor.
- It tastes just like the lemon arugula salad at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria.
- It is made with a handful of healthy ingredients.
- It comes together quickly… literally 5 minutes!
- It is easy to customize to fit your tastes or dietary needs.
Recipe Ingredients
- arugula– any packaged arugula will work here.
- lemon juice– fresh squeezed is always best.
- olive oil– a good quality extra virgin olive oil is ideal for salad dressings.
- honey– you can use any type of honey. Drippy ones dissolve more easily in the dressing.
- dried oregano– this adds nice flavor to the dressing.
- shaved parmesan cheese– shaved Parmesan ensures bigger bites of parmesan taste.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Additions/Substitutions
- Omit the cheese to make this salad dairy-free and Paleo
- Instead of honey, you can use maple syrup. This makes the salad dressing Vegan.
- You can add fruits and veggies to the salad, like berries, tomatoes, and carrots.
- You can add chili flakes to add some heat.
- Add some canned chicken salad on top for more protein.
Step by step salad instructions:
Step 1: Make the lemon dressing. I tried to make this one similar to the Grimaldi’s lemon vinaigrette recipe.
To make the dressing, add the lemon juice, olive oil, honey, dried oregano, salt and pepper to a bowl and mix well.
Step 2: Add the arugula to a large bowl.
Step 3: Add the Parmesan to the salad.
Step 4: Pour the dressing on top and mix everything together.
Recipe FAQs
It does, but it takes longer than other types of greens, like spinach.
Arugula has lots of antioxidants and vitamin K. Source.
You can make the dressing in advance. You can also add your arugula and Parmesan to a bowl in advance. You just have to mix the dressing into it before serving, so it doesn’t get soggy.
Other healthy salad recipes:
The Ultimate Grilled Chicken Greek Salad with Lemon, Mint, Turmeric Dressing
Shredded Cruciferous Salad with Grilled Chicken, Apple, and Avocado
Did you try this recipe? Please leave me a ⭐ review below!
Lemon Arugula Salad
Ingredients
- 7 ounces arugula
- 5 Tbs lemon juice
- 3 Tbs olive oil
- 1 Tbs honey
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- optional- 1/2 cup shaved parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the lemon juice, olive oil, honey, dried oregano, salt, and pepper together until well mixed. Set the dressing aside.
- Put the arugula into a large bowl. If you are adding parmesan, add it to the salad. Add the dressing to the salad and mix. Note: only add the dressing prior to serving or it will cause the salad to wilt.
Notes
- Omit the cheese to make this salad dairy-free and Paleo
- Instead of honey, you can use maple syrup. This makes the salad dressing Vegan.
- You can add fruits and veggies to the salad, like berries, tomatoes, and carrots.
- You can add chili flakes to add some heat.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I went to Grimaldi’s for the first time last weekend. I have been craving the arugula salad ever since. Found your recipe and it was perfection! Did not have parmesan – substituted chevre. Craving satisfied – for now… I’ll come back to this over and over again. Thank you!
Very happy to hear it!!
My new favorite!! I have probably made it 10 times now and tossed all my store bought dressings in the trash. I add just a bit more honey when I want something sweet.
Love hearing it! I make this all the time as well.
Taste exactly like Grimaldi’s. Delicious.
Yessssss! Happy to hear that you agree with me 🙂