This bright arugula salad is one of my favorite simple side dishes. It’s so easy to toss together: marinate thinly shaved fennel and radishes for a few minutes before tossing them with arugula, toasted walnuts, and creamy avocado. And if you have it on hand, a dollop of pesto really takes it to the next level. With a simple lemon dressing, this salad has the perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, bright, and bitter components. It’s an excellent choice for a weeknight, but it’s good enough to serve as a side salad for a special occasion.
Arugula Salad Recipe Variations
Like most simple salads, this one is easy to play with. You could:
Try using thinly shaved celery in place of the fennel. Add a handful of your favorite fresh herb – mint or parsley would be excellent. Substitute toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds for the walnuts. Top it with a little cheese – crumbled feta or shaved Parmesan are my top picks. Mix in some shaved apple (I love it this way in fall).
The most important thing is to make it to suit your preferences – be sure to taste and adjust!
If you love this arugula salad recipe…
Try making this spring salad, this kale salad, or this quinoa salad next!
