30 Arugula Recipes That Bring Bright, Peppery Flavor to the Table
Arugula shines in salads, soups, grain bowls, and so much more.
Peppery and all-purpose, arugula is just as delicious when used as the base for a salad, such as the Cara Cara and Blood-Orange Salad with Ricotta Salata, pictured here, as it is tucked into a sandwich with meat and cheese. Arugula's lobed leaves and spicy flavor are as distinctive as its name. If you're looking for ways to enjoy it more often, you're in the right place. Here, we've pulled together a collection of the best recipes that ensure that this plucky green the spotlight it deserves.
Arugula's signature flavor, which is tart and a bit bitter, comes from plants grown rapidly in cool climates and harvested young. Arugula is an ideal early-spring and fall crop. When shopping for arugula in the grocery store or at a farmers' market, look for bright green leaves that appear to be fresh and crisp. When you bring it home, wrap arugula tightly in a plastic bagāif it isn't already packaged in a clamshellāand refrigerate for no more than two days. Once it starts to wilt and lose its texture, compost or discard it.
Try arugula as the green in a hearty grain bowl packed with bulgur and rice, seasonal vegetables, and crumbled cheese, or else turn it into a simple side salad to serve alongside grilled steak, fish, or pasta. Dress up the green leaves with big shreds of Parmesan cheese and extra-virgin olive oil for a staple side dish that's a classic pairing for chicken piccata or breaded chicken cutlets. Another option is to toss it with thinly sliced vegetables like fennel and radicchio, then load it all on top of a homemade pizza.
Get out of a green rut with these 30 delicious and inspiring arugula recipes that will let you see this cruciferous leaf in a whole new light.
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Tuna Cakes with Arugula-Tomato Salad
Inspired by a traditional crab cake, this recipe calls for delicious canned tuna that's turned into patties and served over a simple salad of arugula and cherry tomatoes drizzled with olive oil.
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Sweet Corn, Zucchini, and Tomatoes with Bulgur
A stunning display of peak summer produce, this vegan grain salad features two cups of packed baby arugula, which provide a counterpoint to the sweet, juicy vegetables.
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Sausage-and-Peppers Pasta with Almond Frico
This 35-minute hearty pasta recipe is served with baby arugula that's dressed in a classic combination of oil and vinegar.
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Cilantro Rice Bowl with Poached Eggs and Greens
Fresh cilantro, lime juice, and habanero peppers bring plenty of bright, spicy flavor to this grain bowl that's topped with baby arugula.
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Curried Lentil-Salmon Salad
Baby arugula serves as a colorful base in this nutritious recipe that layers soy-honey salmon with cooked lentils, creamy Greek yogurt, and sliced cucumbers.
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Grilled Porterhouse with Brown Butter and Horseradish
Thanks to a flavorful combination of garlic, fresh horseradish, and brown butter, this porterhouse steak for two doesn't need much to accompany it. A simple arugula and olive salad should do the trick.
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Vegetable Soup
No matter the season or the ingredients you have on hand, this vegetable soup is for you. Why? Because it's totally customizableāpick your grains, leafy greens, and quick-cooking vegetables for an innovative and delicious soup.
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Vegetarian BLT with Roasted Shiitake Mushrooms
Swap the usual bacon for thick slices of mushrooms and arugula for the usual lettuce in these hearty vegetarian sandwiches. They're great for lunch or dinner.
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Tricolor-Salad Pizza
We're all for a simple but delicious margherita pizza. And a colorful topping of salad made with thinly sliced fennel, radicchio, and baby arugula takes it to the next level.
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Balsamic Potato Salad
If you find that the usual mayonnaise-based potato salad is too heavy, try this briny version made with Yukon gold potatoes, white balsamic vinegar, pepperoncini brine, extra-virgin olive oil, and wild arugula.
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Beef-and-Barley Burgers
A better-for-you recipe, these burgers marry the very best of a traditional beef patty with a veggie burger. To keep things lighter and healthier, serve them with a simple side salad of baby arugula, sliced cucumbers, and olive oil.
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Crispy Chicken Cutlets
One of our go-to Italian-American recipes is thinly pounded chicken served alongside a simple salad of arugula, big shreds of Parmesan cheese, and a generous drizzle of good-quality olive oil.
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Italian-Hero Chopped Salad
The beauty of this salad is that it's a hodgepodge of classic Italian deli meats and cheese (think: salami and provolone), plenty of vegetables and mixed greens including arugula, and a flavorful dressing made from mayonnaise, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.
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Garden Salad with Herbs and Sour-Cherry Dressing
Sour cherries are only in season for a short period in June, so make the most of them with this crowd-friendly salad packed with fresh tender herbs, mixed greens such as arugula and watercress, and thinly sliced red radishes.
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Rib-Eye with JalapeƱo Butter
Dress up this spicy bone-in rib-eye steak with a side of arugulaāthe combination of the crunchy, bitter greens and juicy meat is a match made in grilling heaven.
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Mushroom Tortellini with Arugula
If you're unsure what to do with store-bought cheese tortellini, try this umami-packed combination of ingredientsāa gourmet-blend mushrooms, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, and tangy crĆØme fraĆ®che.
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Peppery Greens with Meyer-Lemon Dressing
Next time you're looking for a simple side salad to accompany a main course, try this basic arugula salad. The star of the show is a fragrant, sweet dressing made with two tablespoons of fresh Meyer lemon juice and Dijon mustard.
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Cucumber Salad with Herbs, Kumquats, and Sumac Dressing
This flavor-packed, crowd-friendly cucumber salad features a delicious combination of tart kumquats, warm lemony sumac, bright fresh herbs (think mint and dill), and peppery baby arugula.
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Grilled Halibut Steaks with Potatoes, Olives, and Onions
Looking for an impressive summer entrĆ©e that will feed your family? This combination of grilled halibut steaks, poached potatoes, and charred breadāall of which is served over a bed of arugulaāshould do the trick.
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Gnocchi with Peas and Egg
Dress up store-boughtāor homemade gnocchiāwith soft-boiled eggs, fresh peas, arugula, and sliced white onions in this 35-minute vegetarian recipes.
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Grilled Squid with Fresh Red Chile and Arugula
Sometimes, the most special meals are simple and elegant, such as this spicy recipe. Fresh grilled squid is served over lemon-dressed arugula.
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Greek Turkey Burgers
Instead of the usual turkey burgers between a bun, these mini patties are served with yogurt, arugula, hummus, and cucumbers over flatbread pitas for a meal that will transport you to the Mediterranean.
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Sausage-and-Fontina Pizza
It's pizza night! Make your own pie with a colorful, crunchy combination of Italian sausage, fontina cheese, pickled jalapeƱo peppers, shaved fennel, and baby arugula.
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Steak-and-Brie Sandwich with Chimichurri
This is no ordinary Philly cheesecake. Tender flank steak is layered with baby arugula, roasted red peppers, and sliced brie cheese between a crusty baguette.
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Cherry Tomato, Corn, and Halloumi Salad
Halloumi is a super creamy, tangy Greek cheese that is best enjoyed grilled. Here, we've served it with cherry tomatoes and baby arugula for a Caprese-inspired dish.
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Chicken-Mozzarella Melts with Cherry Tomatoes
We can't get enough of this colorful, hearty dinner. Grilled chicken breasts are topped with melted mozzarella, juicy cherry tomatoes, arugula, and served with crusty bread.
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One-Pan Creamy Tuna Pasta
It's on the table in less than half an hour, and this family-friendly pasta is loaded with bright-green asparagus and arugula, lots of freshly grated Parmesan, and, of course, good-quality oil-packed tuna.
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Stuffed Portobellos with Arugula-and-Bread Salad
Loaded with spicy Italian chicken sausage and rustic Italian bread, and topped with bubbling mozzarella cheese, this warm and comforting dinner is sure to hit the spot on a cold winter's night.
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Butternut-and-Boursin Shells
Super creamy Boursin cheese is tossed with roasted butternut squash in this family-friendly pasta recipe. Before serving, top each bowl with arugula, toasted hazelnuts, and more cheese.