I have to admit there have been times when I’ve created a beautiful salad in my head only to be disappointed by the time it gets to the plate. You know when you wind up pushing your fork around to find just the bits you like and leaving the rest behind? Well, not this time! This is THE BEST homemade arugula salad. It has subtle--notes of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy everything I want in a dish and I could literally eat it every day.
What I love about this salad is that each bite is full of variety. No matter what combination you get on your fork, with the peppery arugula, sweet corn, ripe pears, salty parmesan, juicy cherry tomatoes, and crunchy walnuts -- you are guaranteed a delicious mouthful. It’s truly a delight for the senses, both visually appealing and bursting with fresh goodness!
So what makes the perfect salad? The dressing, the greens, the toppings, and mix-ins? Well….yes. The key is balance - flavors and textures that work together. But equally important are the contrasts that create an interesting and delicious composition.
It’s no secret that arugula and parmesan were made for each other--peppery fresh greens with a rich salty cheese that can stand up to the spicy notes. Adding in those crisp fragrant pears, sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, and buttery walnuts create the symphony of flavors and textures that makes you want another bite...and another!
Lemon Balsamic Dressing
The lemon-balsamic-shallot dressing unites all of the ingredients together with its sweet-tangy notes. A poorly composed salad with ingredients that don’t work together can easily have a muddied flavor profile. Instead, here we have a bright and fresh composed dish, each ingredient adding to the dish.
Crowd Pleaser
The Arugula Salad with Shaved Parmesan and Pears is made for brunches and holidays. It’s super easy to put together, but with a touch of fancy that makes it just right for special occasions. I know I’ll be serving this salad all spring and summer--for Mother’s Day, brunches, and BBQs. It’s also a thoughtful vegetarian option.
Year Round Winner
You can find all of these ingredients year-round in most grocery stores. I always find beautiful organic arugula - there are some hydroponic varieties, in particular, that have an incredible spicy flavor. Want to skip one of these ingredients and add dried fruit instead for something more Autumnal? Go for it!
Ingredient Spotlight
- Arugula--fresh leafy greens with a distinct peppery flavor. Arugula is part of the Brassica family along with broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussel sprouts. It is a powerhouse of nutrition, packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It's a great source of calcium which is super important for people who are dairy-free. Also contains folate, Vitamins C &A, and potassium.
- Walnuts--tree nuts, a source of good fats--polyunsaturated. Also high in omega-3 fatty acids which have been shown to lower cholesterol. Source of antioxidants, manganese, calcium, and protein.
- Pears--high in dietary fiber which is essential for a well-functioning digestive system. Pears contain vitamin C and potassium, high water content, and lower in calories than many other fruits.
- Parmesan--besides being incredibly delicious, a good source of calcium for bone health. Also a good source of protein. Aged parmesan has much lower lactose than other forms of dairy.
Tips
- Buy the triple-washed baby arugula so you save time washing and drying the leaves. I get mine from Whole Foods
- Unlike most salads, I do not mix in the dressing. Simply drizzle it all over and as you pick up the salad with a pair of tongs the dressing will seep drown into the arugula. This also keeps the arugula fresh and prevents wilting for a longer time
- Want to make just for 1 or 2 servings? Build the salad directly on serving plates. Drizzle the dressing over and keep the leftovers to use during the next few days. Ingredients will stay good in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days
- Making ahead? Keep the salad and the dressing separate and pour the dressing over just before serving
- Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze at the end for a hint of sweetness that brings all the flavors together. I love the ready-made balsamic glaze from Trader Joe’s
Substitutions
Avoiding nuts? Throw in some sunflower or pumpkin seeds for a bit of crunch and an extra serving of nutrients. Raw or toasted quickly in a dry pan, either works.
No dairy? Skip the parmesan altogether or go for a simple homemade vegan parmesan. Most recipes call for cashews, nutritional yeast, salt, and garlic powder.
How to make Arugula Salad
- In a mixing bowl whisk olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, and black pepper. Stir in shallots.
- In a large bowl add arugula. Layer over corn, cherry tomatoes, and walnuts.
- Add shaved parmesan cheese and sliced pear. Drizzle the dressing when ready to serve and optionally drizzle some balsamic glaze.
How to Serve
This salad is absolutely perfect as-is for lunch--the kind of lunch you deserve! One that you’re excited to eat that also happens to be light and healthy.
As a side dish, especially with this balsamic dressing, the arugula salad pairs amazingly well with grilled meats, pizza, and pasta dishes. Want to make a main course salad that’s restaurant quality? Top with grilled or roasted shrimp, salmon, or chicken.
Did you enjoy this flavorful and healthy salad? Here are some more of my favorite salads:
My Favorite Arugula Salad
Ingredients
- 5 oz pack organic arugula
- 1 cup sweet corn steamed or roasted kernels
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 pear Anjou or Barlett, thinly sliced
- ½ cup walnuts roughly chopped (you can also use your choice of nuts)
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese shaved
Lemon Balsamic Dressing
- 2 tablespoons shallots minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Balsamic glaze optional
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl whisk olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, and black pepper. Stir in shallots.
- In a large bowl add arugula. Add corn, cherry tomatoes, pear, walnuts and parmesan cheese.
- Pour the dressing over just before serving. Drizzle glaze on top.
Video
Notes
- Buy the triple-washed baby arugula so you save time washing and drying the leaves. I get mine from Whole Foods
- Unlike most salads, I do not mix in the dressing. Simply drizzle it all over and as you pick up the salad with a pair of tongs the dressing will seep drown into the arugula. This also keeps the arugula fresh and prevents wilting for a longer time
- Want to make just for 1 or 2 servings? Build the salad directly on serving plates. Drizzle the dressing over and keep the leftovers to use during the next few days. Ingredients will stay good in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
- Making ahead? Keep the salad and the dressing separate and pour the dressing over just before serving
Nam says
Love love loved this salad ! It was delicious and I substituted apples in place of pears because that's what I thought my kids would like. I loved this salad! Thank you Archana !
Archana says
Thank you for the feedback! So happy to hear that. your kids approved it too