You can easily add more greens to your diet with this simple arugula side salad recipe. It takes only 5 minutes to make and features fresh greens from your Rise Garden. We love it with a frittata for breakfast or brunch--or a side salad for lunch or dinner. This salad recipe is a great recipe to keep in your back pocket when you need a healthy recipe quickly!
Simple Lemon Parmesan Arugula Side Salad
Serves: 2pp
Prep Time: 5 mins
Ingredients
- 2 cups arugula (1-2 bunches of arugula from your Rise Garden)
- 2 oz shaved parmesan
- 1 oz sliced almonds or sunflower seeds
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 1/2 tsp honey
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
Directions
- Step One Whisk together lemon juice, honey, olive oil, salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Step Two In a medium bowl, toss the arugula and lemon vinaigrette until the arugula is lightly covered.
- Step Three Add half of the arugula to each plate and top with the parmesan and almonds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow arugula in a Rise Garden?
Yes — arugula is one of the fastest and most rewarding greens to grow in a Rise Garden, typically ready for its first harvest in as little as two to three weeks. Its peppery, slightly bitter flavor intensifies in warm conditions, so cooler indoor environments tend to produce a milder leaf. Arugula is a continuous cut-and-come-again crop, meaning you can harvest outer leaves regularly for weeks. You can get started quickly by picking up seed pods designed specifically for indoor hydroponic growing.
What are the health benefits of arugula?
Arugula is a nutrient-dense leafy green rich in vitamins K, C, and A, along with folate and antioxidants like beta-carotene. It contains glucosinolates, plant compounds associated with anti-inflammatory and cancer-protective properties. According to the USDA, hydroponically grown leafy greens can contain up to 50% more vitamins than their store-bought counterparts due to reduced time between harvest and consumption. Because arugula grown in a Rise Garden is harvested fresh and eaten quickly, it retains far more of these nutrients than store-bought greens that have traveled long distances.
What goes well with arugula in a simple salad?
Arugula pairs beautifully with salty, rich ingredients that balance its natural bitterness — shaved Parmesan, toasted pine nuts, and a bright lemon vinaigrette are classic companions. Thinly sliced prosciutto or a soft-boiled egg can turn a simple arugula salad into a satisfying light meal. For a seasonal twist, add roasted beets or sliced strawberries for sweetness and color.
How do I make a lemon Parmesan dressing for arugula?
Whisk together the juice of one lemon, two tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, a small minced garlic clove, salt, and cracked black pepper until emulsified. Freshly grated Parmesan stirred directly into the dressing adds a savory, umami depth that coats the arugula leaves beautifully. Research from Cornell University's Center for Controlled Environment Agriculture notes that indoor-grown herbs and greens harvested at peak maturity deliver significantly more concentrated flavor compounds than field-grown equivalents. This dressing comes together in under two minutes and highlights the fresh, peppery notes of homegrown arugula perfectly.
