Arugula and Citrus Salad with Honey Vinaigrette
A vibrant green salad with peppery arugula, zesty citrus, and a sweet-honey dressing to balance its bitterness. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 15 minutes pairs washed arugula, large, zested and juiced orange, small, zested and juiced lemon into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 cups, washed arugula
- 1 large, zested and juiced orange
- 1 small, zested and juiced lemon
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup, chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, toss 4 cups arugula with 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp orange juice, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp orange zest, 1 tbsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp honey, and a pinch of salt.
- Step 3: Toss the salad with the dressing and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped walnuts. Serve chilled.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Arugula and Citrus Salad with Honey Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Arugula and Citrus Salad with Honey Vinaigrette?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep washed arugula from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Arugula and Citrus Salad with Honey Vinaigrette?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Arugula and Citrus Salad with Honey Vinaigrette for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Arugula and Citrus Salad with Honey Vinaigrette vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better general dishes though.
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