Dane County Farmers' Market Salad

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-29 · Updated 2026-03-29

A vibrant salad of heirloom tomatoes, peppery arugula, and Wisconsin cheddar, dressed with a tangy honey-balsamic vinaigrette. This american-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs chopped heirloom tomatoes, arugula, crumbled Wisconsin cheddar cheese 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 200 calories and feeds 6, 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

• 2 cups, chopped heirloom tomatoes
• 4 cups arugula
• 1 cup, crumbled Wisconsin cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup, sliced red onion
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups chopped heirloom tomatoes, 4 cups arugula, 1 cup crumbled cheddar, and 1/4 cup sliced red onion. Toss gently to mix.
2. Step 2: In a small jar, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
3. Step 3: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated. Serve immediately at room temperature or chilled.