Strawberry-Balsamic Arugula Salad
A tangy and vibrant salad featuring fresh strawberries, peppery arugula, and a balsamic glaze, perfect for spring festivals. This french-inspired salads (vegan) ready in about 15 minutes pairs arugula, strawberries, walnuts 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 190 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
- 1.5 lbs, hulled and halved strawberries
- 1/2 cup, chopped walnuts
- 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, toss arugula, strawberries, and walnuts.
- Step 2: In a small jar, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey, olive oil, balsamic glaze, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
- Step 3: Drizzle dressing over the salad, tossing to coat. Serve immediately, ensuring each bite has a balance of sweet, tangy, and peppery notes.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Strawberry-Balsamic Arugula Salad 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 Strawberry-Balsamic Arugula Salad?
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 arugula from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Strawberry-Balsamic Arugula Salad?
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 Strawberry-Balsamic Arugula Salad 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 Strawberry-Balsamic Arugula Salad vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Best recipe I've made this month.
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
