Summer Berry and Arugula Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
A vibrant salad featuring sweet berries, peppery arugula, and a tangy balsamic dressing that highlights summer's freshest flavors. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 10 minutes pairs Arugula, Mixed berries, Balsamic vinegar 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 2, 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
- 5 oz Arugula
- 2 cups Mixed berries
- 2 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tbsp Honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/8 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Whisk together 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified and smooth.
- Step 2: Toss 5 oz arugula and 2 cups mixed berries with the dressing until evenly coated, ensuring all greens are lightly dressed.
- Step 3: Serve immediately at room temperature, optionally sprinkling with additional black pepper for a final touch.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Summer Berry and Arugula Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 10 minutes (10 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 Summer Berry and Arugula Salad with Balsamic 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 arugula from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Summer Berry and Arugula Salad with Balsamic 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 Summer Berry and Arugula Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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.
What goes well with Summer Berry and Arugula Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette?
Mediterranean salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.
