Toasted Walnut and Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-03 · Updated 2026-05-03

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Peppery arugula tossed with crunchy toasted walnuts and a bright lemon vinaigrette for a refreshing Whole30-compliant salad. This Mediterranean-inspired Whole30 recipe (gluten free), ready in about 15 minutes, pairs fresh arugula, walnuts, extra virgin olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 190 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 5 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 190 cal/serving

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Ingredients

5 cups fresh arugula
3/4 cup, roughly chopped walnuts
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1, minced garlic clove
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add 3/4 cup chopped walnuts and toast, stirring frequently, for 4-5 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Transfer to a plate to cool.
Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
Step 3: In a large bowl, combine 5 cups fresh arugula and the cooled toasted walnuts. Drizzle the lemon vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all leaves evenly.
Step 4: Serve immediately as a bright, crunchy side or light lunch.