How to Make the Best Spinach Arugula Salad Recipe in 10 Minutes

Craving a salad that’s equal parts fresh, flavorful, and fast? This 10-minute spinach arugula salad is your answer—packed with vibrant greens, toasted walnuts, and a zesty lemon dressing. Whether you need a light lunch, a quick side dish, or a meal-prep hero, this salad delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

Why you’ll love it:

• No cooking required—just toss and go!
• Endlessly customizable (add protein, swap toppings, or tweak the dressing).
• Naturally gluten-free and easily made vegan.
• The peppery bite of arugula paired with tender spinach creates a crave-worthy texture.

Say goodbye to boring salads—this is the bright, satisfying bowl you’ll want on repeat. Let’s make it!

🥗 10-Minute Spinach Arugula Salad Overview:

⏳ Time Investment:

Prep Time	Assembly Time	Total Time
8 minutes	2 minutes	10 minutes

🍽️ Yield:

4 side servings (or 2 meal-sized portions)

⚖️ Key Metrics (Per Serving):

Calories: ~180 kcal | Carbs: 8g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g (with walnuts)

🌟 Why This Salad Recipe Works:

• 10-minute miracle: No cooking, just chop + toss
• Texture contrast: Crunchy walnuts + silky Parmesan
• Restaurant-worthy: Tangy homemade dressing beats bottled

🔍 Chef Secrets Revealed:

• Toast walnuts 3 mins for deeper flavor
• Soak red onions to mellow their bite
• Massage greens with oil to soften arugula’s spice

🔪 Must-Have Tools:

• Salad spinner (for ultra-crisp greens)
• Mason jar (perfect dressing shaker)
• Microplane (for Parmesan snow)

🌡️ Storing Your Salad:

• Undressed greens: 2 days in airtight container
• Dressing: 5 days refrigerated
• Pro Tip: Freeze leftover nuts for future salads

🌱 Dietary Swaps:

• Vegan? Skip Parmesan → nutritional yeast
• Nut-free? Try sunflower seeds
• Lower-carb? Double the greens

🛒 Ingredients for Your Spinach Arugula Salad Recipe

For the Salad Base:

• 3 cups baby spinach (about 5 oz) – look for crisp, dark green leaves
• 2 cups arugula – adds a spicy kick (sub mixed greens if preferred)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved – or grape tomatoes for extra sweetness
• ½ cup English cucumber, thinly sliced – no peeling needed!
• ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced – soak in cold water for 5 mins to mellow flavor

For the Crunch & Protein:

• ⅓ cup walnuts, roughly chopped – toast for 3 mins for deeper flavor
• ¼ cup shaved Parmesan cheese – omit for vegan or use nutritional yeast

Lemon Garlic Dressing:

• 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil – the good stuff makes a difference!
• 1½ tbsp fresh lemon juice – about ½ large lemon
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard – emulsifies the dressing beautifully
• 1 small garlic clove, minced – or ¼ tsp garlic powder in a pinch
• ½ tsp honey or maple syrup – balances the acidity
• ¼ tsp sea salt + black pepper to taste

👩‍🍳 Let’s Make This Vibrant Spinach Arugula Salad!

🔹Step1 :Prep Like a Pro: Crisp Greens First

Grab your trusty salad spinner – we’re giving 3 cups baby spinach and 2 cups arugula a cold shower! Why? Wet greens = sad, dressing-repelling leaves. Spin them dry like you’re winning the salad Olympics.
Chef’s Touch: Tear oversized spinach leaves for that perfect bite-sized luxury.

🔹Step2 :Toast Your Way to Flavor Town (Optional Game-Changer)

Heat a dry skillet over medium. Toss in ⅓ cup walnuts and dance them around for 3-4 minutes until they smell like cozy autumn nights.
🔥 Pro Move: Toast a whole batch – your future salads will thank you!

🔹Step3 :Shake Up That Zesty Lemon Garlic Dressing

• In a small jar, combine:
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1½ tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 minced garlic clove
  • ½ tsp honey
  • ¼ tsp salt + pepper
• Shake vigorously for 10 seconds until creamy. Taste and adjust – want more tang? Add lemon!

🔹Step4 :Assemble With Artistry

• In a large bowl, layer:
  • Spinach + arugula
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • ½ cup sliced cucumber
  • ¼ cup soaked red onions (drained)
• Gentle hands! Toss your 10-minute spinach arugula salad with half the dressing to start.

🔹Step5: The Grand Finale

Rain down those toasted walnuts and Parmesan snow (use a microplane for fluffy clouds).
💎 Drizzle the remaining dressing tableside for that restaurant-worthy crispness.

�‍♂️ Chef’s Little Black Book of Salad Secrets

1. The Dressing That Keeps on Giving

🚀 Double it & dream bigger! Whip up a big batch of that zesty lemon-garlic dressing and stash it in a mason jar—it’ll stay fresh for 3 days. Perfect for drizzling over grilled veggies, grain bowls, or even as a marinade for chicken!

2. No Salad Spinner? No Problem!

💡 The Towel Trick: Lay your greens on a clean kitchen towel, roll it up gently, and give it a few playful shakes. Works like a charm to banish excess water—crispiness guaranteed.

3. From Side to Superstar Meal

🍗 Protein Power-Up: Transform this salad into a main event with:

• Grilled chicken (try it with lemon pepper seasoning)
• Pan-seared shrimp (5 minutes is all you need)
• Roasted chickpeas (toss with smoked paprika before baking)

4. The Parmesan Upgrade You Need

🧀 Microplane Magic: Skip pre-shredded Parmesan—freshly grated melts into the greens like a whisper of umami. Your taste buds will throw a party.

5. Emergency Fix for Overdressed Greens

⚠️ Soggy Salad SOS: Toss in a handful of extra arugula or a few croutons to soak up excess dressing. Crisis averted!

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

Perfect Pairings:

 🍗 Protein Boosters

• Grilled chicken breast (try lemon-herb marinade)
• Pan-seared salmon (flaky and rich with the peppery greens)
• Crispy chickpeas (for vegan protein + crunch)

🍞 Bread & Grains

• Warm crusty baguette with garlic butter
• Quinoa or farro (toss right into the salad)
• Parmesan crostini (cheesy crunch!)

🥂 Drinks That Shine

• Sparkling water with lemon slices
• Iced green tea with honey

Occasion Ideas:

💐 Brunch Star: Serve with poached eggs and mimosas
🍽 Dinner Side: Pair with creamy pasta or roasted chicken
🧺 Picnic Perfect: Pack undressed greens + dressing separately

❓ Spinach Arugula Salad FAQs at a Glance

Question	Quick Answer	Pro Tip
Can I prep this ahead?	✅ Yes! Store undressed greens + dressing separately for up to 2 days.	Use airtight containers with paper towels to absorb moisture.
How to make it more filling?	Add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or quinoa.	Marinate proteins in extra dressing for bonus flavor!
Why is arugula spicy?	Naturally peppery. Baby arugula = milder option.	Massage leaves with olive oil to soften bite.
Bottled dressing okay?	🟡 Yes, but homemade tastes fresher.	*Add 1/2 tsp honey + fresh herbs to bottled dressing.*
How to avoid soggy salad?	Dress right before eating. Store components separately.	Ceramic/glass bowls prevent metallic aftertaste.
Can I freeze it?	❌ No (greens turn mushy). Dressing freezes for 1 month.	Freeze dressing in ice cube trays for single servings.
Vegan substitutes?	Nutritional yeast or toasted sunflower seeds instead of Parmesan.	Add miso paste to dressing for umami depth.

🥗 Enjoy Your Fresh & Flavorful Spinach Arugula Salad!

There you have it—a crisp, vibrant 10-minute spinach arugula salad that’s as easy as it is delicious! Packed with peppery arugula, tender spinach, and a zesty lemon dressing, this recipe proves that healthy eating can be deliciously simple.

Perfect for:
• Quick lunches that actually satisfy
• Elegant dinner party sides
• Meal-prep heroes (dressing on the side!)

Love wholesome comfort food? Don’t miss our latest hit:
✨ Healthy Butter Bean Lasagne Recipe You Need to Try ✨
(All the creaminess, none of the guilt!)

📸Show Off Your Salad!

Made this salad? Tag @GoldenForkRecipes_ –we’d love to feature your creations!

Stay hungry,
The Golden Fork Team