12 Arugula Recipes for Fans of the Bitter Green

In more than salads, arugula packs a punch

By
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
A freelance journalist and avid home cook, Cathy Jacobs has more than 10 years of food writing experience, with a focus on curating approachable menus and recipe collections.
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Published on 04/27/20
Wheat Berry Salad With Arugula, Pear and Goat Cheese

Laurel Randolph

Arugula, or rocket, is more than just a salad ingredient. This tender, bite-sized leafy green has a pleasant, peppery flavor, and tastes great in dishes from pizza to sandwiches, and more. Here are our favorite recipes that make great use of arugula.

  • 01 of 12

    Fennel, Grapefruit, and Arugula Salad

    Fennel, Grapefruit, and Arugula Salad

    Getty Images

    Fresh greens, fruit, and vegetable elements come together in in this crunchy, refreshing salad that offers a unique mix of flavors and textures. Peppery arugula, crisp, fragrant fennel, and juicy, sweet-tart grapefruit mingle harmoniously in a simple olive dressing with a little grapefruit juice.

  • 02 of 12

    Italian Ciabatta Sandwich

    Italian Ciabatta Sandwich Recipe
    Italian Ciabatta Sandwich Recipe. Grilled Cheese Social

    Everyone loves an Italian sub, but sometimes the size is simply too much. This sandwich calls for a ciabatta roll, which is much smaller than a hoagie, but can still hold up to this ingredient-packed sandwich. Layers of roasted rosemary ham and salami are piled high with roasted red peppers, roasted yellow peppers, basil, arugula, olive oil, and white balsamic glaze. The flavors of your favorite Italian sub, but in a serving for one.

  • 03 of 12

    Grilled Cheese With Scrambled Eggs and Arugula Pesto

    Grilled Cheese With Scrambled Eggs and Arugula Pesto

    MacKenzie Smith/Grilled Cheese Social

    Arugula pesto is the star of this outstanding breakfast grilled cheese sandwich. Fresh baby arugula leaves, walnuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, olive oil, and salt combine to create an amazingly delicious spread that enlivens creamy scrambled eggs and goat cheese, stuffed between two slices of toasted, buttered whole wheat bread.

  • 04 of 12

    Grilled Fig and Arugula Pizza

    Grilled Fig and Arugula Pizza

    Thecrimsonmonkey/Getty Images

    Start with frozen pizza dough to make this easy, sweet and savory pizza that makes a fabulous party appetizer, or a dinner idea for two. Figs, arugula, and Spanish Manchego cheese (or shaved Parmesan) are the sophisticated toppings, and a little olive oil helps the crust to bake up nice and crispy.

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  • 05 of 12

    Shaved Asparagus and Arugula Salad With Cilantro Dressing

    Shaved Asparagus and Arugula Salad With Cilantro Dressing

    Laurel Randolph

    Springy shaved asparagus teams up with chewy edamame beans, and bite-sized arugula leaves, in this bright green salad. Top it with crispy, toasted breadcrumbs for a surprising crunch factor, and sprinkle with freshly-grated Parmesan cheese, to add a salty bite.

  • 06 of 12

    Japanese Salad With Arugula and Daikon Radish Sprouts

    Japanese Salad With Arugula and Daikon Radish Sprouts

    Judy Ung

    Arugula and daikon radish sprouts share a similar, mild, naturally spicy taste that defines this lovely, light salad. Mix up a simple dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, and salt to enliven the fresh ingredients, and scatter the salad with dried bonito flakes (available in Asian markets) for a subtle taste of the sea.

  • 07 of 12

    Goat Cheese, Rosemary Ham, Apple and Honey Sandwich With Fresh Arugula

    Goat Cheese, Rosemary Ham, Apple and Honey Sandwich With Fresh Arugula

    Grilled Cheese Social

    Arugula is an essential ingredient in this baguette sandwich, adding its peppery green bite to sweet, honey-drizzled apples, salty rosemary ham, and creamy goat cheese. Make it for your brown bag lunch, refrigerating until time to eat. Or toss the bread altogether, boost the amount of arugula, and enjoy the fillings as a delicious salad bowl.

  • 08 of 12

    Grilled Pear and Sweet Potato Salad With Arugula and Spinach

    Grilled Pear and Sweet Potato Salad With Arugula and Spinach

    Regarding BBQ, Inc.

    Grilled vegetable salads are always an elegant idea when you're hosting friends for lunch. This wonderful wintery salad looks as great as it tastes, with its colorful combination of grilled sweet potatoes, caramelized pears, baby arugula and spinach leaves, toasted pecans, and crumbled feta cheese, in a charming apply jelly vinaigrette.

    Continue to 9 of 12 below.
  • 09 of 12

    Heirloom Tomato Salad With Goat Cheese and Arugula

    Heirloom Tomato Salad With Goat Cheese and Arugula

    Miri Rotkovitz

    Lush heirloom tomatoes come around every summer to dazzle us with their gorgeous array of colors, sizes, and flavor profiles. Take advantage of this seasonal ingredient by assembling a winning salad with large or small tomatoes, baby arugula, and chevre, in a simply delicious honey-and-basil vinaigrette.

  • 10 of 12

    Roast Chicken With Bread Salad And Arugula

    Roast Chicken With Bread Salad And Arugula

    Jon Lovette/Getty Images

    Recreate the famous chicken dish from San Francisco's Zuni Cafe with this amazing recipe. Roasted chicken pieces (you can roast a whole bird, or use a rotisserie chicken) nestle on a bed of warm bread salad with wilted arugula, pine nuts, and currants. Serve hot or warm.

  • 11 of 12

    Wheat Berry Salad With Arugula, Pear and Goat Cheese

    Wheat Berry Salad With Arugula, Pear and Goat Cheese

    Laurel Randolph

    Wheat berries are a super-food grain with a nutty flavor, and a satisfyingly chewy texture. They are easy to prepare, and provide a tasty base for a nutritious main course salad, or side dish in smaller portions, with baked butternut squash, arugula, pear, walnuts, and goat cheese, in a maple flavored vinaigrette.

  • 12 of 12

    Quinoa With Arugula, Butternut Squash, and Citrus Vinaigrette

    Quinoa With Arugula, Butternut Squash, and Citrus Vinaigrette

    Miri Rotkovitz

    Looking for a festive, holiday side dish? Try this super delicious medley of roasted butternut squash, tender baby arugula greens, nutty quinoa grains, and bright red pomegranate seeds. It makes an excellent accompaniment to roast chicken, meat, or fish, and can serve as a main course vegetarian salad on its own.