8 Phenomenal Arugula Recipes

Hi Sweet Friends,

You all know that leafy greens are the cornerstone of my diet and lifestyle. Where would I be without the incredible boost of chlorophyll? (I shudder to think.) Thankfully, these glorious greens provide us with buckets of nutrition, and they’re tasty and versatile to boot. We’re all used to seeing them in salads galore, but do you ever find yourself making the same exact recipe, day after day, with little variation? That, mon ami, is a no-no—boredom and monotony have no place in a nutrient-dense, plant-passionate kitchen! One simple way to beat the mealtime blahs is to explore a wide range of possibilities with a single ingredient. And this week, I’m celebrating my greens with a slew of arugula recipes.

Most greens are available year-round (score!) and during the late summer, there are countless goodies at the farmers’ market just waiting to jazz up your leafies. This is a perfect time to really get to know one special veggie, and make it part of your routine for years to come. In addition to being a pirate’s favorite green (arrrrrrugula!), this peppery plant is pretty much a dietary dream. It’s high in vitamins A and K, and also offers a little vitamin C and calcium. Not bad! Technically called eruca sativa, you might also find arugula listed as roquette or rocket, though the chances are pretty slim that eating this slightly spicy green will turn you into a can-can-ing missile.

When I’m looking for new ways to enjoy a certain food, my first stop is the internet. I love poring over blogs, staring at the insanely gorgeous photos and discovering recipes I never would’ve dreamt up. In combination with my best-loved cookbooks, blogs are a great bet for getting dinner on the table stat. Naturally, I turned to a few of my all-time faves to pull together these incredible arugula recipes, which I’m sure you’ll dig as much as I do. Happy munching!

8 Show-Stopping Arugula Recipes

Classic Vegan Caesar with Avocado and Chickpeas
Hello, gorgeous! This combination of smooth, luscious avocado, protein-packed chickpeas, light and airy romaine and zippy arugula is just perfect. I could easily eat this salad by the brilliant Isa Chandra Moskowitz every single day—boredom free.

Pistachio Arugula Pesto
It might sound sacrilege to call a sauce “pesto” without including basil. But if eating delicious, piquant pesto made with arugula and elegant pistachios is wrong, I don’t want to be right. (Bonus: the sauteed broccolini in this post from Vegan Yum Yum is divine.)

Asparagus and Arugula Pizza with Pesto
Want a double dose? Use the arugula pesto above (or, for more flavor variety, stick with the one listed in this recipe) on this easy peasy pie. Food 52 is a clearinghouse of recipes, and this one just happens to come from one of my favorite gals, Gena, from Choosing Raw.

Artichoke and Arugula Soup
Jackie Sobon, the lovely lady behind Vegan Yack Attack, created this flat-out genius recipe. I love how she blends two superstar main ingredients and offers a couple tweaks. As Jackie notes, this soup could easily be turned into either a dip or a side dish. A triple-threat recipe? Always a winner.

Fennel and Fruits with Mandarin Champagne Vinaigrette
Because of its punchy flavor, our little green friend makes an excellent pairing with fruit for a one-two punch of taste. This recipe from Crazy Sexy Kitchen is totally customizable, just make sure to include the arugula, fennel and your favorite crunchy fruit for an awesome taste and texture experience.

Arugula-Couscous Salad with Lemony Herb Vinaigrette
One amazing way to get your ‘gula on is to toss it with your favorite cooked grain in a hearty salad. This excellent dish from Eat Drink Better is a total star, and would also be delicious with quinoa or cooked brown rice.

Arugula Smothered Polenta
The ingenuity of this tasty appetizer from Cheeky Kitchen is that it blends textures. Some people think of arugula as weedy, and pass on it for lack of oomph. Letting it sit on top of a hearty, garlicky square of polenta fixes that sitch right up.

Roasted Pear and Arugula Salad
Ok, this is the last salad—promise! The combination of pears and arugula is classic, especially around the holidays and this version from 86 Lemons is a total go-to. Dried cranberries and pecans add both tartness and richness to this dynamic duo.

There you have it! Juice it, mash it into a spread, or eat it straight from the garden—arugula love is forever.

Peace & green leafies,