This salad proves that sometimes simpler is better.
We just booked our 11th wedding we’ll be filming this summer! Woo hoo! I cannot tell you how excited I am that we have so many clients already. We’ve yet to spend 1 cent on advertising. Which is pretty wonderful given that we only have 2 wedding short films in our portfolio from last fall. Shawn is so unbelievably talented at filming and editing, and it really shows in the first 2 wedding short films he’s made. Luckily he’s a great teacher and is helping me become an expert too. We’re going to have lots of fun filming side by side all summer.
But 11 weddings means we only have a few free weekends left this summer. I am starting to mentally prepare myself to not get overwhelmed with all the packed weekends. But you won’t hear me complaining! I’ll take all the gigs we can get. We gotta pay for all those expensive cameras and sound equipment somehow! *wink*
Busy times like that are the reason I love this simple arugula salad. I am not lying when I say I make this at least 3 times a week. It is the perfect side dish to almost everything I make for dinner. Great alongside grilled meat, burgers, and I especially love it on top of pizza.
I make it with my go-to balsamic vinaigrette, which is the only vinaigrette dressing you need. I used to be a crazy girl and buy my balsamic vinaigrette in college (say what?). But after a friend made this for me I have been using this dressing and making my own ever since. It tastes WAY better than the bottled stuff, and is the perfect compliment to the peppery arugula.
Arugula Salad With My Favorite Balsamic Vinaigrette
Prep Time: 2 mins- Cook Time: 3 mins
- Total Time: 5 mins
Yield: 2 people 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeIngredients
- 4 ounces baby arugula
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- pinch of salt & pepper
Instructions
- Make the vinaigrette by combining the olive oil, mustard, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt & pepper in the bottom of your salad bowl. Stir to combine.
- Add in the arugula and toss to combine.
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Sarah@WholeAndHeavenlyOven says
April 8, 2014 at 4:48 amCongrats on all the wedding gigs, Natalie! That’s so amazing that you and Shawn get to do that! ;) And this salad! It looks so fresh and colorful. Arugula is one of my favorite greens and I am in LOVE that balsamic vinaigrette. — Only 4 ingredients…whaa?? Sign me up!
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says
April 8, 2014 at 6:20 amWow, 11 already. That’s awesome. Congrats! I love simp arugula with balsamic dressing. You are right, it goes with absolutely everything.
★★★★★
Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen says
April 8, 2014 at 6:23 amCongrats on all the new clients…that’s so awesome!! As is a simple arugula salad! I can’t even tell you how many nights this is our go-to side dish.
cheri says
April 8, 2014 at 6:56 amHi Natalie, good for you 11 gigs so far and no advertising, somebody must be doing something right. I love this dressing. I make one similar the only difference is that in mine I use white balsamic vinegar and dried mustard.
Kathi @ Deliciously Yum! says
April 8, 2014 at 7:19 amLove this simple salad, Natalie! Not only does it make for a perfect side dish, but I am totally with you – I’d pile this on top of pizza or burgers all day long. And it doesn’t get much better than Balsamic Vinegar – one of my favorites :).
Wow, you will have a super busy summer. I can’t think of anything more romantic than working with my hubby shooting weddings all summer long. So fun!!
Pam says
April 8, 2014 at 8:45 amSimple, healthy, and delicious!
ashley - Baker by Nature says
April 8, 2014 at 8:47 amCongrats in your booming biz ;) And I looooove simple salads like this! I want it for lunch!
Leah | So, How's It Taste? says
April 8, 2014 at 8:50 amYay! So happy your wedding filming is taking off! Nothing beats word of mouth. I love how simple this salad is and homemade dressing is so good & easy!
whatjessicabakednext says
April 8, 2014 at 9:17 amSimple vinaigrettes are my favourite- love the balsamic with the peppery rocket!
Kelly - LEFT SIDE OF TABLE says
April 8, 2014 at 10:15 amTotally can see this on my plate next to a grilled chicken breast or steak. SUCH a perfect side for that! Arugula has so much flavor it doesn’t even need anything besides a wonderful homemade dressing. Thanks for sharing, Natalie :)
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
April 8, 2014 at 1:24 pmThat sounds like so fun much, Natalie, filming together with your beloved … what a fun job! And then you have this other fun job, too! Life can’t be bad! ;-)
Love the vinaigrette on this salad … so simple and yet super tasty, I bet!
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods says
April 8, 2014 at 3:59 pmCongratulations Natalie!! That has got to feel great to have so many jobs without having to advertise. :D
I love arugula and this would be perfect for a busy night or a light lunch. I can’t wait to try your balsamic vinaigrette.
Daniela says
April 8, 2014 at 4:58 pmCongrats Natalie on all the new clients! Sounds like you are going to have a very busy and successful summer season.
I love arugula it’s so crunchy and full of flavor. Together with your dressing just irresisible.
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
April 8, 2014 at 8:20 pm11 bookings? Congrats guys! This looks like the perfect side salad – simple to prepare, but still pumped up on fresh flavor. Love that I usually have all of these ingredients in the house, too.
Ashley says
April 8, 2014 at 8:48 pmI always struggle to make a great salad dressing. For some reason, mine never seems to come out right. I can’t wait to try yours!
Jessica @ Jessiker Bakes says
April 9, 2014 at 12:17 amThat’s amazing that you’re booked for so many weddings! It must be exciting. I LOVE the vinaigrette you used on this salad mainly because it’s simple and I know the flavours will shine through. Here’s to delicious salads!
Kelly @ The Pretty Bee: Cooking + Creating says
April 9, 2014 at 5:39 amThis looks so fresh and green! Yum. I love simple salads. And it is so wonderful to be able to work with your husband! Have fun! I love it when Darryl and I get to do gigs together. It doesn’t seem like work at all!
Ashley @ My Midwest Table says
April 9, 2014 at 7:27 amThis salad looks so good! I love dressings that are simple and don’t require off-the-wall ingredients. I bet this is fantastic on top of pizza!
That is wonderful news about all of the bookings! It’s amazing how quickly word of mouth travels, isn’t it? I think I would be most excited about trying 11 different kinds of wedding cake. :)
Justine@CookingandBeer says
April 9, 2014 at 8:29 amI agree that sometimes simple is the way to go! I also love that the dressing only requires 5 ingredients! Bonus! I’m thinking a large batch is in order. Totally pinned!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
April 9, 2014 at 8:53 amCouldn’t agree more that busy times call for easy salads like this! What an exciting time for you, Natalie! Thanks for sharing this quick and easy side. I love that balsamic vinaigrette!
Renee@Two in the Kitchen says
April 9, 2014 at 9:52 amThis looks great Natalie! I am all about a simple salad at this time of year!!
alicia says
April 9, 2014 at 11:03 amNatalie, just wanted to say I ADORE your blog. You are doing a beautiful job!
Natalie says
April 9, 2014 at 11:37 amThanks Alicia! You’re so sweet! Just put a big smile on my face this Wednesday afternoon : )
Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg says
April 9, 2014 at 1:36 pmCongratulations on all those wedding video jobs! I photographed a few weddings and loved doing it. I prefer to do portraiture though.
This salad looks amazing. I love aurugla so this salad is for me.
Monica says
April 9, 2014 at 5:23 pmThis comes at a perfect time for me. I’m having family over for dinner Saturday and wanted to do a balsamic dressing for the salad – I knew I wanted to have some dijon in there. This sounds great!
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
April 11, 2014 at 4:19 amCongrats on all those gigs!! That’s great! Now you just need to cram all your summer partying into those few open weekends you have left!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
April 11, 2014 at 1:32 pmLove this arugula salad! In the winter my garden is bursting with arugula and my favorite way to enjoy it is with a simple salad. Congrats on all of your clients! Sounds like fun!
Kelly says
April 16, 2014 at 7:28 amYay, that’s fantastic Natalie, congrats on all the gigs booked – so happy for you guys :) I love arugula and this salad is totally calling my name especially with that awesome vinaigrette!
kmarie says
May 17, 2015 at 12:37 pmThanks for posting this delicious recipe! I just made it for lunch with some tuna and I left out the salt because I have high blood pressure and it was still amazing. I am a working mom and so this is the perfect salad that is super easy to throw together in the morning for lunch later on.
★★★★★
Natalie says
May 18, 2015 at 10:28 amI am so happy to hear that! It is one of my favorite go to quick salads. I just planted a *ton* of arugula in my garden, it’s almost ready to start harvesting. I love that you added tuna too! I need to try that!
Melissa B says
April 20, 2016 at 3:30 pmI found this by searching for arugula salads, since I had a ton of arugula to use up and I’m so glad I did! I love the peppery flavour of arugula and the dressing is killer! I’m pretty sure it will be my new go to! Thanks!
Natalie says
May 5, 2016 at 8:07 pmI’m so glad you liked it Melissa! We grew a ton of arugula in our garden, and I should be able to start picking the leaves in another few weeks. My favorite! I make this salad constantly all summer long. Glad you love it! Thanks for taking the time to let me know, you made my day!
Cha says
January 18, 2019 at 3:20 amPerfect pairing with arugula! Thanks for sharing.
★★★★★
Natalie says
January 26, 2019 at 6:41 amThanks Cha! Such a great combo. Thanks for letting me know!
Malarie Knox says
June 3, 2019 at 7:15 pmSimple and yum. The perfect quick salad to make with just arugula and items we already had in the pantry. Added some sliced pears for something extra. Thanks
★★★★★
Natalie says
June 10, 2019 at 6:36 amI’m so glad you liked it! Thanks Malarie!