Arugula Quinoa Salad

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Bright and lemony. Filling yet light. Arugula Quinoa Salad tastes great as an entree, side, or packed into tupperware for easy lunches all week long.

Whenever I’m invited to a potluck, I like to bring salad. People tend to bring meat and carbs but salads are the forgotten crowd-pleasers. Bright, crunchy, and full of texture and flavor. When done correctly, salads are amazingly good. They can steal the show and feed a crowd. I rarely go home with leftovers.

This is my favorite salad of the moment. Peppery arugula. Protein-packed quinoa. Crunchy almonds. Salty feta. Sweet golden raisins. And a punchy lemon dressing that tastes like spring.

Ingredients:

There’s an art to making good, home-cooked food. For salad, the secret is lots of add-ins and homemade dressing.

Add-ins bring variety and flavor. You need elements that are salty, sweet, crunchy, and herby. A good rule of thumb: always add more than you think. Instead of a handful of chopped nuts, add two. Don’t sprinkle a little bit of herbs, add a hefty dose. Every bite should contain some of each element.

This particular salad also contains a hefty amount of quinoa. There’s just something about that textural, toothsome bite!

ingredients for arugula quinoa salad in separate bowls

Also, homemade dressing is easier than you think. Add everything to an old jam jar and shake until emulsified. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. You’ll never go back to bottled dressing again.

Make this Arugula Quinoa Salad and bring flourishing to your community. Healthy, bright, and fresh. Protein-packed and nutrient dense. Deliciously tasty and crunchy. Enjoy!

PIN FOR LATER:

small bowl of arugula quinoa salad
close up of arugula quinoa salad in bowl with fork
Print Recipe

Arugula Quinoa Salad

Peppery arugula. Protein-packed quinoa. Crunchy almonds. Salty feta. Sweet golden raisins. And a punchy lemon dressing that tastes like spring.
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Quinoa cooling time15 mins
Total Time25 mins
Course: Salad, Side, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Arugula, Quinoa, Salad
Author: The Subversive Table

Ingredients

  • 1 142g/5oz box arugula
  • 1 cup quinoa uncooked
  • 1/2 cup almonds roasted and chopped
  • 1/2 cup feta crumbled
  • 1/2 cup golden raisins
  • 1/4 cup dill chopped

Lemon Vinaigrette

  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice preferably fresh
  • 4 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp honey (or maple syrup or agave syrup)
  • 1/4 tsp salt and pepper or to taste
  • 1 clove garlic minced (optional)

Instructions

  • Cook quinoa according to package directions.  Cool completely by spreading out on a large shallow bowl.  
  • Add Lemon Vinaigrette ingredients in jam jar and shake to emulsify.  Set aside.  
    lemon vinaigrette in jam jar on cutting board
  • In a large salad bowl, add arugula, (cooled) quinoa, almonds, golden raisins, dill, and half of the feta cheese.  Add Lemon Vinaigrette and mix thoroughly.  Add remaining feta on top and serve immediately.  

Notes

*The garlic is optional as some may find the raw garlic overpowering. I think it’s delicious but then, I also love kimchi and happily eat raw garlic with Korean bbq.

More Salad/Grain Bowl Inspiration!

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Asian Rice Bowls
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Lime Cilantro Slaw
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30 minutes, All Recipes, Dinner with Friends, Potluck, Salad, Side, Weeknight Meals

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