Arugula Spinach Salad with Simple Lemon Dressing

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There is something so good about a simple green salad when the ingredients are fresh and the dressing is homemade. This Arugula Spinach Salad with Simple Lemon Dressing is one of those salads I can make in just a few minutes and know it is going to go with just about anything.

Peppery arugula and tender baby spinach are tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes, shaved Parmesan, and a bright, zesty lemon dressing. It is fresh, flavorful, and has just the right amount of tang from the lemon.

And the best part? It takes about 10 minutes to make.

This is the kind of salad I love having in my recipe collection. Nothing complicated, no long list of ingredients, and no special cooking skills required. Just good, simple ingredients that come together beautifully.

Why You’ll Love This Arugula Spinach Salad

• It takes just 10 minutes from start to finish.
• The homemade lemon dressing is bright, fresh, and incredibly easy to make.
• Arugula adds a delicious peppery bite while spinach keeps the salad tender.
• Cherry tomatoes add a little sweetness and juicy freshness.
• Parmesan adds just the right amount of savory flavor.
• It works as a simple side salad or can easily be turned into a meal.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Lemon Dressing

Lemon: Fresh lemon juice makes all the difference here. You’ll also use the zest, which gives the dressing even more bright lemon flavor.

Extra virgin olive oil: This forms the base of the dressing and adds a lovely richness.

Whole grain mustard: Just a little mustard adds flavor and helps bring the dressing together.

Honey: A small amount balances the tartness of the lemon.

Salt and black pepper: Simple seasonings that bring everything together.

For the Salad

Arugula: I love the peppery flavor arugula adds to this salad.

Baby spinach: Tender baby spinach balances the stronger flavor of the arugula.

Cherry tomatoes: They add color, sweetness, and a little juicy freshness.

Parmesan: I prefer shaved Parmesan because you get little bites of salty, savory cheese throughout the salad.

How to Make Arugula Spinach Salad

1. Make the lemon dressing

Start by making the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, whole grain mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper.

Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

That’s it! No blender, food processor, or complicated technique required.

2. Prepare the salad

Rinse the arugula and baby spinach and make sure they are dried well. A salad spinner makes this really easy, but you can also gently pat the greens dry with paper towels.

Add the greens to a large salad bowl along with the cherry tomatoes and shaved Parmesan.

3. Toss and serve

Drizzle the lemon dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together until the greens are evenly coated.

I recommend dressing the salad right before serving so the greens stay fresh and crisp.

A Few Tips for the Best Salad

Dry your greens well. This is one of those little things that can make a big difference. If the greens are wet, the dressing won’t cling to them as well and can become watered down.

Use fresh lemon. Since lemon is the star of the dressing, fresh lemon juice really does make a difference. Plus, you get the zest!

Don’t overdress the salad. Start with a little dressing and add more as needed. You can always add more, but you can’t take it away.

Shave your Parmesan. I love the texture of shaved Parmesan in this salad. You get those little salty bites instead of having the cheese disappear into the greens.

Can I Make This Salad Ahead of Time?

Absolutely. If you’re planning ahead, prepare the lemon dressing and salad ingredients separately and refrigerate them until you’re ready to serve.

Keep the dressing in a small airtight container and give it a good shake or whisk before using.

Wait to dress the salad until just before serving. This keeps the arugula and spinach fresh and prevents them from becoming soggy.

Easy Ways to Change It Up

One of the things I love about a simple salad like this is how easy it is to make it your own.

Try adding:

• Sliced avocado
• Cucumber
• Thinly sliced red onion
• Toasted walnuts or almonds
• Pine nuts
• Chickpeas
• Fresh berries
• Grilled chicken
• Grilled shrimp
• Salmon

You could also swap the Parmesan for Pecorino Romano, feta, or shaved Asiago cheese.

And if you’re looking for a little more crunch, toasted nuts are especially good with the lemon dressing.

Turn It Into a Meal

This salad makes a wonderful side dish, but it’s also easy to turn it into a complete meal.

Add some grilled chicken for a simple protein-packed lunch or dinner. Grilled shrimp or salmon would also be delicious.

For a vegetarian option, add chickpeas along with some toasted nuts or seeds.

The lemon dressing works especially well with grilled proteins, so you can use the salad as a starting point for an easy weeknight dinner.

What to Serve with Arugula Spinach Salad

This salad is one of those recipes that can go with almost anything. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, fish, pasta, roasted vegetables, sandwiches, or your favorite soup.

I especially love it when I’m making a dinner that needs something fresh and bright on the side. The lemon dressing cuts through richer dishes beautifully.

More Simple Salad Recipes to Try

If you love easy salads that don’t require a lot of fuss, you might also enjoy:

• Mediterranean Cobb Salad – A hearty salad loaded with fresh Mediterranean-inspired ingredients.
• Grilled Corn and Heirloom Tomato Salad – Perfect when summer produce is at its best.
• Power Greens Salad – A fresh, colorful salad packed with nutritious greens.
• Easy Chickpea and Cucumber Salad – Another simple and delicious salad, ready in about 10 minutes.

Final Thoughts

I think everyone needs a few really good simple salad recipes in their back pocket, and this is definitely one of them.

The combination of peppery arugula, tender spinach, sweet cherry tomatoes, salty Parmesan, and that bright lemon dressing is simple, but it works. Sometimes you really don’t need much more than fresh ingredients and a good homemade dressing.

And when something this delicious comes together in 10 minutes, that’s a recipe worth keeping around!