This fresh salad is one of my year-round favorites, and once you try it, you’ll understand why. Packed with crisp ingredients and topped with bacon vinaigrette, nuts, and cheese, it strikes the perfect balance of fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. Trust me on this one… add some cheese, nuts, and a bacon vinaigrette and you’re set for lunch.

I have loved arugula for a long time. I enjoy adding it to pastas, but it is great as a salad base as well. It has a peppery flavor to it that gives it added spice and texture. It is fairly small in size so no need to chop it smaller to make it bite-sized. Make sure to get all the ingredients in one bite for the full flavor. This salad is healthy but the bacon vinaigrette gives it that extra something without feeling totally guilty about what you are eating.

Plus, it has a beautiful green color that just screams FRESH! This salad is perfect for bring to gatherings with friends or family. I know it will become a recipe staple of yours. Have I convinced you yet? Let’s get started with the recipe down below.

Arugula Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette

(SCROLL DOWN TO PRINT RECIPE for Arugula Salad)

This recipe yields 2 servings

Ingredients:

3 cups arugula
1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
1/4 cup cheese – feta, blue, or gorgonzola
1/4 cup nuts – pecans, walnuts, almonds, or pine nuts
2 T. olive oil
1 T. balsamic vinegar

Method:

First, mix your cooked and crumbled bacon with the oil and balsamic vinegar. Then stir it all together to mix.

Then, pour your bacon dressing over your arugula and add your cheese and nuts. Just thinking about this salad is making my mouth water!

Doesn’t it turn out beautiful? I love the colors of this salad. It is ready to eat. Lunch or dinner (or an afternoon snack) is served!

Print

Arugula Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 3 cups arugula
• 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
• 1/4 cup cheese – feta blue, or gorgonzola
• 1/4 cup nuts – pecans walnuts, almonds, or pine nuts
• 2 T. olive oil
• 1 T. balsamic vinegar

Instructions

1. First, mix your cooked and crumbled bacon with the oil and balsamic vinegar. Then stir it all together to mix.
2. Then, pour your bacon dressing over your arugula and add your cheese and nuts. Just thinking about this salad is making my mouth water!
3. Doesn’t it turn out beautiful? I love the colors of this salad. It is ready to eat. Lunch or dinner (or an afternoon snack) is served!

You could eat this salad as your main dish and maybe add some chicken to it. It would also pair so well with one of these dinner dishes:

Slow-Cooker Lasagna

Turkey Sausage Stir Fry

Veggie Pizza Panini

I hope you enjoy this arugula salad with bacon vinaigrette as much as I do.

*Originally posted 2/18/15