Arugula and Strawberry Salad Recipe
Hello friends! Even though the past week hasn’t felt very much like spring in Chicago, the strawberries sure TASTE like spring!!! If we’re being honest, they’re always delicious… but there’s nothing quite like super sweet strawberries when they’re in season. So instead of just adding them to oatmeal or eating them on their own, I thought I would use them to recreate a salad I had a while back that I think about every spring. It had arugula, nuts, and farro with some sort of basil vinaigrette – and honestly, I think I came pretty close to the original with this Arugula and Strawberry Salad Recipe!
Arugula and Strawberry Salad Recipe
Ingredients
1 cup strawberries
4-5 cups arugula
1 cup cooked farro
1/4 cup pistachios
1/3 cup fresh basil
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 tbsp roughly chopped shallot
1/3 amount olive oil
1 tbsp honey
Salt and pepper
Instructions
1. Cook the farro according to the instructions on the package. When it’s done cooking, transfer to a bowl and put in the fridge to cool off.
2. Wash the strawberries and thinly slice them. Set aside.
3. Add fresh basil, red wine vinegar, olive oil, shallot, and honey to a food processor. Season with salt and pepper. Pulse until everything is incorporated. (You can also mince the basil and shallot by hand and whisk everything together, but a food processor/blender is much easier!)
4. Combine arugula, strawberries, pistachios, and farro in a big bowl.
5. Add half of the dressing to the bowl and toss to combine. Add a little bit more at a time until it is dressed to your liking.
6. Enjoy!
Other Variations for this Strawberry Salad
Nuts
We had pistachios on hand, but you could use any type of nut in this salad! I love adding chopped walnuts to salads, but you could also add slivered almonds, pecans, or pumpkin seeds.
Greens
We are BIG arugula fans in this household, and I think the sweetness of the strawberries are so good with the peppery flavor of arugula. That being said, if you’re not a fan, you could also use spinach, mixed greens, or even kale.
Berries
While I wouldn’t take the strawberries away, you could add even more berries to this salad! I think a combination of blueberries and strawberries would be delicious.
Change the grain
Don’t like farro or can’t find it in store? Don’t worry! You can use quinoa, brown rice, wild rice, or even just leave a grain out entirely. I like having the farro in there because it makes the salad more filling and it adds a nice chewy texture to the mix.
Add Cheese
I kept this salad vegan but if you like cheese, go for it! I would also suggest something like feta or crumbled goat cheese.
Arugula and Strawberry Salad Recipe
This bright and refreshing salad is perfect for spring lunches or as a side dish!
Ingredients
- 1 cup strawberries
- 4-5 cups arugula
- 1 cup cooked farro
- 1/4 cup pistachios
- 1/3 cup fresh basil
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/3 amount olive oil
- 2 tbsp roughly chopped shallot
- 1 tbsp honey
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
1. Cook the farro according to the instructions on the package. When it's done cooking, transfer to a bowl and put in the fridge to cool off.
2. Wash the strawberries and thinly slice them. Set aside.
3. Add fresh basil, red wine vinegar, olive oil, shallot, and honey to a food processor. Season with salt and pepper. Pulse until everything is incorporated. (You can also mince the basil and shallot by hand and whisk everything together, but a food processor/blender is much easier!)
4. Combine arugula, strawberries, pistachios, and farro in a big bowl.
5. Add half of the dressing to the bowl and toss to combine. Add a little bit more at a time until it is dressed to your liking.
6. Enjoy!
Notes
If you aren't eating this all at once, only put dressing on the portion you are going to eat and save the rest for later. This will keep the greens from getting soggy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 3 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 263Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 182mgCarbohydrates: 43gFiber: 8gSugar: 15gProtein: 11g
PS. You might also like my Zucchini Noodle Salad, Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl Knockoff, and Beet And Goat Cheese Salad.
