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If you’re looking for a fresh, vibrant salad that tastes like spring in a bowl, this Arugula Salad with Mint Chia Dressing is one you’ll want to make again and again. It’s packed with peppery baby arugula, crunchy vegetables, creamy avocado, and toasted nuts, all tossed in a bright homemade mint vinaigrette thickened naturally with chia seeds.
This gluten-free, dairy-free, and naturally vegetarian salad comes together in about 20 minutes, making it perfect for everything from weeknight dinners to holiday gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Salad
This fresh salad is one you’ll come back to all season long.
- Fresh, bright, and packed with flavor
- Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free
- Loaded with healthy fats and fiber
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Great as a side dish or light meal
- Easy to customize with your favorite vegetables, fruit, or protein
- Perfect for spring, summer, Easter, Mother’s Day, or backyard dinners
- Made with a homemade dressing you’ll want to drizzle on everything
To be honest, the dressing is what truly makes this salad special. Fresh mint, lemon juice, olive oil, and a touch of honey create a light, herbaceous vinaigrette that’s equal parts refreshing and flavorful. As the chia seeds sit, they gently thicken the dressing while adding extra fiber, omega-3s, and nutrients.
Whether you’re serving this salad alongside grilled chicken, salmon, burgers, or enjoying it as a standalone light lunch, it’s an easy recipe that’s full of wholesome ingredients and beautiful seasonal flavor.
Ingredients Needed
This simple arugula salad comes together with just a handful of fresh ingredients and a bright, homemade mint chia dressing. *Scroll down to the recipe card for a full list of ingredients.
For the Mint Chia Dressing
- Honey: Adds the right amount of natural sweetness.
- Yellow onion: Diced onion gives the dressing subtle savory depth.
- Dijon mustard: Adds tanginess and helps emulsify the dressing for a smooth, creamy texture.
- Fresh lemon juice: Brightens the dressing with fresh citrus flavor.
- Chia seeds: Naturally thicken the dressing while adding fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Fresh mint: Gives the dressing its refreshing, herbaceous flavor.
- Fine sea salt and black pepper: Enhance all of the fresh flavors.
- Extra-virgin olive oil: Creates a rich, silky vinaigrette and brings everything together.
For the Salad
- Baby arugula: Tender greens that have a hint of pepper serve as the perfect base for this fresh salad.
- Slivered almonds: Add a delicious crunch and subtle nutty flavor. Toast them for even more flavor!
- Oranges: Sweet, juicy orange segments balance the peppery arugula and complement the bright mint dressing beautifully.
How to Make This Arugula Salad
This salad comes together in just a few simple steps. The dressing can even be made ahead of time, making it an easy side dish for busy weeknights or entertaining.
- Make the Dressing: Add the honey, diced onion, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, chia seeds, mint, sea salt, and black pepper to a blender or food processor. Blend until the onion and mint are finely chopped. With the blender running, slowly stream in the olive oil until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
- Let the Dressing Rest: The chia seeds need about 10 to 15 minutes to thicken slightly. Taste and adjust with additional lemon juice, mint, salt, or pepper as needed.
- Assemble the Salad: Add the arugula to a large salad bowl. Top with the oranges and slivered almonds.
- Dress and Serve: Drizzle the desired amount of dressing over the salad just before serving and gently toss until everything is evenly coated. Serve immediately for the freshest texture.
Tips for the Best Arugula Salad
- Toast the almonds. Toasting the slivered almonds for just a few minutes in a dry skillet brings out their nutty flavor and adds extra crunch.
- Use fresh citrus. Freshly squeezed lemon juice and freshly segmented oranges provide the brightest flavor.
- Dress right before serving. Arugula is delicate and can wilt quickly, so wait until you’re ready to eat before adding the dressing.
- Let the dressing rest. Giving the dressing a few minutes to sit allows the chia seeds to thicken naturally and the flavors to meld together.
What to Serve with This Salad
This salad pairs well with so many summer meals, making it an easy addition to both weeknight dinners and special occasions.
We recommend you serve it alongside some of our favorites:
- Perfect Grilled Chicken Breasts or My Family’s Favorite Grilled Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Salmon
- Air Fryer Steak
- Amazing Chicken Burgers or Smash Burgers or other burger variations
- Quick and easy Shrimp or Shrimp Skewers
It’s also wonderful served as part of a summer holiday spread or barbecue.
Storage Instructions
This salad is best enjoyed fresh, but a few components can be prepared ahead to make assembly even easier.
- Salad: Once dressed, the arugula will begin to wilt, so it’s best to dress only what you plan to eat. Store any leftover undressed salad ingredients in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Mint Chia Dressing: Store the dressing in a sealed jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Give it a good shake or whisk before serving, as it will naturally thicken as the chia seeds absorb liquid.
- Make Ahead Tip: Prepare the dressing, segment the oranges, and toast the almonds up to a day in advance. Assemble the salad just before serving for the freshest flavor and texture.
FAQ’s
Yes! The dressing can be made several days in advance, and the oranges can be segmented ahead of time. For the best texture, wait to assemble and dress the salad until just before serving.
Yes. Simply swap the honey for maple syrup to make the dressing completely vegan.
The chia seeds naturally thicken the vinaigrette while adding fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and a subtle texture. They also help the dressing cling beautifully to the greens.
This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, salmon, shrimp, steak, or even chickpeas for a vegetarian option. It’s versatile enough to serve as a side dish or turn into a satisfying main course.
Fresh lemon juice is highly recommended for the brightest, freshest flavor. Bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch, but it won’t have quite the same vibrant taste.
More recipes you’ll love
If you’re looking for more wholesome salads packed with fresh ingredients, try these favorites next:
Arugula Salad with Mint Chia Dressing
Ingredients
Mint Chia Dressing:
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 1/4 cup dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice add more as necessary
- 2 teaspoon chia seeds
- 2 teaspoons mint more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper more to taste
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Everything Else:
- 6 cups arugula
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- 2 oranges segmented
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into your high-speed blender and pulse for 5 seconds.
- Slowly pour in olive oil while blending until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble salad and serve!
Notes
Nutrition
This is not a sponsored post. We did receive some complimentary meals and a few complimentary nights throughout our stay. All opinions are 100% always my own!
