Dive into a vibrant fusion of flavors with our spinach and arugula salad with Blueberries! It's a visual and taste symphony, blending peppery arugula, sweet spinach, and juicy blueberries. Drizzled with a zesty vinaigrette, this salad is not just a feast for the eyes but a powerhouse of nutrition and antioxidants.
This salad recipe truly stands out as a winner, thanks to its seamless blend of fresh ingredients, each carrying a healthful punch. The combination of peppery arugula and sweet spinach makes for a vibrant salad base that's packed with essential vitamins and minerals.
Despite its impressive nutritional profile, this delicious salad remains accessible and quick to prepare - a perfect candidate for a light lunch or a side to your main course. The tangy balsamic blueberry vinaigrette dressing made with maple syrup and lemon juice is a cinch to whip up and adds a burst of flavor that ties the whole dish together.
This salad lets its ingredients' freshness shine without demanding hours spent in the kitchen.
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💚 Why you will love it
- Nutrient-rich: Packed with vitamins and minerals.
- Antioxidant Boost: Thanks to blueberries.
- Quick & Easy: Simple, speedy preparation.
- Flavorful Balance: Peppery arugula meets sweet spinach.
- Versatile Dressing: Optional blueberry vinaigrette.
🧾 Ingredients
This spinach arugula salad is made with just a few delicious ingredients:
- Fresh Baby Spinach leaves: This leafy green adds a soft, mildly sweet flavor to our salad and is also a fantastic source of iron and calcium, essential for healthy bones and blood. Spinach and blueberries go well even in smoothies!
- Arugula: Known for its distinctive, peppery kick, arugula contributes an exciting depth of flavor to the salad while also supplying a substantial amount of Vitamin K.
- Cherry Tomatoes: These small, flavorful tomatoes add a bright pop of color and sweetness to the salad while also being rich in antioxidants, especially lycopene.
- Cucumber: Cucumber provides a refreshing, crisp contrast to the other ingredients and is a great source of hydration due to its high water content.
- Blueberries: Aside from adding a sweet and tangy punch, blueberries are packed with antioxidants, enhancing the nutritional profile of this salad.
- Cooked Corn Cob: Apart from lending a sweet, earthy flavor, corn cobs are a good source of carbohydrates, making the salad more satiating.
- Sliced Almonds: The addition of sliced almonds provides a satisfying crunch and introduces heart-healthy fats, making this salad even more nutritious.
- Optional Blueberry Vinaigrette: This dressing, while optional, adds an extra layer of tangy sweetness that complements the salad's flavors perfectly, and its blueberries carry the same antioxidant benefits as those in the salad.
Substitutions
- Baby Spinach: You could opt for romaine lettuce, fresh basil, or kale as an alternative, both providing a slightly stronger, peppery flavor. However, they both maintain the leafy green benefits.
- Almonds: sunflower seeds, walnuts, or pecans could be used as a substitute. While both provide a crunchy texture, walnuts offer a sweet, earthy, subtle flavor, and pecans provide a rich buttery taste.
- Blueberries: Dried fruit, raspberries, cherries, or goji berries would make a good substitute. Both provide a slightly different tartness but are equally antioxidant-rich.
- Corn cob ribs: Substitute with canned sweet corn or chickpeas.
- Cucumber: Raw zucchini has a mild flavor and crunch similar to cucumber, making it a good alternative. It's also similarly hydrating, though it may have a slightly softer texture.
- Blueberry Vinaigrette: apple cider vinaigrette, strawberry balsamic dressing, or raspberry vinaigrette are great alternatives. While it maintains the tanginess, it infuses the salad with a distinctive apple undertone, adding a unique twist to your dish.
🍽 Equipment
- A blender or food processor is essential for crafting your dressing.
- Large Bowl
🔪 Instructions
This salad with spinach and arugula involves very simple steps.
Step 1: Get your toasted almonds going. Toss them gently into a skillet and toast on medium heat for a few minutes until golden brown.
Step 2: Optionally make our Oil-free Blueberry vinaigrette to top your salad.
Step 3: Assemble the entire salad in a large bowl. First, add fresh spinach, then greens, and top with halved cherry tomatoes, corn ribs, sliced cucumbers, fresh blueberries, and the blueberry dressing.
Step 4: Gently toss spinach arugula salad with our suggested blueberry dressing made in less than 5 minutes, or pour dressing with extra virgin olive oil, lemon zest, lime juice, and balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
Serve immediately!
💡 Expert tip
The secret to nailing this salad every time lies in perfecting the vinaigrette. Start with a 3:1 ratio of oil to vinegar, then adjust to your taste. Remember, the sweetness of the blueberries in the dressing should complement, not overpower, the peppery arugula and mild spinach. Taste as you go and tweak the balance until it sings harmony with your greens. This way, you'll achieve the perfect blend of flavors every single time!
📖 Variations
Vegan Feta Twist: Crumble some vegan feta cheese over the top of your salad. This will lend a creamy, tangy element that perfectly complements the sweetness of the apples and cranberries.
Bold and Blue Variation: Try sprinkling vegan blue cheese crumbles on top for a robust, punchy flavor. The unique tang of blue cheese adds an interesting layer to the salad's taste profile.
Apple and Red Onion Variation: Add thin apple slices to bring a sweet crunch to the salad. The apples pair well with thin slices of red onion, which provide a pungent contrast to the sweetness of the apples and blueberries. The red onions can either be added raw for a stronger flavor or lightly sautéed for a mellower taste.
Avocado and Vegan Parmesan Cheese Variation: Introduce creamy avocado slices of ripe avocado to your salad for a richer mouthfeel and added healthy fats. Sprinkle vegan parmesan cheese over the top for a dairy-free, savory flavor boost that beautifully complements the creaminess of the avocado.
Pumpkin Seed and Pomegranate Variation: Sprinkle roasted pumpkin seeds onto the salad for an added crunch and a boost of plant-based protein. Add pomegranate seeds for a splash of color and a tart, juicy pop. They'll make the salad even more visually appealing and increase the antioxidant content.
Add Protein: You can increase the protein content of the salad by making a butterbean and arugula salad, which is a complete meal.
🥢 How to serve
As a Light Lunch: Serve this salad as a standalone dish for a refreshing and satisfying midday meal. The combination of nutrient-rich spinach, arugula, and blueberries makes it a complete, light, yet fulfilling option, especially when you're looking for something quick and healthy.
Alongside Grilled Dishes: Pair this salad with grilled vegan proteins like tofu or tempeh. The smoky flavors from the grill complement the fresh, zesty notes of the salad, making it a perfect side for summer barbecues or cozy indoor grilling sessions.
In a Wrap: Get creative and tuck this salad into a whole-grain or gluten-free wrap. Add a Lebanese hummus spread or a drizzle of the blueberry vinaigrette for extra flavor. This turns the salad into a portable, convenient meal, ideal for on-the-go lunches or a quick, easy dinner.
❓ FAQ
Arugula, known for its unique, peppery flavor, matches well with a range of vegan-friendly ingredients. Here are some suggestions:
Citrus Fruits: The tang of citrus fruits like lemon or grapefruit beautifully contrasts the peppery taste of arugula.
Vegan Cheese: Nut-based cheeses or nutritional yeast can balance out arugula's strong flavor, adding a creamy element to your salad or dish.
Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, or sunflower seeds can introduce a delightful crunch and complementary flavors.
Grains: Quinoa, farro, or couscous can add substance to your arugula salad, making it a more filling meal.
Other Vegetables and Fruits: Tomatoes, cucumbers, beets, pears, and apples are just a few options that can provide sweet or refreshing counterpoints to arugula's peppery notes.
Plant-Based Proteins: Tofu, beans, or lentils can make the salad more satiating, and their relatively mild flavors can balance arugula's spiciness.
Dressings: A tangy vinaigrette or a creamy vegan dressing, like a tahini-based one, can pair well with arugula.
Herbs and Spices: Fresh basil, mint, or dill, as well as spices like cumin and coriander, can complement and elevate the flavor profile of an arugula-based dish.
🥡 Storage
To maintain the freshness and quality of your salad, it's recommended to store leftover salad components separately:
- Salad Greens and Vegetables: After washing and drying, store the spinach, spring greens, and grated carrots in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. They should keep well for 2-3 days.
- Fruits and Nuts: Keep the blueberries and almonds in a separate container, while the almonds can be stored at room temperature in a cool, dry place.
- Dressing: The blueberry vinaigrette can be stored in a glass jar or bottle refrigerator for up to a week. Remember to give it a good shake before using it.
When you're ready to enjoy the arugula salad again, assemble the components and dress it fresh.
📚 More salad recipes
- Crispy Chickpeas and Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing: Embark on a culinary adventure with this delicious medley of crunchy chickpeas and delicate kale leaves. Bound by a velvety tahini dressing, this salad promises a satiating, nutrition-packed experience.
- Chickpea Cucumber Salad: Revel in this invigorating salad, perfect for balmy summer days. The crunch of fresh cucumbers marries seamlessly with the substantial chickpeas, culminating in a dish that's both thirst-quenching and fulfilling.
- Quinoa Edamame Salad: If you're in search of a salad bursting with plant-based protein, you've found your match! This quinoa and edamame salad is a nutritional titan, offering an ideal balance of protein, fiber, and vital nutrients.
- Vegan Kale Salad with Maple Balsamic Dressing: Relish the harmonious blend of sweet maple and sharp balsamic atop a heap of nutrient-dense kale. This salad not only satiates your taste buds but also nourishes your body with beneficial greens.
If you love salad vinaigrettes, don't forget all the tips to make the perfect vinaigrette!
Also, if you like salads with a touch of sweetness, you should definitely try this blackberry peach salad!
⭐ If you try this salad, let us know! 💬 Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag us @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!
🎥 Video
📋 Recipe
Spinach and Arugula Salad
Ingredients
- 5 ounces baby spinach
- 2.5 ounces arugula
- 10 cherry tomatoes
- 1.5 ounces cucumber
- 1 cob corn ribs cut
- 3 ounces blueberries
- 2 ounces almonds
Optional
- 8 tablespoons blueberry vinaigrette
Directions
- Blend. Add the balsamic glaze, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper in a blender or food processor and blend until well combined and smooth.
- Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Refrigerate. Pour the dressing into a jar or container with a lid and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Shake. Give the dressing a good shake before using it to ensure all ingredients are well combined.
- Enjoy your delicious homemade strawberry balsamic dressing on your favorite salads or as a marinade for grilled tofu or vegetables.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Nutritional Disclaimer
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our full Nutritional Disclosure here.
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Please note that some of the links here are affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I recommend all of the products listed because they are companies I have found helpful and trustworthy.
As the lead content writer and recipe developer at Our Plant-Based World, he combines his passion for health and sustainability with a Plant-Based Nutrition Certification to create accessible, delicious vegan recipes. His expertise in plant-based cooking supports the blog's mission of fostering a healthier, environmentally conscious lifestyle through simple and seasonal dishes. His commitment to making vegan cooking enjoyable and inclusive for everyone shines in each recipe and article.
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