Arugula Herb Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette with quinoa and chickpeas

Arugula and Herb Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Whether it’s the warmer weather or the abundance of fresh produce, everyone can agree that salads are for summer. This Arugula and Herb Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette is the refreshing lunch you’ll crave all spring and summer. Arugula, mint, dill, quinoa, and chickpeas are the base for this highly nutritious salad, topped with a zesty dressing.

I hardly ever crave salads, but when I do, it’s almost always summertime. Sometimes something light and refreshing, but still filling, sounds the most satisfying. 

 

For a salad to be more than just a side or an appetizer to the main course, it has to have your macros. Meaning, it has to have a good balance of carbs, fat, and protein. 

 

Non-vegans have it easy – throw some chicken on a salad and call it a meal! Vegan or plant-based individuals have to add a little more to salads to make them more filling. And if you’re not a fan of mock-meats, which are highly processed foods, then that’s an even greater challenge.

 

This Arugula and Herb Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette is both refreshing and filling. The zingy arugula and fresh mint and dill are filled out by high-protein quinoa and chickpeas. All together, this salad makes for the perfect, nutritious lunch. Best of all – it’s whole food, plant-based!

Arugula Herb Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette with quinoa and chickpeas

How to make Arugula and Herb Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

To make the base of the salad, you’ll need:

  • 3 cups arugula
  • ½ cup dill loosely packed 
  • ½ cup mint loosely packed
  • 1 cup quinoa cooked
  • 1 cup chickpeas cooked
  • ½ small avocado sliced

For an easy lemon vinaigrette, you’ll need:

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ⅛ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • ½ tsp garlic minced
  • ½ tsp salt and pepper
  • 1 large lemon juiced
  • Zest of one lemon 

 

First, make the lemon vinaigrette dressing by combining all the ingredients in a mason jar and shaking vigorously to emulsify. Store in the fridge until ready to use. 

 

Then, in a large bowl, combine the dill, mint, cooked quinoa, and chickpeas. Pour about half of the lemon vinaigrette into the bowl and use a spoon to toss and coat the ingredients.

 

In order to keep the arugula nice and crips, add the arugula to the bowl last and toss to combine with the rest of the ingredients. 

 

Top off with slices of avocado and serve with a side of the remaining dressing.  

How long does it keep?

The salad stays fresh for up to a day, so save one serving for tomorrow by storing it in a container in the fridge. 

 

The lemon vinaigrette will stay good in a mason jar in the fridge for 3-4 days. 

What to make next?

Arugula Herb Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette with quinoa and chickpeas

Arugula and Herb Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Arugula, mint, dill, quinoa, and chickpeas are the base for this highly nutritious salad, topped with a zesty dressing.
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Servings 2 servings

Ingredients
  

Salad Base

  • 3 cups arugula
  • ½ cup dill loosely packed
  • ½ cup mint loosely packed
  • 1 cup quinoa cooked
  • 1 cup chickpeas cooked
  • ½ small avocado sliced

Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing

  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ tsp garlic minced
  • ½ tsp salt and pepper
  • cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 large lemon juiced
  • Zest of one lemon

Instructions
 

  • First, make the lemon vinaigrette dressing by combining all the ingredients in a mason jar and shaking vigorously to emulsify.
  • In a large bowl, combine the dill, mint, cooked quinoa, and chickpeas. Pour about half of the lemon vinaigrette in the bowl and use a spoon to toss and coat the ingredients. Add the arugula last and toss to combine to keep the arugula from wilting too quickly.
  • Top off with slices of avocado and serve with a side of the remaining dressing. 

Notes

How long does it keep? Save one serving for tomorrow by storing it in a container in the fridge. The salad stays fresh for up to a day. Keep the lemon vinaigrette in a mason jar and it will stay good for 3-4 days in the fridge!
Keyword arugula, chickpeas, herb, high protein, quinoa bowl, salad, summer salad
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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