Description
This Arugula Salad with Grapes and Black Pepper Vinaigrette is a refreshing and flavorful salad that’s perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish. The peppery arugula, sweet grapes, nutty farro, and tangy pickled onions come together beautifully with the zesty vinaigrette. It’s a great balance of flavors and textures that will leave you satisfied and wanting more.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Salad:
- 3 cups baby arugula
- 1 1/2 cups red seedless grapes, halved
- 2 cups cooked farro (or quinoa for gluten-free option)
- 1/2 cup pickled red onions (optional, but recommended)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup chopped cashews or almonds
For the Black Pepper Vinaigrette:
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 2/3 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 clove garlic, smashed or minced
For Quick Pickled Red Onions (Optional):
- 3/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup champagne vinegar
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Pickle the onions (if using): In a jar or bowl, combine vinegars, water, sugar, and salt. Stir until dissolved. Add thinly sliced onions and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to a few days.
- Make the vinaigrette: Whisk together the red wine vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt, black pepper, and garlic in a small bowl or shake in a sealed jar. Set aside.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the arugula, grapes, cooked farro, pickled onions (to taste), basil, and cashews.
- Drizzle with the black pepper vinaigrette and toss gently to combine. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
- For extra crunch, toast the nuts before adding.
- You can make the vinaigrette and pickled onions in advance and store in the fridge.
- Add crumbled goat cheese or feta for a creamy, tangy twist.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/5 of recipe
- Calories: ~280
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
