{"id":47461,"date":"2024-03-18T10:25:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-18T17:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/?p=47461"},"modified":"2026-09-14T05:07:54","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T12:07:54","slug":"arugula-recipes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/blog\/arugula-recipes\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use Arugula: 7 Delicious Recipes for Every Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n Jump to Recipes<\/a>\n <\/div>\n
\nYou wouldn\u2019t expect a vegetable called \u201crocket\u201d to be mild or boring. And arugula \u2014 also known as rucola, roka, roquette, and rocket \u2014 does not disappoint.<\/p>\n

The Roman poet Virgil wrote that the plant could excite amorous desire in \u201cdrowsy people.\u201d And according to some historians, it was forbidden in monastery gardens<\/a> because it could inflame the passions of the monks, challenging their vows of celibacy.<\/p>\n

With that kind of reputation, I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if arugula started to challenge kale as the \u201cit\u201d green of the 21st century.<\/p>\n

Traditionally, recipes with arugula feature prominently in Mediterranean cuisine<\/strong>, using it in both its raw and cooked forms. It\u2019s revered for its unique, peppery flavor, which allows it to pair well with many bitter and savory foods.<\/p>\n

Are you curious to explore this leafy green that tastes zingy and \u201cputs a pep in your step\u201d? It\u2019s definitely worth finding out how to grow it in your garden or choose the best arugula in the supermarket. And you’d do well to know how to store it and use it in recipes, too.<\/p>\n

So here\u2019s a collection of preparation tips and arugula recipes to introduce you to the wonders of this zippy plant, equipping you with a collection of ideas to use it to its full potential.<\/p>\n

Arugula Taste and Nutrition<\/h2>\n
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Arugula, also known as rocket in the UK, is a leafy green, typically used raw in salads. It\u2019s a member of the brassica family (the cruciferous bunch), along with kale, cabbage, broccoli, and many others. (As far as I know, arugula was not the inspiration for Elton John\u2019s hit song \u201cRocket Man.\u201d But the lyrics are pretty ambiguous, so who knows?)<\/p>\n

Arugula tastes bitter with a hint of pepper.<\/strong> And like many other bitter veggies<\/a>, it can provide a number of potent health benefits.<\/p>\n

As with other leafy greens, arugula is high in vitamin K<\/a>. And it\u2019s no slouch in the vitamin C and folate departments, either. It contains an anticancer compound known as isothiocyanate erucin<\/a>, which has a similar chemical structure to the cancer-fighting superstar sulforaphane<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It also encourages your body to form nitric oxide<\/a>, which can dilate blood vessels and combat high blood pressure \u2014 among other things.<\/p>\n

When Is Arugula in Season and Where Can You Buy It?<\/h2>\n

Arugula is a hardy plant and can grow in a variety of soil and weather conditions. Eager to pop out of the ground in the early spring, its seeds can germinate<\/a> in soil temperatures as low as 40\u00b0F\/4\u00b0C.<\/p>\n

Arugula isn\u2019t a huge fan of extremely hot weather, however. If you\u2019re trying to grow it in a zone that experiences brutal summers, you may have to plant it in semi-shade to keep it from wilting or bolting in the heat. In some climates, dropped seeds can overwinter and grow anew in the spring, turning it into something of a perennial crop.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s typically planted in early spring or fall, and arugula is in season<\/a> from late spring to early winter<\/strong>. If you\u2019d like to grow arugula yourself, here\u2019s a handy guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

One of the nice things about growing your own arugula is that you get to harvest<\/a> the leaves when they\u2019re small, tender, and at the peak of their flavor. While I respect and honor my elders, the taste of an old arugula plant is just not my cup of tea \u2014 or salad base.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, you can grow arugula indoors either in soil or hydroponically using LED grow lights. Growing arugula with LED lights<\/a> may even increase the amount grown as well as its nutrition levels.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Once you get to know arugula, you may not be willing to do without it outside of your growing season. Fortunately, you may be able to get it year-round in grocery stores in the US and other countries.<\/p>\n

You can find arugula at most regular grocery stores, natural food stores, farmers markets<\/a>, and CSAs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How to Store and Wash Arugula<\/h2>\n
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Like other greens, arugula will wilt if exposed to air for too long. It will fare better when wrapped in a produce bag or sealed in an airtight container. For maximum longevity and freshness, keep your arugula in your refrigerator\u2019s crisper drawer.<\/strong> And throw away any leaves that are slimy, brown, or smelly. To preserve the peppery leaves longer, place a paper towel or tea towel underneath the arugula in its storage container to catch excess moisture.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t wash arugula until you\u2019re ready to use it. The best method<\/a> that I\u2019ve found for washing salad greens is to use a salad spinner<\/a>, as that can get them nicely clean and dry.<\/p>\n

For more on washing produce, check out our article on How to Wash Vegetables and Fruits to Remove Pesticides<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ways to Use Arugula<\/h2>\n

Arugula is often enjoyed raw, typically in dishes that contain ingredients that can balance out its sharpness.<\/strong> (According<\/a> to an Italian cuisine historian, arugula was often mixed with lettuce in order to counteract its aphrodisiac properties.) In addition to salads<\/a>, you can use arugula as a topping or finisher for pizza; blend it into sauces<\/a>, dips, and dressings; turn it into an intensely green gazpacho; blend it in smoothies<\/a> and juices; and use it in sandwiches and wraps.<\/p>\n

You can also cook arugula. It can add zip to soups. It can also stand alone, saut\u00e9ed, or as a side dish. Arugula can add vivid color and bright flavor to vegan quiches, frittatas, and nomlettes (no-egg omelets, which can be so tasty you just go \u201cnom nom nom\u201d while you eat). You can also add fresh arugula leaves to steaming hot pasta dishes \u2014 the heat will wilt the leaves and cut their sharpness a bit, while still leaving enough peppery flavor to be noticeable.<\/p>\n

If you like the idea of cooking with leafy greens, arugula has lots of friends, which can also add sharpness to your meals.<\/p>\n

Other bitter greens to try in place of arugula in recipes include:<\/strong><\/p>\n