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    Home » Recipes » Salads

    Arugula Quinoa Salad with Lemon Caesar Vinaigrette

    Published: Apr 17, 2023 by Nicole Addison · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Crunchy chickpeas. Crispy quinoa. Fresh seasonal veggies. This arugula quinoa salad dressed with a lemon caesar vinaigrette is the spring recipe you need!

    Close up of arugula quinoa salad topped with crispy chickpeas and quinoa.

    Warmer weather calls for light, refreshing salads, and what better recipe to try out than my arugula quinoa salad?

    I honestly feel like this salad has the perfect balance of flavours. We have salty and savoury hits from the parm, a peppery taste from the arugula, and the best hit of acidic tang from the amazing lemon caesar vinaigrette. And I didn't forget about crunch, arguably one of the most underrated parts of a salad!

    Just like in all of my salad recipes (including my edamame crunch salad, tahini kale salad and Big Mac salad) I ALWAYS say there are three important parts of a salad 1. a leafy green, 2. a good dressing and 3. a CRUNCH. I find adding a crunch helps create more texture , making salads less boring!

    With oven roasted chickpeas and crispy quinoa, this salad checks all my boxes.

    Make this arugula quinoa salad as a light plant-based lunch, side for any main, or a dinner party. It's pretty much incredible for any affair!

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for arugula quinoa salad.
    Ingredients for lemon caesar vinaigrette.

    Salad:

    • Chickpeas
    • Quinoa
    • Olive oil
    • Salt and pepper
    • Arugula
    • Parmesan cheese
    • Radishes

    Lemon Caesar Vinaigrette:

    • Olive oil
    • Red wine vinegar
    • Lemon juice
    • Dijon mustard
    • Worcestershire sauce
    • Garlic cloves

    Instructions

    Baking chickpeas and quinoa until crispy.

    Preheat oven to 400F.

    On a baking tray evenly spread chickpeas. Drizzle with half of the olive oil and sprinkle with salt and black pepper. On a separate baking tray spread the cooked quinoa in an even layer, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Place both trays in the oven and bake for about 20-35 minutes until chickpeas are crispy and quinoa is just beginning to brown.

    Whisking together ingredients for lemon caesar vinaigrette.

    While the chickpeas and quinoa are baking, make your dressing by whisking together dressing ingredients. 

    Tossing together salad ingredients.

    In a large bowl, add arugula, quinoa, chickpeas, radishes and parmesan cheese.

    Mixing arugula quinoa salad and topping with parmesan.

    Drizzle with dressing, toss to combine and garnish with additional parmesan cheese!

    Substitutions and Variations

    To make gluten-free: This salad is naturally gluten-free, however you may need to find certified gluten-free chickpeas if you have Celiac disease.

    To make vegan: Omit parmesan or swap for vegan cheese of choice.

    If there are any ingredients you don't like, feel free to skip them!

    Equipment

    • Mixing bowl
    • Baking tray

    Storage

    This arugula quinoa salad is best eaten fresh. If you want to make this ahead of time, I recommend prepping the quinoa, chickpeas and other ingredients and storing separately from the dressing until just before serving.

    Top Tip

    For a pop of colour, save some toppings to add just before serving! Tossing your salad in some of the dressing before serving is also a great tip to make sure the flavour is evenly distributed. Then, add the rest of the dressing as your serve!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use an air fryer to make the quinoa or chickpeas? 

    Yes! You can use my air fryer roasted chickpea recipe or crisp up your quinoa in the air fryer at 400F for about 7 minutes.

    I don’t like radishes! Do I have to add them?

    Of course not! I just thought they were a fun way to add in some seasonal produce and a pop of colour.

    Is this a balanced meal?

    This salad is a great balanced option for a lighter plant-based meal! It has protein from the quinoa and chickpeas, fats from the cheese and dressing and some carbs from the quinoa as well. Definitely balanced in my books.

    What can I serve with this salad?

    This arugula quinoa salad also makes for a delicious summery side! I think it would be amazing alongside a pasta dish like my lemon chicken pasta or creamy vegan red pepper pasta.

    Arugula quinoa salad dressed with lemon caesar vinaigrette

    More Delicious Salad Recipes

    I'm all about salads that you ACTUALLY want to eat. These are some other faves:

    • Thai Chopped Salad
    • Santa Fe Salad
    • Copycat Costco Quinoa Salad
    • Tahini Kale Salad

    PS. I love seeing my recipes in action! If you decide to make this arugula quinoa salad, don't forget to snap a photo and tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic or leave a comment and rating below letting me know how you liked it!

    📖 Recipe

    Arugula quinoa salad dressed with lemon caesar vinaigrette
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Arugula Quinoa Salad with Lemon Caesar Vinaigrette

    Crunchy chickpeas. Crispy quinoa. Fresh seasonal veggies. This arugula quinoa salad dressed with a lemon caesar vinaigrette is the spring recipe you need!
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time25 minutes mins
    Total Time35 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: salads, vegetables
    Servings: 6

    Ingredients 

    Salad

    • 1.5 cups chickpeas 398mL can, rinsed and drained
    • 2 cups cooked quinoa
    • 1.5 tablespoon olive oil divided
    • Salt and black pepper to taste
    • 5 cups arugula 1x 142g container
    • ½ cup parmesan cheese thinly shredded
    • ¼ cup radishes thinly sliced

    Lemon Caesar Vinaigrette

    • ⅓ cup olive oil
    • 2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
    • 4 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
    • ½ tablespoon worcestershire sauce
    • 2 garlic cloves pressed

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 400F.
    • On a baking tray evenly spread chickpeas. Drizzle with half of the olive oil and sprinkle with salt and black pepper. On a separate baking tray, spread the cooked quinoa in an even layer, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Place both trays in the oven and bake for about 20-35 minutes until chickpeas are crispy and quinoa is just beginning to brown.
    • While the chickpeas and quinoa are baking, make your dressing by whisking together dressing ingredients.
    • In a large bowl, add arugula, quinoa, chickpeas, radishes and parmesan cheese. Drizzle with dressing, toss to combine and garnish with additional parmesan cheese!

    Notes

    *I have included an estimation of the nutrition information for this recipe below. However, always remember a recipe is so much more than just nutritional content and these numbers do not need to dictate your food choices. Please don't forget that both your body and soul need nourishment! The owner of this website is not liable for this estimation.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 322kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 176mg | Potassium: 335mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 477IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 162mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?I love seeing my recipes in action! Don't forget to tag me @nourishedbynic or use the hashtag #nourishedbynic!

    More Salads

    • Vegan bean salad served with a lime slice.
      Vegan Bean Salad
    • Mexican tuna salad served with chips and cucumbers.
      Mexican Tuna Salad
    • Thai chopped salad in a bowl.
      Thai Chopped Salad (Meal Prep Friendly)
    • Tossed tahini kale salad.
      The BEST Tahini Kale Salad

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    Nicole Addison, RD, MHSc

    I’m Nicole, a Registered Dietitian, recipe developer and content creator on a mission to help individuals rediscover the joys of cooking with easy, accessible, healthy recipes. After years of struggling to find balance I have finally found that there is a way nourish your body while also fueling your soul.

    On my page you'll find yummy recipes, wellness tips, and even some of my favourite travel and lifestyle recommendations!

    More about me →

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