When you need a quick side dish, Sautéed Arugula fits the bill! It’s fast, garlicky, and bright with a touch of lemon.
A few years ago, I ordered takeout from a new barbecue place that opened near me. I was so stoked to see that they offered bacon-smothered collard greens as a side, so I eagerly added it to my order. I went to pick it up and was drooling all the way home as the box sat next to me. But when I opened the takeout box, I did not see collard greens. It was some other green! They had tried to fool me, but it was not spinach. After a bite, I realized that it was arugula.
After my anger had time to dissipate (and after I had fixed my hanger issue with copious amounts of smoked brisket), I reconsidered this… sautéed arugula. Who sautées arugula? I thought, as I took another bite. The next day, it was I who sautéed the arugula, because you know what? It wasn’t exactly bacon-smothered collard greens, but it was not bad at all. When cooked, it barely even has that spicy bite that turns some folks off.
I am thrilled to share this sautéed arugula recipe today. If you’re thinking about a veggie garden, I’m also happy to share that arugula is a perennial in many growing zones, so it’ll come back every year! This peppery green pairs perfectly with minced garlic and a simple sprinkle of salt and pepper, and this recipe adds a touch of lemon to the mix. The best part? I’m not kidding when I say it is ready in five minutes! That’s including prep time, cooking time, seasoning, and on the plate! For me, this works out perfectly for weeknight dinners, unlike bacon-smothered collard greens, which takes half an hour to make.
Is Sautéed Arugula Healthy?
Yes, sautéed arugula is healthy. Arugula contains vitamins C and K and a small dose of fiber. The olive oil in this recipe adds a reasonable amount of healthy unsaturated fat, and the lemon adds a touch of vitamin C. Overall, these tasty greens are suitable for vegans, gluten-free eaters, Paleo and Whole30 dieters, and strict keto followers. It doesn’t get much more accessible than that!
Baby, Rocket, And Wild Arugula
When shopping for arugula, you may have a few choices: baby, rocket, and wild. Are these not the cutest names for veggies? So, what’s the difference?
Baby arugula is harvested before it fully matures, which makes the flavor milder than mature arugula. Rocket is another name for mature arugula, and it’s the arugula you are likely most familiar with, since it is commonly sold in grocery stores. Rocket is what several other parts of the world, including Australia and England, call arugula. Finally, wild arugula, or wild rocket (I know, confusing), is a longer, almost weed-like version of the vegetable. Wild arugula has a stronger, more intense flavor than the other varieties.
Any of these will taste great sautéed, but at least you now know the difference!
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store sautéed arugula in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. I do not recommend freezing leftovers in this case, as the texture will be mushy when you thaw it.
Serving Suggestions
Sautéed arugula is kind of like a little black dress: it goes with everything, from a simple protein like Healthy Baked Salmon or Juicy Grilled Chicken Breast, to wildly elaborate main dishes like Keto Steak With Garlic Butter Mushrooms or a beef Wellington! You can even use it as a topping on Vegan Pizza, and as a filling in a yummy Grilled Mexican Quesadilla With Lentils. Add it to your Creamed Spinach, even!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces arugula
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Juice of ½ lemon
Instructions
- Rinse the arugula thoroughly under running water. Pat it dry with a towel or use a salad spinner.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic to the pan and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the arugula, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until arugula is wilted.
- Serve with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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