Sautéed Arugula Recipe

Not a fan of eating your greens? Or maybe you want to have your kids practice eating some leafy greens that are beneficial for their health. 

If that is the case, then try out this sauteed arugula recipe that is buttery and zesty in all the right ways! There are different ways to cook arugula and sauteeing it is definitely one of my favorite methods!

I can assure you that this dish is a great way to enjoy the freshness and delicate flavor of arugula. And yes, you and your kids will definitely love this!

How to make Sautéed Arugula 

This sauteed arugula recipe is just a simple and easy side dish with very few ingredients needed but it is already bursting with freshness and packed with nutritional benefits! 

Ingredients: 

6 ounces of fresh arugula

1/2 tablespoon butter

1/2 tablespoon olive oil

1 clove garlic minced

salt and pepper to taste 

lemon slices for garnish 

Instructions: 

Drizzle your pan with olive oil and add the butter. Heat the pan on medium-high until hot. 

It’s time to sautee your arugula! First, add the garlic to the pan and fry for around 1 minute or until fragrant. 

Add arugula next and the salt and pepper. Saute for around 3 minutes or until the arugula is wilted. 

Place on a serving plate and serve with lemon slices alongside your chosen main dish. 

More notes and tips for the best sauteed arugula recipe

The process of sauteeing arugula is very straightforward and literally takes you more or less three minutes to complete. So, messing this recipe up is quite impossible.

However, if you want some more tips for the best results and flavor, then I have here some more notes and tips for the best sauteed arugula recipe: 

• Add your preferred seasoning! If you prefer something spicy, add some red pepper flakes or ground black pepper if you want it more peppery. Add in a sprinkle of lemon juice for that zesty flavor. You can also add garlic powder and more!
• You can also add pine nuts to the recipe as a garnish for that extra crunch. Just add pine nuts to a dry skillet without oil and heat over medium heat for about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir them toast until golden, and transfer to a different plate or sprinkle on top of your sauteed arugula. 
• Make sure to not overcook the arugula and only saute until you have wilted the arugula. Overcooked arugula will lose its bright green color and may become mushy. 
• This recipe welcomes many types and varieties of green veggies. You can also try doing this same recipe for other greens like spinach, kale, basil, and more! 
• This recipe is perfect for vegetarians but if you are someone who does not mind some protein in their meals, you can add some meat as well! I recommend adding in some diced crispy bacon or ham for that extra tasty crunch. 
• If you are vegan, I recommend using vegan butter and the taste results will still be the same. 
• I highly recommend using a nonstick pan or stainless steel pan for sauteing arugula (or any kind of veggies) since cast iron or aluminum pans can react with the acids in the arugula and will give it a metallic taste. 

What to serve with sauteed arugula side dish

This sauteed arugula is a great recipe if you are looking for a quick and easy side dish to go with your meals. And yes, you can also eat it on its own – it is already perfectly flavorful! 9

But, if you are looking for meals that go well with this recipe, then these are some ideas on what to serve with your cooked arugula: 

• Chicken tenders or roasted chicken
• Grilled chicken or fish
• Roasted veggies
• Air fried tofu
• Air fried pizza
• Air fried falafel
• and more!

How to store sauteed arugula

If you have any sauteed arugula leftovers, you can store them in the fridge in an airtight container for 3 days. To reheat, you can just pop the arugula in the microwave. You can also reheat in a skillet with a little bit of butter. 

Why I love this recipe

Aside from the fact that this sauteed arugula is a healthy side dish that you can make very very quickly, I love this recipe because it introduces you to a new way of cooking your (sometimes boring) vegetables and greens and incorporating extra flavors to it without removing any health benefits! 

Plus, there is no deep frying required at all and very little use of oil so you know that this is an excellent side dish with simple ingredients that will fit your diet! 

Easy Sautéed Arugula

Prep Time: 1 minute

Cook Time: 3 minutes

Total Time: 3 minutes

If you are looking for a quick and hassle free side dish, then you will love this sauteed arugula recipe that literally only takes 2-3 minutes! To make this recipe, you only need a few ingredients and a few steps. 

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Ingredients

• 6 ounces of arugula
• 1/2 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 clove garlic minced
• salt and pepper to taste 
• lemon slices for garnish 

Instructions

1. Drizzle your pan with olive oil and add the butter. Heat the pan on medium high until hot. 
2. It's time to sautee your arugula! First, add the garlic to the pan and fry for around 1 minute or until fragrant. 
3. Add arugula next and the salt and pepper. Saute for around 3 minutes or until the arugula is wilted. 
4. Place on a serving plate and serve with lemon slices alongside your chosen main dish. 

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