This mouthwatering blueberry walnut salad with a honey lemon vinaigrette is light, refreshing and a definite crowd-pleaser! Plus, it’s packed full of omega 3’s and antioxidants, which are great for the heart! The perfect simple salad recipe for those warmer months! (Gluten-free & vegetarian)
As the weather slowly starts to get warmer, it’s hard not to crave those light and refreshing salads.
I love this arugula salad with blueberries because it not only tastes AMAZING, but it has less than 10 ingredients, so it literally takes less than 10 minutes to prepare.
So simple, yet still so delicious.
Each mouthful is filled with peppery arugula, juicy blueberries, crunchy walnuts and creamy feta all mixed with a sweet and zesty honey lemon vinaigrette. Delicious, right?
For other arugula salad recipes, be sure to check out this Arugula Nectarine Salad.
Table of Contents
Why Make this Recipe
- Healthy: This blueberry walnut salad is packed full of nutrients including antioxidants, healthy fats, vitamin K and potassium! It’s a great addition to your weekly menu!
- Easy to adapt: You can easily turn this salad into a full meal by adding protein like chicken, salmon or roasted chickpeas.
- Quick and easy: This is such a great last minute side that’s takes minutes to make with just a handful of simple wholesome ingredients. It’s also a great option to make ahead of time, perfect for those summer cookouts!
Ingredient Notes
- Arugula: I love using arugula as a base for a salad. It has a slight peppery taste that works so well with the blueberries. You can also use baby spinach or other greens as a base.
- Blueberries: Rich in vitamin C, blueberries add a burst of sweetness to this salad. You can also use other berries like strawberries and raspberries.
- Feta: I love the creamy and tangy flavour that this Greek cheese adds to this salad. Goat cheese would also work well.
- Walnuts: Walnuts add a great texture and can be substituted for pecans or sliced or slivered almonds.
- Lemon Dressing: The dressing is made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, honey and a little salt and pepper. It’s great to use on lots of different salads too!
Step by Step Instructions
-
Combine salad ingredients in large bowl.
- Prepare dressing by combining all ingredients in a jar with a lid; shake vigorously to combine.
- Toss salad with desired amount of dressing (I only used half).
- Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- The dressing makes more than you’ll probably need. I only used about half of the dressing for this salad, but you can also use it on other salads throughout the week.
- I recommend putting the dressing on the salad just before serving to prevent the salad from going soggy. It can sit on the salad for a few hours, but it tastes best when fresh.
- I recommend preparing the dressing in a mason jar with a lid. It makes it super easy to shake it all up just before using. You can even make a double batch of the dressing to keep for all of your favourite salads throughout the week!
- If you want to add some extra protein to this salad, try adding some grilled chicken breast or salmon.
Recipe FAQs
How to store
You can store the salad covered tightly in the fridge for up to five days without the dressing. The dressing will keep well for a couple of weeks in a sealed bottle or jar. I often make extra dressing to use throughout the week.
Can you make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, although it’s best if you add the dressing just before serving so that arugula doesn’t wilt.
Recipe Variations
You can easily adapt this blueberry salad to suit your tastes.
- Switch up the fruit – Swap the blueberries for raspberries or strawberries, or add all three for a refreshing pop of colour!
- Use different nuts – Sub in pecans, sliced or slivered almonds for the walnuts.
- Make it dairy-free – Don’t add the feta.
- Make it vegan – Omit the cheese and swap out the honey for maple syrup.
- Switch up the dressing – This salad would also taste amazing with this strawberry balsamic vinaigrette!
Serving suggestions
This salad is a great fresh side dish to serve with all of your favourite mains.
Try it with:
- Grilled chicken (marinated in one of these healthy chicken marinades)
- Grilled chicken nuggets
- Walnut crusted salmon
- Mediterranean chicken kabobs
- Zucchini turkey burgers
- Almond flour chicken tenders
- Turkey Zucchini lasagna
More Tasty Salads
- Grilled Chicken Strawberry Salad
- Waldorf Salad with Grapes
- Kale Blueberry Salad
- Kale Beet Salad
- Sweet Potato Kale Bowl
- No-Mayo Broccoli Apple Salad
- Spring Mix Salad
Did you make this recipe? Scroll down to leave a star rating and review!
Blueberry Walnut Salad with Honey Lemon Vinaigrette
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 6 cups arugula
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
For the Dressing:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- ¼ tsp each salt and pepper
Instructions
- Combine salad ingredients in large bowl.
- Prepare dressing by combining all ingredients in a jar with a lid; shake vigorously to combine.
- Toss salad with desired amount of dressing (I only used half) and serve immediately.
Notes
- The dressing makes more than you’ll probably need. I only used about half of the dressing for this salad, but you can also use it on other salads throughout the week.
- I recommend putting the dressing on the salad just before serving to prevent the salad from going soggy. It can sit on the salad for a few hours, but it tastes best when fresh.
- I recommend preparing the dressing in a major jar with a lid. It makes it super easy to shake it all up just before using. You can even make a double batch of the dressing to keep for all of your favourite salads throughout the week!
- If you want to add some extra protein to this salad, try adding some grilled chicken breast or salmon.
- The nutritional information is based on using all of the dressing. If you choose to use less dressing, the nutrient values will vary.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted in February 2017 and was updated April 2021 to include better tips and photos.
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Louise says
OMG! What a tasty delight I used blueberries but also added in blackberries and mullberies and thought it was one of the most refreshing salads that I’ve ever made. Served it with grilled halibut and roasted cauliflower. A perfect summer meal. So glad I made extra salad and will have it for lunch tomorrow. Definitely adding this recipe to my rotation.
Elysia Cartlidge says
So happy you enjoyed the salad! Sounds so refreshing with all of those berries! I bet it was delicious with the halibut and cauliflower too. Thanks so much for returning to leave a rating and review :)
April says
Could you substitute the feta with goat cheese?
Elysia Cartlidge says
Yes for sure!
jonson says
wow this looks just amazing . i just love this recipe of blueberry walnut salad lemon dressing. this ls so easy and delicious to make easily. thanks for sharing this amazing article and recipe for blueberry walnut salad.
Elysia Cartlidge says
Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope you enjoy the recipe if you try it out :)
Farrah says
Yay for blueberries!! *-* This sounds so good! I love that it’s so quick to make and doesn’t require a ton of ingredients!
Elysia Cartlidge says
Thanks Farrah! It’s super easy and delicious!
Emily @Sinful Nutrition says
Those colors are gorgeous! Perfect meal for the hot weather ahead!
Deborah @ Confessions of mother runner says
Blueberries, feta and walnuts? Yes please!
Elysia Cartlidge says
One of my favourite combos for sure!
GiGi Eats says
Legit the definition of SPRING right here! What a light and nourishing salad!
Elysia Cartlidge says
Thank you Gigi! It’s SO refreshing!
Abbey Sharp says
I love blueberries, especially when they’re in salads! So much colour and flavour in this salad!
Elysia Cartlidge says
Thanks Abbey! Can’t go wrong with a salad involving blueberries!