Sautéed Arugula

5.0
(2)
Add your rating & review

Peppery sautéed arugula is dressed in a delicate buttery sauce with lemon, garlic and sherry vinegar. Pair this quick and easy side dish with roasted chicken or fish.

By
Karen Rankin
Karen Rankin
Karen Rankin

Karen Rankin is a recipe tester, developer and food stylist. She is also a writer whose work has appeared in EatingWell, Southern Living, MyRecipes, Cooking Light, Real Simple and Food & Wine. She has served as a food stylist for many of those same brands and produces a series of videos for Southern Living called Tips from the Test Kitchen.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on April 25, 2024
Reviewed by Dietitian
Christa Brown, M.S., RDN, LD
Headshot of Christa Brown
Reviewed by Dietitian Christa Brown, M.S., RDN, LD
Christa Brown is a registered dietitian and business owner with a practice focus on diabetes management and content development for brands and fitness influencers. She is a licensed dietitian with a Master of Science in Nutrition Education and a certification in gut health by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.
EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Tested by
EatingWell Test Kitchen
Eating Well Bio Page
Tested by EatingWell Test Kitchen

The EatingWell Test Kitchen is comprised of a group of culinary professionals who develop and test our recipes. Our recipes go through a rigorous process, which includes testing by trained recipe testers, using different equipment (e.g., gas and electric stoves) and a variety of tools and techniques to make sure that it will really work when you make it at home. Testers shop major supermarkets to research availability of ingredients. Finally, a Registered Dietitian reviews each recipe to ensure that we deliver food that's not only delicious, but adheres to our nutrition guidelines as well. Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters.

Meet the EatingWell Test Kitchen
Sautéed Arugula
Photo: Photographer / Fred Hardy, Food Stylist / Ruth Blackburn
Active Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
15 mins
Servings:
4
Nutrition Profile:
Nut-Free Soy-Free Vegetarian Egg-Free Gluten-Free
Jump to Nutrition Facts
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • 4 small cloves garlic, chopped

  • 3 (5-ounce) containers arugula

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar

  • ½ teaspoon grated lemon zest

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • ½ teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Gradually add arugula to the pot, stirring constantly, until all the arugula is wilted and has released all its moisture, about 3 minutes. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, quickly transfer the wilted arugula to a bowl, leaving any liquid in the pot.

  2. Increase heat to medium-high; cook, undisturbed, until the liquid reduces by half, about 2 minutes. Add butter, vinegar, lemon juice and salt; cook, stirring, until the butter is melted. Return the arugula to the pot and stir to coat the greens evenly in the sauce. Sprinkle with lemon zest before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is arugula healthy?

    Yes, it is. Arugula is a leafy green vegetable, and leafy greens are chock-full of nutrients, including magnesium, calcium, potassium, nitrates, vitamin C, carotenoids and fiber. Altogether, the nutrients in leafy greens add to your nutrition bottom line and are helpful for overall good health. They are particularly good for lowering your blood pressure and keeping your gut healthy.

  • Is this recipe gluten-free?

    Yes, this recipe is gluten-free.

  • Is this recipe vegan?

    Because this recipe uses butter, it is not vegan, but it is vegetarian. If you wanted to make it vegan, you could swap the butter for a dairy-free vegan plant butter.

  • What is sherry vinegar? Is there a substitute?

    Sherry vinegar is made from sherry wine, which is a fortified wine made from white grapes grown in southern Spain. The vinegar is aged in oak barrels for at least six months, giving it a complex flavor profile that's slightly sweet, nutty and acidic. If you can't find sherry vinegar, substitute it with white-wine vinegar, champagne vinegar or rice vinegar.

  • What do you serve with Sautéed Arugula?

    Pair this easy side dish with roasted chicken, seared steak or grilled fish. Serve alongside your favorite pasta, such as Lemony Spaghetti with Parmesan & Thyme or Pasta Aglio e Olio (With Garlic and Oil). If you have leftover sautéed arugula, add it to a quiche, frittata or omelet for breakfast.

  • What does Sautéed Arugula taste like?

    Arugula is a delicate leafy green that's part of the cabbage and mustard green family. It has a distinct peppery and slightly spicy flavor when eaten raw in salads, but it mellows out when it's cooked. Sautéed arugula has a mild flavor, similar to sautéed spinach or wilted kale.

Additional reporting by Carrie Myers and Jan Valdez

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, January 2022

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

141 Calories
13g Fat
5g Carbs
3g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 3/4 cup
Calories 141
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 5g 2%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 3g 6%
Total Fat 13g 17%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 23mg 8%
Vitamin A 2790IU 56%
Sodium 321mg 14%
Potassium 411mg 9%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Related Articles

5240858.jpg
Arugula Salad with Carrots and Goat Cheese
20 mins
8381461.jpg
Fennel Panzanella
20 mins
Roasted Grape & Radicchio Salad
Roasted Grape & Radicchio Salad
25 mins
6910453.jpg
Caprese Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes & Burrata
15 mins
6060596.jpg
Sautéed Spinach
15 mins
Arugula, Beet & Feta Salad
Arugula, Beet & Feta Salad
15 mins
7974120.jpg
Spicy Tomato & Arugula Pasta
1 hr
Bitter Greens Salad with Beets & Oranges
Bitter Greens Salad with Beets & Oranges
1 hr 45 mins
8088120.jpg
Sautéed Zucchini & Onions with Chive Butter
15 mins
Stetson Chopped Salad
Stetson Chopped Salad
25 mins
Sautéed Brussels Sprouts
Sautéed Brussels Sprouts
15 mins
3758382.jpg
Herb & Arugula Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
10 mins
Roasted Butternut Squash & Pear Quinoa Salad
Roasted Butternut Squash & Pear Quinoa Salad
55 mins
Easy Sautéed Asparagus
Easy Sautéed Asparagus
15 mins
Smashed Lemon-Garlic Zucchini with Parmesan
Smashed Lemon-Garlic Zucchini with Parmesan
25 mins
a recipe photo of the Roasted Sweet Potato & Arugula Salad with Pomegranate & Walnuts served on a plate
Roasted Sweet Potato & Arugula Salad with Pomegranate & Walnuts
30 mins