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Home Side Salads

Rocket Salad with Balsamic Dressing and Shaved Parmesan

By:Nagi
Published:25 Sep '19Updated:13 Nov '20
24 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

Rocket Salad with Balsamic Dressing and shaved parmesan is a classic side salad that you often see on restaurant menus. The peppery, fresh flavour of rocket (arugula) makes it a great side for rich or carb-heavy mains, as well as proteins. It’s super quick to make, and probably my most-made side salad.

Bonus super quick version made with balsamic glaze also included!

Close up of Balsamic Dressing being drizzled over rocket salad with shaved parmesan

Rocket Salad with Balsamic Dressing

This is a very classic side salad that you’ll find on the menu of fine dining restaurants and local bistros. It goes with virtually any Western dish, and is extremely quick to make:

  • Balsamic Dressing made with just extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper;

  • Rocket lettuce – called arugula in the US & Canada, it’s got a great peppery fresh flavour; and

  • Shaved parmesan – just use a potato peeler!

Super quick, classic side salad that requires NO CHOPPING!

What goes in Rocket-Salad-with-Balsamic-Glaze

What does rocket taste like?

Rocket – called arugula in the US and Canada – is a type of lettuce which has a slight peppery flavour which makes it really fresh with a great bite so it pairs really well with meat heavy mains like roasts, and carb heavy dishes like pasta dishes.

How to make Rocket Salad

Here’s how to make it. It’s very quick and requires zero chopping – BONUS!

How to make Rocket Salad with Balsamic Dressing

ALTERNATIVE: Balsamic Glaze

The alternative way to make Rocket Salad is to use a Balsamic Glaze rather than mixing up a Balsamic Dressing.

This is even faster to make because all you do is drizzle olive oil on the rocket, toss, drizzle with a bit of balsamic glaze, then shave over parmesan. Don’t try to toss the salad in the glaze, it’s too thick, just serve it with drizzles of balsamic over it.

How to make Rocket Salad with Balsamic Glaze

Rocket Salad with Balsamic Glaze takes 90 seconds FLAT to make!

Close up of Rocket Salad with Balsamic Glaze

Which Rocket Salad is better?

The Balsamic Dressing version is the classic way to make it, made “properly” because the rocket leaves are properly tossed in Balsamic Dressing.

The Balsamic Glaze version has more intense flavour pops when you hit a drizzle of balsamic glaze. It’s also faster to make – literally 90 seconds of effort. For everyday purposes, I make this Balsamic Glaze version more often! – Nagi x


Watch how to make it

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Close up of Balsamic Dressing being drizzled over rocket salad with shaved parmesan

Rocket Salad with Balsamic Dressing and Shaved Parmesan

Author: Nagi
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Total: 5 minutes mins
Side Salad
Western
4.89 from 9 votes
Servings4
Tap or hover to scale
Print
Recipe video above. A classic side salad that makes an appearance on fine dining restaurants and local bistros! It goes with virtually every Western dish, with the pepper flavour of rocket lettuce making it ideal to pair with rich meat-heavy or carb heavy mains like pastas and roasts.

Ingredients

  • 150g / 5 oz rocket / arugula (4 big handfuls)
  • 15g / 0.5oz parmesan , shaved finely using vegetable peeler

Balsamic Dressing:

  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Shake Balsamic Dressing in jar.
  • Place rocket in a bowl, drizzle with Dressing then toss.
  • Transfer to serving bowl. Shave over parmesan. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes:

Balsamic Glaze Option: Just drizzle rocket with extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss. Then drizzle with about 2 tsp balsamic glaze. Transfer to serving bowl, shave over parmesan.
This version has great little intense pops of flavour against the fresh rocket!

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 105cal (5%)Carbohydrates: 2g (1%)Protein: 2g (4%)Fat: 10g (15%)Saturated Fat: 2g (13%)Cholesterol: 3mg (1%)Sodium: 362mg (16%)Potassium: 138mg (4%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 1g (1%)Vitamin A: 919IU (18%)Vitamin C: 6mg (7%)Calcium: 104mg (10%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
Keywords: Arugula salad, Rocket salad
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24 Comments

  1. Jenn says

    July 17, 2023 at 4:27 am

    5 stars
    Husband loves arugula but never knew how to prep it. Saw this right as some arugula was going bad in the fridge. Added chopped walnuts and chicken to make a really good lunch! Always dependable recipes from you!

    Reply
  2. asri says

    July 6, 2023 at 6:38 pm

    5 stars
    https://www.pengirimanalatberat.com/pengiriman-alat-berat-barabai-0821-4112-7937/
    https://www.jasapengirimanbarang.com/tips-memilih-ekspedisi-pengiriman-barang/
    https://www.ekspedisidisurabaya.com/2022/12/23/ekspedisi-surabaya-namlea/
    https://pengirimanlewatkapal.com/2023/03/02/pengiriman-barang-ke-namlea/
    https://ptauraabadikalimantan.wordpress.com/2022/09/02/jasa-pengiriman-barang-kantor-ke-kalimantan/

    Reply
  3. Paula says

    July 2, 2023 at 1:04 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! I subbed the rocket for bacon, the Parmesan for a fried egg, and the balsamic dressing for ketchup. Just kidding! Made it exactly as stated and was a delicious and simple salad. Will make it regularly. Thanks Nagi. X

    Reply
  4. Debbie C says

    March 26, 2023 at 4:04 pm

    5 stars
    So easy to make and so flavorful. My hubby loved it too. Thank you Nagi.

    Reply
  5. Belinda says

    March 20, 2023 at 8:01 pm

    5 stars
    Utterly delicious & so simple. Thank you once again for proving that quick & easy does NOT have to mean bland & boring. 🙂

    Reply
  6. Abir says

    February 21, 2023 at 6:46 pm

    It was excellent. Thanks Nagi

    Reply
  7. Babsieby says

    December 8, 2020 at 11:34 pm

    5 stars
    If you aren’t a fan of salads, this is the one to change your mind completely. It has minimal ingredients, is incredibly quick and easy to assemble and best of all the flavour payback is immense. It will always be my go to side salad. Thanks Nagi, another fabulous, quick, easy and delicious recipe, you’re a legend.

    Reply
  8. Tracie says

    September 9, 2020 at 7:34 pm

    5 stars
    Yum! I added pear and walnuts and served with your baked frittata. Thanks again Nagi!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      September 10, 2020 at 12:44 pm

      Yum! Sounds fantastic Tracie!! N x

      Reply
  9. Sue says

    May 26, 2020 at 9:52 am

    4 stars
    I’m usually terrible at making green salads and hate when people ask me to bring one . This however was perfect
    Added toasted pine nuts and used 1/2 spinach and 1/2 rocket mix.
    Thanks Nagi , you saved the day 😄

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      May 26, 2020 at 7:32 pm

      Wahooo! Perfect Sue! N x

      Reply
  10. Asma Jarrar says

    February 3, 2020 at 12:10 pm

    I will add to that ,toasted pine nuts or toasted sun flower seeds ,ooh myy it will be delicious.

    TIP :make the salad dressing, and let the flavors fuse in the fridge over night.

    Reply
  11. Cat says

    January 3, 2020 at 7:43 pm

    5 stars
    This was fabulous! So many times I’ve got the balance wrong with this type of salad. I went half/half rocket & baby spinach, then added thinly sliced pear and the balsamic I used was caramelised fig and it’s so good I’ve just had it two nights in a row!! Another super recipe, thanks Nagi!!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      January 4, 2020 at 5:20 pm

      Perfect Cat!!

      Reply
  12. Helen says

    October 31, 2019 at 11:49 am

    I always like to have some greens or salad on the side but have never thought to do something so simple. This will now be my go to recipe. Thank you Nagi.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      November 1, 2019 at 9:41 am

      This is perfect then Helen! SO simple yet delicious!

      Reply
  13. Jean Powell says

    October 5, 2019 at 11:38 pm

    I love so many of your recipes. They are easy and delicious. I think you and Dozer are so cute, keep showing the pictures.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      October 8, 2019 at 2:22 pm

      Thanks so much Jean!

      Reply
  14. Kim H says

    September 27, 2019 at 8:36 pm

    I love this salad served with salt and pepper squid. I usually also add thinly sliced pear and toasted pinenuts. Yum

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      September 28, 2019 at 1:15 pm

      YES! A perfect combo!

      Reply
  15. Ajoke says

    September 26, 2019 at 12:37 am

    This is right up my street! This is the quickest salad recipe ever seen.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      September 26, 2019 at 6:02 am

      Hence why I make it SO OFTEN!!!

      Reply
  16. Mel Burns says

    September 25, 2019 at 9:28 pm

    Try substituting gorgonzola for the parmesan. It’s delicious.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      September 26, 2019 at 7:57 pm

      Sounds delicious Mel!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

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