When figs are in season, nothing can beat a fig salad. Sweet, soft figs paired with peppery greens, tangy cheese, crunchy nuts and a bright vinaigrette. It’s a balance of textures and flavors that feels both effortless and refined. Serve it as a side at your holiday table or lunch everyday–it’s guaranteed DELICIOUS!
We live for fig and pomegranate season, every year! Figs are sweet, rich and have an intricate texture. And because they’re very rooted in our Mediterranean background, we use them endlessly.
You can use green or black mission figs for this recipe. But don’t skimp on them–figs add a unique sweetness and so it elevates simple salads into something extra special.
We shared a super easy French Fig Almond Frangipane Tart years and years ago, and it remains one of our top requested recipes. Today we’re going savory, using fresh figs (while you can also use roasted) and a simple balsamic vinaigrette.
What is a Fig Salad
A fig salad basically combines fresh or roasted figs with salad greens and complementary ingredients. Classically goat cheese (we used blue cheese) , prosciutto (we skipped this), toasted nuts (use our 5 mins Candied Walnuts) and a simple vinaigrette.
The fig salad recipe is defined by contrast. A soft-sweet fruit versus crisp greens; creamy cheese, bright acidity and crunchy nuts.
Why You’ll Love This Figs Salad
- It’s so tasty, so festive and turns salad haters into salad LOVERS!
- The combo of sweet, salty, tangy, crunchy, soft and chewy all together is impeccable!
- This is a salad recipe, so no cooking is required and it’s a 10 mins job.
- It’s so customizable–you can swap green leaves, nuts, cheeses and any other ingredient.
- This recipe is a perfect seasonal show stopper! It’s a crowd favorite at any special occasion. You can also use roasted figs for a deeper and richer taste.
- The dressing is a simple vinaigrette which you can make ahead.
- The Candied Walnuts are this season’s MUST try recipe which you can also make ahead!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Figs. Use green or black mission figs, and use fresh or roasted figs for this recipe.
- Greens. Any leafy greens or salad greens or baby spinach works too!
- Red onions. We love thinly sliced red onions here, you can use scallions, white onions or shallots.
- Cheese. We love blue cheese, however you can try feta cheese, goat cheese or any!
- Apples. You can use pears.
- Avocado. We love the creamy buttery feel it adds to the salad.
- Dried Fruits. We love dried cranberries but you can use any.
- Pomegranate Arils. Seasonal, tangy and sweet pomegranates. You can skip if you’d like.
- Nuts. We love our Candied Walnuts which you can use with pecans, almonds and any other nuts.
Dressing Ingredients
- Olive oil. Use quality olive oil.
- Vinegar. Any white wine or balsamic vinegar works well here
- Mustard. To bind the dressing
- Honey. Cuts down the acidity, you can use maple syrup
- Seasoning. Simple salt and pepper
- Fresh herbs. We used fresh thyme, you can use parsley or none.
How to Make Fig Salad
- This is an arugula fig salad so no need to chop the greens here. Just prep the other ingredients.
- It’s BEST to have the nuts toasted and ready –use this 5 min guide for Candied Walnuts.
- Use a salad bowl and add all the salad ingredients.
- Make the salad dressing.
- Whisk all ingredients in a bowl until smooth.
- Pour the salad dressing over the salad and toss really lightly to avoid mushing any ingredient.
- And sprinkle extra nuts at the end along with pomegranate arils.
- And your arugula fig salad is ready!
Tips for Fresh Fig Salad
- Choose ripe figs but not mushy ones. Slightly soft to the touch with a sweet flavor are best. The mushy ones will mush up your salad.
- FRESH FIGS are key! This is a seasonal salad and while we wished to make it all years long, it remains the best seasonal salad. Chose between the varieties of fresh figs and combine them if you like.
- Balance the dressing. If using white wine or aged balsamic viengars, you need honey to balance the sweetness. You don’t need mush as the figs are already sweet.
- Add nuts last. To keep the wonderful crunch, make sure the nuts go in last.
- If prosciutto or bacon or any cold meats are used, also add them towards the end.
- Swap cheeses to your taste! For a rich and luxurious salad, use Burrata Cheese. Add it right at the center of the plate and top with fresh figs and pomegranate.
What to Serve with Fig Salad
- Mains: chicken, fish, Steak, Bread, or on its own!
- Make it a meal: Stir in cooked farro or quinoa and chicken for a hearty bowl.
What kind of figs are best for salad?
Fresh Black Mission and Brown Turkey are sweet and hold up well fresh; Kadota are milder but work. Choose ripe but not mushy figs. If fresh figs aren’t available, roasted dried figs (rehydrated briefly) can be used as well!
Can I use dried figs instead of fresh?
Yes if you realy can’t find fresh. Rehydrate some chopped dried figs briefly in warm water or a little orange juice, or roast them with honey. Expect a chewier texture and more concentrated sweetness.
Should figs be roasted for salad?
No. We prefer fresh seasonal figs. If you’d like to roast, place them in an oven safe dish at 400 degrees F and roast for 6-10 mins. Roasting concentrates sweetness and adds caramel notes.
How long can you make fig salad ahead of time?
The best thing to make ahead here is the Candied Walnuts and the dressing. If you’re using roasted figs, then you can also make that ahead. Then simply, slice, toss and enjoy. It’s best to dress the salad within an hour of serving.
What cheeses pair best with figs?
Goat cheese (chevre) for tang, burrata for creaminess, and gorgonzola/blue for a bold salty contrast.
Is fig salad good for entertaining?
Absolutely YES! It’s a festive looking and crowd pleasing dish, quick to assemble and can be easily scaled.
What vinaigrette works best with figs?
Balsamic honey vinaigrette is a classic or white balsamic as we used here.
Can I make this salad vegetarian/vegan?
Yes! Use the same salad vegetables and skip the cheeses or use vegan cheese. You’ll find plenty of variation vegan cheeses at grocery stores now.
Show Stopping Salads
Cauliflower Salad
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
Broccoli Salad
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Sweet Potato Salad
Panzanella Salad
Tomato Salad
Lamb Loin With Halloumi Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 3 cups Arugula
- 1 cup Figs thinly sliced
- 2 Avocados thinly sliced
- 1 red onion thinly sliced
- 1 apple thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 1/2 cup walnuts candied walnuts
- 1/2 cup Pomegranate arils
- 1/3 cup cranberries dried
Salad Dressing
- 2 teaspoons Honey
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 2 Tabelspoon Vinegar Balsamic or white
- 3 Tablespoons Olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
-
This is an arugula fig salad so no need to chop the greens here. Just prep the other ingredients.
-
It's BEST to have the nuts toasted and ready --use this 5 min guide for Candied Walnuts.
-
Use a salad bowl and add all the salad ingredients.
-
Make the salad dressing.
-
Whisk all ingredients in a bowl until smooth.
-
Pour the salad dressing over the salad and toss really lightly to avoid mushing any ingredient.
-
And sprinkle extra nuts at the end along with pomegranate arils.
-
And your arugula fig salad is ready!
Recipe Notes
Tips for Fresh Fig Salad
- Choose ripe figs but not mushy ones. Slightly soft to the touch with a sweet flavor are best. The mushy ones will mush up your salad.
- FRESH FIGS are key! This is a seasonal salad and while we wished to make it all years long, it remains the best seasonal salad. Chose between the varieties of fresh figs and combine them if you like.
- Balance the dressing. If using white wine or aged balsamic viengars, you need honey to balance the sweetness. You don't need mush as the figs are already sweet.
- Add nuts last. To keep the wonderful crunch, make sure the nuts go in last.
- If prosciutto or bacon or any cold meats are used, also add them towards the end.
- Swap cheeses to your taste! For a rich and luxurious salad, use Burrata Cheese. Add it right at the center of the plate and top with fresh figs and pomegranate.
What to Serve with Fig Salad
- Mains: chicken, fish, Steak, Bread, or on its own!
- Make it a meal: Stir in cooked farro or quinoa and chicken for a hearty bowl.
What kind of figs are best for salad?
Fresh Black Mission and Brown Turkey are sweet and hold up well fresh; Kadota are milder but work. Choose ripe but not mushy figs. If fresh figs aren’t available, roasted dried figs (rehydrated briefly) can be used as well!
Can I use dried figs instead of fresh?
Yes if you realy can't find fresh. Rehydrate some chopped dried figs briefly in warm water or a little orange juice, or roast them with honey. Expect a chewier texture and more concentrated sweetness.
Should figs be roasted for salad?
No. We prefer fresh seasonal figs. If you'd like to roast, place them in an oven safe dish at 400 degrees F and roast for 6-10 mins. Roasting concentrates sweetness and adds caramel notes.
How long can you make fig salad ahead of time?
The best thing to make ahead here is the Candied Walnuts and the dressing. If you're using roasted figs, then you can also make that ahead. Then simply, slice, toss and enjoy. It's best to dress the salad within an hour of serving.
What cheeses pair best with figs?
Goat cheese (chevre) for tang, burrata for creaminess, and gorgonzola/blue for a bold salty contrast.
Is fig salad good for entertaining?
Absolutely YES! It's a festive looking and crowd pleasing dish, quick to assemble and can be easily scaled.
What vinaigrette works best with figs?
Balsamic honey vinaigrette is a classic or white balsamic as we used here.
Can I make this salad vegetarian/vegan?
Yes! Use the same salad vegetables and skip the cheeses or use vegan cheese. You'll find plenty of variation vegan cheeses at grocery stores now.
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