The slightly bitter taste of baby arugula balances out when it’s combined with the sweetness of the dried figs and balsamic dressing in this delicious salad.
I love salads. There are so many ways to make them and so many things that you can add to them. You can make a big salad like this loaded chopped salad and serve it for a meal or you can make a simple and light one like this arugula and fig salad. It only has a few ingredients, and it’s one of our favorites.
Arugula and fig salad was inspired by a salad that caught my attention a few years ago on a local restaurant menu; baby arugula salad with dried figs, and goat cheese. I ordered it for lunch, and it was delivered to my table made with kale not arugula. I’m all about substituting ingredients that make sense, but kale does not even resemble arugula in any way other than the fact that they are both leafy greens. So I had to re-create this salad, and let me tell you, it tastes so much better with arugula.
What is a good substitute for arugula in this salad?
When I don’t have arugula to make this salad, I don’t use kale, even though I love it! I substitute in field greens or baby spinach. We love it served as a side dish with a grilled steak or beef stew. Here’s how to make it:
Arugula and Fig Salad with Goat Cheese
Baby arugula, figs, goat cheese make up this light and flavorful salad
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 cups baby arugula
- 6 to 8 Mission figs sliced
- ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese or blue cheese
- ½ cup chopped almonds
Balsamic Vinaigrette:
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove crushed garlic
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Place salad ingredients into a large bowl
- Add ½ of the dressing and toss
- Serve with extra dressing on the side
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 92Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 280mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 5g
Nutrition information is provided by an online calculator and is meant to be used for informational purposes only. Even though I try to provide accurate information, these figures should still be considered as estimates.
The fig is such a nice addition! I love a bite of sweetness in arugula salads.
My kids adore figs! They will love this!
I haven’t had figs in years! This salad sounds yummy. 🙂
Such a beautiful salad! Arugula and figs make a great pair.
This would be a great dish to serve at Thanksgiving. Looks wonderful.
This looks so tasty! I love salads for lunch and will be looking for this as a guide to make my own!
I love adding leaves to my salad and LOVE adding figs, goat cheese or feta. This looks so good. Love the balsamic dressing. Looks so yum.
I’ve never tried figs in a salad before! Great idea!
Goat cheese is my absolutely favorite and I love how simple this salad is! It’s so great for the holidays.
What a simple and flavorful healthy recipe for everyday. Thanks for sharing!
Lovely salad! I grow my own arugula, so am always looking for recipes that use it. Cannot believe the restaurant gave you kale though (that being said, I do love kale salads!). How silly.
This would be a great side dish! I love adding figs to salads!
Love the combination of mustardy, sharp arugula with sweet figs. I was lucky enough to have some fresh figs as well, so we threw those in.
Goat Cheese and arugula is a perfect combo and adding blackberries to add some sweetness to the sharp and tangy arugula-cheese mix is an inspired move! Perfect for fall!
This simple but tasty salad is perfect for any time of the year. The sweet dry figs and creamy cheese with the spicy arugula is flavor packed and easy to throw together. Love it!
Figs and goat’s cheese is such a great combination and with the peppery flavour of that arugula, I bet this tastes amazing!
I love salads too! Especially healthy and refreshing ones like this arugula and fig salad ! Goat cheese taste incredible here too
I like kale a lot, but I would go for the arugula in this as well!
Arugula is definitely one of my favorite greens! And also, genius to pair figs and goat cheese together in a salad! Total win!
oooh, figs and goat cheese on a salad . . . my fav!
Mmmmm, any salad with goat cheese is a salad I love. Adding the mission figs and balsamic vinaigrette dressing just takes this to another level.
Yum – I love simple and flavorful salads like this! This would be a great side dish for a holiday meal!
What a simple salad with out of this world flavor! I can’t wait to make this.
Nothing beats a simple, delicious, and stunning salad. This one is topping the list for all three 🙂