Fig & Goat Cheese Salad Recipe
	
	
		A refreshing and vibrant Fig & Goat Cheese Salad featuring a tangy citrus dressing, fresh baby greens, sweet figs, crisp honeycrisp apple, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy candied pecans. Perfect as a light lunch or elegant starter.
	 
	
		
							- Author: Mila
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
 
	
		
		
			Dressing
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, unfiltered apple cider vinegar, or champagne vinegar
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- ⅓ cup fresh orange juice (from about 2 large oranges)
- 2 teaspoons honey, warmed
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons minced shallots
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Salad
- 5 ounces baby spinach (about 4 cups)
- 5 ounces baby arugula (about 3 cups)
- 8 ounces fresh figs, halved
- 4 ounces crumbled goat cheese
- 1 large honeycrisp apple, sliced or diced
- 1 cup candied pecans, homemade or store bought
- ¼ cup minced chives (optional)
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
 
	 
	
		
		
			
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, your choice of vinegar (white wine, unfiltered apple cider, or champagne), grated orange zest, fresh orange juice, warmed honey, Dijon mustard, minced shallots, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper until the mixture is fully emulsified and well combined.
- Prepare the salad: In a large bowl, combine the baby spinach, baby arugula, halved fresh figs, crumbled goat cheese, sliced or diced honeycrisp apple, and candied pecans. Add minced chives if using. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly. Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with additional freshly cracked black pepper as desired before serving.
 
	 
	
		Notes
		
			
- For best flavor, use fresh and ripe figs when in season.
- Candied pecans can be substituted with walnuts or almonds if preferred.
- Honeycrisp apples provide a crisp texture and sweetness, but Granny Smith or Fuji apples are good alternatives.
- This salad is best served immediately after tossing to maintain the crispness of the greens.
- To make candied pecans at home, toast pecans lightly and coat them with sugar and a pinch of salt.
- Adjust the honey quantity in the dressing if you prefer it more or less sweet.
 
	 
	
		Keywords: fig salad, goat cheese salad, fruit and greens salad, healthy salad, fall salad, fig and goat cheese, honeycrisp apple salad, candied pecans salad