Celebrate autumn with this fresh, flavorful Fig + Goat Cheese Salad! Made with in-season figs and tangy goat cheese, this salad has the perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors. Paired with a simple yet delicious vinaigrette, it’s the perfect quick salad that will impress guests!
This is my kind of salad, 100%. Homemade, flavorful, and so pretty to look at! Now, I know that figs aren’t always everyone’s cup of tea, but you can’t deny that they’re gorgeous. They come in season around September or October, depending on where you live, and they’re such a treat when they’re fresh. I’m super lucky that my local farmstand carries figs grown in Connecticut.
I always wonder what it would be like to live in a different state, and try eat seasonally there. I love California, for example, and have traveled there a few times. What would it be like to cook and eat seasonally in CA? Obviously, this is a knowable question (meaning that the produce available there is well documented). But I do wonder what it would be like for me personally. I’m so used to my super-specific Connecticut produce that heralds in the change of the seasons. When I see figs, squash, and apples, it means it’s fall! I can’t imagine anything else. Well, I guess it’s **food for thought** (I’ll see myself out).
Anyways, I know you’ll love this Fig and Goat Cheese Salad! It’s got a little bit of everything, so that each bite is well-balanced. Enjoy!!
For more delicious autumn salads, try my Autumn Dense Bean Salad, my Butternut Squash Tortellini Salad, or this Perfect Thanksgiving Salad (which is really ideal for any fall meal!).
Fig + Goat Cheese Salad
Ingredients
The Vinaigrette
- 1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 1/2 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
- 1 Tsp Dijon Mustard
- 2 Tsp Honey
- 1/4 Tsp Salt or more to taste
- Fresh-Cracked Black Pepper to taste
The Salad
- 5 Cups Spinach gently packed (see notes)
- 2 oz Goat Cheese see notes
- 1/3 Cup Roasted and Salted Pecans chopped
- 1 Cup Fresh Figs cut into quarters
Instructions
- To start, make the vinaigrette. Combine all of the vinaigrette ingredients in a bowl and whisk until combined. Taste, and adjust seasonings to your preference.
- Prep your pecans by finely chopping them.
- Prep your figs by washing and drying them, then cutting them into quarters.
- Prep your goat cheese by cutting it (or tearing it with your hands) into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Add all of the salad ingredients to a large bowl. Start by pouring in 1/2 of the vinaigrette. Gently stir, taking care not to wilt the spinach too much, until everything is combined. From there, you can add more dressing as you like. Or, you can serve the dressing on the side.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- 5 cups is the amount of spinach in a standard tub you’ll see at a grocery store, about 5 oz. It doesn’t need to be super exact. You can measure the spinach by gently packing it into a measuring cup. However, don’t pack it to the point where you’re crushing the spinach.
- A standard block of goat cheese sold at the store is about 4 oz. In this recipe, I have you use half of that. You can always add more if you’d like!
- If you want to make this salad ahead of time, prep all of the ingredients separately, and store them separately. Assemble the salad just before serving. Since spinach can wilt quickly, this is the best way to go about it!
- Be sure to add more salt to the vinaigrette if you’d like.
Nutrition
Fig + Goat Cheese Salad FAQs
Can I make this Fig and Goat Cheese salad ahead of time?
You can definitely make the salad dressing ahead of time! Since the salad contains soft greens as the base, I don’t recommend putting the salad together until just before serving.
How can I store this salad?
I recommend storing all of the components of this salad separately until ready to serve.
Do you eat fig skin?
Yes, you can! It’s perfectly edible. Just make sure, like with any fruit, that you wash the figs before eating! That being said, fig skin can be a bit chewy, so you can remove it if you’d like.
Why does my tongue hurt after eating figs?
Well, you might have an allergy! Figs also contain an enzyme called ficain, which can irritate the mouth or tongue for some people. If this applies to you, try removing the skins of the fig first (they contain the most ficain) and see if that helps.
Are figs vegan?
Some people do not consider figs to be vegan because their growth is very dependent on the fig wasp (I’ll let you read more details here). However, pollinators are essential for the growth of most fruits and vegetables, so it’s a personal choice for most folks.
Is this a simple fig and goat cheese salad?
Yes, this is a very simple recipe! It actually doesn’t get much simpler. The hardest part is making the dressing, which is to say – not hard at all! :)
Is this recipe the same as Ottolenghi’s fig salad?
No, Ottolenghi’s fig salad is quite a bit different. His version contains different ingredients such as hazelnuts, cinnamon, watercress, and basil. I’ve never tried it, but it does sound very good!
Do fig and goat cheese go together? What pairs well with goat cheese in a salad?
Yes, they go great together! The soft tanginess of goat cheese pairs perfectly with the earthiness of figs.
What pairs well with goat cheese in a salad?
Goat cheese usually pairs well with sweet elements, like figs and honey, because it has a tangy flavor. The sweetness of fruit offsets that tang, creating a deliciously balanced bite.
P.S.
For more plant-forward recipes, dinner parties, and New England lifestyle inspiration, be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok! If you make a recipe, please tag me in the photo and use the hashtag #wellandfull so I can see! I love seeing your creations!
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