This Fig and Goat Cheese Salad balances sweet fresh figs, tangy goat cheese and crispy bacon with a simple balsamic maple vinaigrette that pulls everything together. It's an easy, elegant salad that feels special enough for entertaining but simple enough to throw together for a weeknight dinner in late summer or early fall.
One of the things I was most excited about when we moved into our house in Texas was the giant fig tree in the backyard (even if I didn't realize I'd be battling squirrels for every ripe fig). Still, it's completely worth it for simple, seasonal fig recipes like this one that really let fresh figs shine.
This fig salad is especially great because it's flexible and forgiving: start with figs, goat cheese, and bacon, then use whatever greens, nuts, or extras you have on hand. It's an easy way to turn peak-season figs into a fresh, flavorful salad that works just as well for a casual weeknight as it does for entertaining. While I love it with this homemade balsamic maple vinaigrette, it's also great with this lemon honey dressing or really any tangy sweet vinaigrette. Enjoy!
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Equipment
My favorite way to make salad dressings and vinaigrettes is simply to combine all of the ingredients in a mason jar with a lid and then shake it up.
However, if you prefer you can always whisk this dressing up in a mixing bowl or I also like this Oxo Good Grips Salad Dressing Shaker for easy measuring and pouring.
You will also need a serving bowl, cutting board with a sharp knife and a way to cook the bacon. You can use a skillet, air fryer or bake it in the oven.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- Arugula and mixed greens: I like using a combination of baby arugula and mixed greens but you can use your favorite lettuce combination.
- Fresh figs: I usually use about 6 fresh figs for this recipe.
- Bacon: I recommend using 2-3 pieces but if you really love bacon the sky is the limit.
- Goat cheese: Plain goat cheese works great for this recipe. I've also used an orange and honey infused goat cheese and it was delicious too.
- Red onion: You'll want to slice this as thinly as possible. A shallot also works great.
- Salted pistachios: I think pistachios are a highly underrated salad nut and these salted ones are delicious in this salad. But if you prefer you can also use walnuts, pecans, almonds or even a candied nut for extra sweetness.
- Chives (optional)
For the dressing
- Olive oil: Be sure to use a good quality olive oil.
- Balsamic vinegar: Again, good quality is key here for the best flavor.
- Maple syrup: Check the label to make sure you are using pure syrup rather than pancake syrup.
- Dried thyme: You could also use fresh if preferred.
- Garlic clove
- Salt & Pepper
Tips for dressing the salad.
For this recipe I'm using a half serving of my Maple Balsamic Dressing. There will be a little leftover that will stay good in the fridge for about a week. If you want to change things up this Lemon Honey Dressing is also delicious. Or in a pinch you can use your favorite bottled dressings. Anything thats a good mix of sweet and tangy will work.
Recipe FAQs
Fresh figs really are best for this salad because of their soft texture and juicy sweetness, but dried figs will work in a pinch. If using dried figs, slice them thinly and consider soaking them briefly in warm water to soften them before adding to the salad.
Any variety of fresh figs works well here, including Black Mission figs, Brown Turkey figs, or Adriatic figs. The key is using ripe figs that are soft to the touch but not mushy.
If you're not a fan of goat cheese, feta or blue cheese both work nicely with figs and bacon. For a milder option, fresh mozzarella or burrata can also be used, though the flavor will be less tangy.
Grilled chicken, seared steak, or prosciutto all pair beautifully with figs and goat cheese and turn this salad into a satisfying main dish.
More fig recipes for you to enjoy.
Fig Jam & Goat Cheese Crostini with Prosciutto
Fig, Lemon and Sage Olive Oil Cake
Made this Fig and Goat Cheese Salad recipe? Let me know what you think in the comments!
Recipe
Fig and Goat Cheese Salad
Equipment
- serving bowl
Ingredients
For the salad
- 3 slices of bacons, diced and cooked
- 2 cups baby arugula
- 2 cups mixed greens
- 5 fresh figs, cut into ¼ths You can also cut into ⅙ths if the figs are especially large.
- 2 oz goat cheese
- 2 tablespoon salted pistachios
- 2 tablespoon red onion, thinkly sliced
- 1 tablespoon chives, finely diced
For the dressing
- ¼ cup olive oil, good quality
- 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, good quality
- 1 tbsp maple syrup add more or less to taste
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- salt & pepper
Instructions
Make the dressing
- Combine all dressing ingredients in a mason jar with a lid (or small mixing bowl with a whisk).Screw the lid on tight and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds until well combined.*Alternatively you can whisk the ingredients together until emulsified.*
Assemble the salad
- Cook bacon pieces until crisp and cool on a paper towel lined plate. Add baby arugula and mixed greens and a large serving bowl. Arrange fig pieces over the top. Then pinch small pieces from the goat cheese log and place around the figs. Sprinkle on onions, pistachios and chives. Then add the bacon pieces. Drizzle on the balsamic maple dressing and serve. Enjoy!
- Note: This recipe makes a bit more dressing than you will need. Refrigerate the extra and use within a week.
Kristine
I really loved this salad. It's so light and flavorful - I'll make it again, thank you!
Sonia
This salad is so delicious and flavorful! Great recipe - thank you so much!!
Andrea
Big fan of the fig and goat cheese combination and am excited to try it in this fabulous salad.
Cathleen
This salad is calling my name! Thank you so much for sharing, I am definitely giving this a go tonight!
Tayler
I made this salad for dinner last night with some grilled chicken and OMG was it delicious! The sweetness of the fig balanced perfectly with the goat cheese
Justine
This was super delicious! The figs and goat cheese is such a great combination.
Charah
Bursting with flavors and textures, every bite is a delightful combination of sweet, juicy flavors. Thanks for sharing
Vicky
I love the sweet flavor of figs and they go perfectly with the creamy goat cheese in this easy salad. This is delicious for lunch or dinner.
Kevin M
Not sure why the directions say balsamic maple dressing when there is no maple in the dressing ingredients, but it is confusing as written. Seemed fine as is. We added peaches and the salad was excellent (without maple, plenty of sweetness from figs and peaches)).
jamjarkitchen
Hi Kevin - There should be 1 tbsp of maple syrup in the dressing. Glad you enjoyed the salad!
Lizzie
We made this for a dinner party last night. EVERY bite of the double recipe was eaten, This is one of the best salads I have eaten. I did slight crush the pistachios and added some butter lettuce from garden in addition to what it called for!
jamjarkitchen
Hi Lizzie - So glad y'all liked it!
Terri Hale French
Great salad--I roasted my figs at 350 for 15 minutes with a little brown sugar, cinnamon and rosemary. Instead of bacon I crisped up some prosciutto and for a little extra zing added a tablespoon of dijon mustard to the dressing. Perfect!
jamjarkitchen
Hi Terri- Sounds delicious! Glad you enjoyed!