Our Fig & Pistachio Salad blends sweet figs with crunchy pistachios in a delicious goat cheese salad! Rounded off with a tangy dressing in the form of an easy balsamic vinaigrette, you'll be craving this seasonal salad all year round!
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My friend brought this fig & pistachio salad to a dinner party and it was so good I had to ask her just how she put it together. It has tangy goat cheese and fresh salad greens with a homemade balsamic vinaigrette and it is a dish that's as good for your body as it is for your palate.
The two main ingredients of this delicious salad, figs and pistachios, have been a staple in culinary history for thousands of years, especially in Mediterranean cuisine, so it has got that flavor profile to it. It has quickly become my new favorite way to showcase some more uncommon salad ingredients and is especially ideal for late summer and early fall.
If you're looking for new recipes for salads with exciting flavor combinations, check out my Peach Panzanella Salad, Grilled Cactus and Corn Salad, Classic Bacon Broccoli Salad, Spring Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette, and Apple Salad with Candied Walnuts and Poppy Seed Dressing!
Why We Love This Recipe
- Fig & Pistachio Salad is visually stunning, with the vibrant colors of the figs and greens creating an unusual and inviting presentation.
- Whether you're a fan of peppery green arugula or prefer the mild taste of mixed salad greens, the recipe can be tweaked to suit your preference.
- It's quick and easy to prepare, making it a great way to elevate a busy weekday dinner or meal for a special occasion.
What You'll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Mixed Salad Greens - Provides a fresh and crisp base to the salad.
- Roasted Salted Pistachios - These add a crunchy, nutty element to the salad.
- Dried Figs - Figs bring a chewy sweetness to the salad.
- Goat Cheese - Adds a creamy, tangy contrast to the sweet figs and the crunchy pistachios.
- Kosher Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper - Seasons and enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Olive Oil - The smooth and rich texture forms the base of the dressing.
- Balsamic Vinegar - Provides a tangy sweetness that enhances these elements in the figs and goat cheese.
- Honey - Adds an extra touch of sweetness to balance the more tangy flavors.
How to Make Fig & Pistachio Salad with Easy Balsamic Dressing
- Make dressing. Whisk dressing ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Assemble salad. Add the salad greens to a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the greens and toss. Sprinkle with salt & pepper, to taste.
- Garnish and serve. Sprinkle the pistachios and figs over the salad. Crumble goat cheese on top. Serve immediately.
Recipe FAQ's
Fresh figs are a fantastic option when in season. They add a juicier and more vibrant flavor to the salad but will be less sweet than dried figs so you may want to add extra honey.
Serve alongside grilled meats like chicken, steak, or seafood such as salmon or shrimp. It's great as a side to a light pasta dish, perhaps one with a lemon or garlic-based sauce, and consider a quiche or a savory tart for a vegetarian option.
This homemade balsamic vinaigrette can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, but I'm guessing you'll use it all up sooner!
It's best to assemble the salad just before serving to maintain the freshness and crunch of the greens and nuts. However, the dressing can be prepared in advance.
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It's best consumed within a day.
Tips for Success
- Go for roasted, salted pistachios for a nice contrast of flavors. Make sure they are fresh and crunchy for the best taste.
- The salad greens should be fresh and crisp. If they're even slightly wilted, the overall quality of the salad will be affected.
- When combining the ingredients, toss them gently. This ensures that the greens don’t get bruised and the figs and pistachios are evenly distributed.
- For the best texture and flavor, serve the salad immediately after preparing it. This keeps the greens crisp and the nuts crunchy.
- A final sprinkle of freshly crumbled goat cheese and a few whole pistachios can add to the visual appeal of the dish.
Adjust to Taste
The dressing should have a good balance of sweet and tart. Taste and adjust the seasoning of the dressing before adding it to the salad.
And don't be afraid to adjust the salad ingredients to suit your taste as well. Add more or less of any ingredient to get the balance of flavors you prefer.
Substitutions and Variations
- If it's fig season and you can get your hands on some fresh figs, feel free to use them instead of dried figs for an even fresher flavor. They will naturally contain less sugar, so you may want to increase the amount of honey in the dressing to balance the flavors.
- Maple syrup or agave syrup can be used in place of honey.
- Feta cheese can be a good substitute if goat cheese isn't your preference. Blue cheese or shaved Parmesan can also pair nicely with the sweet figs and salty pistachios.
- If you want that crunchy nut texture but aren't that big on pistachios (or they're just not available) then try using almonds, walnuts, or pecans instead.
- Feel free to add other ingredients like avocado, chopped red onions, sun-dried tomatoes, or even grilled chicken for added texture and flavor.
- You can experiment with using other dressings like a lemon vinaigrette or honey and mustard dressing.
More Salad Recipes You’ll Love
- Watermelon Basil Feta Salad
- Chopped Kale Salad
- BLT Pasta Salad
- Grilled Corn Salad
- Caprese Salad
- Zucchini Salad
- Delicious Tex-Mex Doritos Taco Salad
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
Fig & Pistachio Salad with Easy Balsamic Dressing
Ingredients
Balsamic Dressing
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup honey
Salad
- 8 cups mixed salad greens
- ½ cup roasted salted pistachios, coarsely chopped
- ¾ cup dried figs, roughly chopped
- 4 ounces goat cheese
- Coarse kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Whisk dressing ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Add salad greens to a large serving bowl. Pour the dressing over the greens and toss. Sprinkle with salt & pepper, to taste.
- Sprinkle the pistachios and figs over the salad. Crumble goat cheese on top. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Make Ahead: Make the salad dressing ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge to be used the next day.
