This fresh fig salad with feta, prosciutto ham and arugula is a delicious combination of sweet and savory flavors that come together effortlessly. It’s quick and easy to make with the freshest of ingredients which are then drizzled with an olive oil and balsamic dressing.

grey plate with fig salad prosciutto feta cheese arugula with fresh figs to the side

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Why you’ll love this fig recipe

Figs are one of the oldest cultivated fruits and have been typically used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine for many years. It’s a very versatile ingredient and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes, and they are lovely both fresh and dried.

Figs are currently embraced by many cultures and used in their different types of cuisines. Many people nowadays grow fig trees in their garden and can make use of delicious fresh figs. The main season is from late summer into early fall, typically from August to October, depending on climate, geographic location and variety.

This arugula salad paired with ripe, juicy figs is a celebration of late summer and early fall produce, with each ingredient delivering its own unique taste. Perfect to serve as a light lunch, appetizer or side dish, this salad is not only a celebration of flavors but also beautiful and elegant to present.

fresh figs on a blue plate and a few quartered fresh figs with a knife

Fig salad ingredients

Figs: Opt for fresh figs that are ripe and juicy with a delicious sweet flavor. Ripe figs are soft to the touch and have a tender texture.
Arugula: Use fresh and tender arugula leaves, also known as rocket salad. The peppery leaves combine great with the sweet figs and salty prosciutto. However, as an alternative, you can use a combination of other lettuce leaves or baby spinach.
Prosciutto: Use thinly sliced prosciutto (Italian dry-cured ham) or any other dry-cured ham like Spanish Serrano or French Bayonne ham.
Feta cheese: Get a block of fresh feta cheese, which you can either cut into cubes or crumble yourself, rather than using pre-crumbled feta cheese. If the latter is all you have or can find, you can use that instead. However, a block of feta typically has a firmer texture and a richer flavor than pre-crumbled feta.
Olive oil: For the dressing use a good quality extra virgin olive oil with a fruity flavor for the best result.
Balsamic vinegar: To add a complex, sweet and tangy flavor to the salad which pairs wonderfully with the other ingredients. Use any other mild vinegar as a substitute like apple cider, white wine or sherry vinegar.
Salt and Pepper: Kosher or maldon salt and freshly ground pepper for seasoning.

Which dressing to use

The best dressing for this fig and prosciutto salad is a Mediterranean-style dressing with a base of olive oil and mild vinegar. Avoid using ready-made, creamy salad dressings as they can overshadow the existing delicate, subtle flavor combinations of the salad.

Instead, make a light vinaigrette or dressing that highlights and complements the flavors of the salad ingredients. Even a high quality extra virgin olive oil with a rich and fruity taste can be sufficient for this salad.

I have chosen for a balsamic dressing made with extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Simply whisk together and drizzle over the salad. Alternatively you might consider this honey mustard vinaigrette or just a thick and sweet balsamic reduction, homemade of course.

Recipe variations

To add different flavors or more texture to this salad, consider using these recipe variations and substitutes:

Switch the Cheese: Substitute the feta with creamy goats cheese, blue cheese, mozzarella or burrata.
Nuts: Make it crunchy with walnuts, pecanuts, hazelnuts or pine nuts.
Caesar salad inspired: Top with croutons or Parmesan cheese shavings.
Protein: Make a variation with other types of dry-cured ham, like Spanish Serrano, French Bayonne or German Black Forest ham. Crispy bacon or pancetta will also work great.

More delicious fig recipes to try

If you love figs, you will definitely will want to try these other fig recipes:

Fig and ricotta tartlets: Elegant puff pastry appetizers topped with fresh figs and ricotta.
Fresh figs and feta salad: A delightful salad with thinly sliced figs, feta and pomegranate seeds.
Warm blue cheese and fig bruschetta: A different take on bruschetta with melted blue cheese and caramelized figs.

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