Emulsifier Free Fig & Watermelon Radish Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
This salad is a showstopper — jewel-toned watermelon radish slices fanned over peppery arugula, with jammy quartered figs and bright torn mint making every bite feel like something you'd order at a fancy bistro. The dressing is where things get really smart: apple cider vinegar, raw honey, ground ginger, and sea salt are whisked together before olive oil is streamed in, creating a naturally cohesive vinaigrette without a single additive or stabilizer in sight. Most store-bought dressings rely on emulsifying agents to hold everything together, so making your own from scratch is the cleanest, most straightforward workaround. The ingredients here are all whole and recognizable, which means you get bold flavor without any of the label-reading anxiety. Slicing the radishes paper-thin on a mandoline is the one technique worth paying attention to — that translucency is what makes the magenta interior glow against the greens. Serve it immediately after dressing so the arugula stays crisp and the figs hold their shape. It's the kind of salad that looks like you spent hours on it but comes together in minutes.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 2 medium watermelon radishes, trimmed
- 8 fresh figs, stemmed and quartered
- 4 cups baby arugula
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, torn
For the vinaigrette
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp raw honey
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
For serving
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, thinly sliced (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Using a mandoline or a sharp knife, slice the watermelon radishes into rounds about 1/16-inch thick, thin enough to be translucent at the edges and show their magenta interior.
- 2
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, honey, ground ginger, and sea salt until the honey dissolves. Drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously until the dressing is emulsified and slightly thickened.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!