Artificial Food Coloring Free Fig & Zucchini Noodle Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
This vibrant noodle salad is a stunning mix of textures and flavors — tender spiralized zucchini, peppery arugula, fragrant basil, and jammy fresh figs all brought together with a bright, golden vinaigrette. The dressing gets its warm color naturally from ground turmeric and ginger, with apple cider vinegar and honey rounding out every bite with a sweet-tangy punch. Every single ingredient here is whole and real, so there's no need to squint at a label hunting for synthetic dyes or artificial additives hiding in a bottled dressing. Salting and draining the zucchini first is a small but smart step that keeps the noodles from going watery and ensures the vinaigrette actually clings to everything. The figs are the real showstopper — their honeyed, almost wine-like sweetness plays beautifully against the sharpness of the arugula and vinegar. It comes together quickly and looks impressive enough to serve to guests, but it's genuinely easy enough for a weeknight dinner or a packed lunch.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 3 medium zucchini (about 1 ½ lb total), ends trimmed
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- 8 fresh figs, quartered
- 2 cups baby arugula
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, torn
For the vinaigrette
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- 1 small clove garlic, finely grated
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, torn (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Spiralize the zucchini into long noodles using a spiralizer, or draw a vegetable peeler lengthwise along each zucchini to create wide ribbons. Place the noodles in a colander set over the sink, toss with 1/2 tsp salt, and let stand for 10 minutes until the noodles have released some moisture and softened slightly.
- 2
While the zucchini drains, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, turmeric, ginger, garlic, and 1/4 tsp salt in a small bowl until the honey is fully dissolved and the dressing is uniform in color.
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