Chicken Free Fig & Zucchini Noodle Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
This vibrant salad is a stunning mix of textures and flavors — silky zucchini noodles, peppery arugula, fragrant basil, and jammy fresh figs all brought together by a bright, golden apple cider vinaigrette. The dressing gets its warm depth from ground turmeric and ginger, balanced by honey and a hit of raw garlic, making every bite feel layered and intentional. Salting the zucchini first and squeezing out the excess moisture is the key step that keeps the noodles from going watery and diluting all that gorgeous dressing. It's entirely plant-based and built from whole, fresh ingredients, so there's nothing to second-guess on the label or swap out. The quartered figs are the real showstopper here — sweet, soft, and almost jewel-like against the green of the arugula and herbs. A scatter of torn mint at the end lifts the whole dish and makes it feel genuinely restaurant-worthy. Serve it immediately while the noodles still have a little bite and the figs are fresh and fragrant.
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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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