High Fructose Corn Syrup Free Fig & Zucchini Noodle Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
This salad is a stunning collision of sweet, peppery, and bright — fresh figs draped over spiralized zucchini noodles, baby arugula, and torn basil, all pulled together with a golden apple cider vinaigrette. The dressing is where this dish really shines: a quick whisk of apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, turmeric, ginger, and garlic creates something deeply flavorful without a drop of processed sweetener. That matters more than it might seem, because bottled dressings and store-bought salads are notorious hiding spots for corn syrup and its derivatives — here, every ingredient is clean and intentional. Salting the zucchini and squeezing out the excess moisture before tossing is a small but crucial step that keeps the noodles from going watery and diluting all that gorgeous dressing. The figs add a jammy, honeyed sweetness that feels almost indulgent for a salad, and the optional mint at the end lifts the whole thing with a cool, herby finish. It comes together quickly and looks like something you'd order at a farm-to-table restaurant, but it's entirely achievable at home with simple, whole ingredients.
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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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