Soy Free Fig & Zucchini Noodle Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
This salad is a stunning combination of sweet, peppery, and bright — fresh figs bring jammy richness, zucchini noodles add a light, satisfying bite, and baby arugula keeps everything lively. The apple cider vinaigrette is whisked together with olive oil, honey, turmeric, and ginger, giving it a warm golden hue and a flavor that's tangy without being sharp. Salting and draining the zucchini before tossing is a small but crucial step that keeps the dressing from getting watered down, so every forkful stays bold and well-coated. Torn basil and optional fresh mint round out the herbs, making the whole bowl feel garden-fresh and a little unexpected. Because every ingredient here is whole and unprocessed, there's no need to scan labels for hidden soy derivatives — no soy-based emulsifiers, no tamari, nothing lurking in a bottled dressing. It comes together quickly and looks genuinely impressive on the table, which makes it a great choice for a light lunch or a side dish that steals the show.
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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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