Arugula Fig and Walnut Salad

If you’re looking for a salad that feels elegant enough for guests but easy enough for a weekday lunch, this Arugula Fig and Walnut Salad checks every box. You may also like our Arugula and Beet Salad.

Why You'll Love This Arugula Fig and Walnut Salad

• Easy to assemble in 10 minutes
• Perfect balance of sweet, peppery, creamy, and crunchy flavors
• Nutrient-dense whole food plant-based ingredients
• Elegant enough for dinner parties or holiday meals
• Great for lunch or as a light dinner
• Customizable ingredients

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Peppery arugula pairs beautifully with naturally sweet figs, crunchy walnuts, creamy vegan feta, and thin slices of red onion. Tossed with a rich walnut dressing, this salad delivers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, creamy, and crunchy textures. It’s a simple, whole-food, plant-based dish that feels restaurant-worthy yet assembles in minutes.

Want more ways to add arugula to your routine? You may also like our Arugula Basil Pesto, which serves as the base for our Pesto Avocado Toast.

Health Benefits

• Arugula is a leafy green loaded with vitamin K, folate, and antioxidants. It belongs to the cruciferous vegetable family, which is associated with cancer-protective compounds.
• Walnuts are one of the best plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids (ALA). They support brain health, reduce inflammation, and add satisfying healthy fats. This recipe uses our Walnut Dressing and adds more nutty goodness for topping.
• Figs provide natural sweetness while delivering fiber, potassium, and polyphenol antioxidants that support heart health and digestion.

Key Ingredients

1. Arugula serves as the peppery base of the salad. Its slightly bitter flavor contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the figs and the richness of the walnuts. The tender leaves also provide a light, airy texture.
2. Figs add natural sweetness and chewiness. Fresh figs provide a delicate honey-like flavor, while dried figs bring deeper caramel notes and a slightly firmer texture. We used dried figs because of their year-round availability, but fresh figs work beautifully too.
3. Vegan feta adds creaminess and a tangy, salty contrast to the sweetness of the figs. It helps balance the flavors while giving the salad a more substantial texture. We used our homemade vegan feta made with tofu and marinated for 24 hours.

A full list of ingredients with exact amounts can be found on the recipe card below.

Substitutions and Variations

• Okay to swap homemade vegan feta for store-bought from a flavor standpoint. That said, store-bought tends to be higher in saturated fat with the addition of coconut oil and contains other additives. So, homemade will be healthier.
• Try our Blueberry Vinaigrette dressing in this salad. It's similar to our Walnut Dressing, but made with blueberries.
• Baby spinach, mixed greens, or kale can replace arugula if you prefer a less peppery flavor.
• Pecans or sliced almonds work well, too.
• Add in a cooked and cooled whole grain, like quinoa or farro, for a heartier salad. See our Arugula and Quinoa Salad for inspiration.

How to Make This Arugula Fig Walnut Salad

Step 1

Make ahead the homemade vegan feta cheese according to recipe instructions. You only need ½ cup for this recipe, so use the rest for our Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad.

Step 2

Make the walnut dressing according to recipe instructions.

Step 3

In a large bowl, add arugula, sliced figs, red onion, walnuts, and crumbled vegan feta.

Step 4

Gently stir ingredients to combine.

Step 5

Drizzle walnut dressing over the top, serve, and enjoy!

Expert Tips

1. Dress the salad just before serving for the best texture.
2. Toasting the walnuts in a dry skillet for 2 to 3 minutes enhances their flavor.
3. Slice figs thinly to distribute the sweetness evenly throughout the salad.
4. Start with a small amount of dressing and add more gradually to avoid overdressing the salad.

Serving Suggestions

1. Pair this salad with a bowl of our Vegan Minestrone Soup, Vegan Cream of Mushroom Soup, or White Bean and Kale Soup.
2. You can also serve this salad with brunch, paired with our Mushroom Avocado Toast or Pesto Avocado Toast, and a Kale Pineapple Smoothie.
3. Enjoy with a side of our Ancient Grains.
4. Make your meal experience fancy by sipping on our Italian Mocktail or Grapefruit Mocktail.

Arugula Fig Walnut Salad Recipe FAQs

This meal proves that a simple salad can still feel special. The peppery greens, naturally sweet figs, crunchy walnuts, creamy vegan feta, and rich walnut dressing create a beautiful balance of flavors and textures in every bite.

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