This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Fresh Fig, Prosciutto, and Arugula Salad with Cherry Tomato Vinaigrette. Summer salads are the BEST, and this one is so simple, yet so good. Fresh figs, arugula, basil, prosciutto, and burrata cheese, tossed with a delicious cherry tomato vinaigrette. Simple, delicious, and so perfect for summer!
Hey, hi and happy (super simple) Thursday! I just have to say that I am loving these super simple Thursday recipes. I also have to say that I’m loving summer and all of its produce even more. Anyone else in the same boat?
So here’s the deal. I always start my day with a good to-do list to help keep me on track. I know what emails need to be sent, what recipes need to be made and photographed, and what needs to happen on the HBH social channels. On days when I’m cooking, it can go one of two ways. Either I’m very prepared and I know exactly what I am making, or I have not a clue what I’m making and I need to find a little inspiration before I start my day in the kitchen.
More times than not I’ll have a pretty good idea of what I want to make, or at least what kind of recipe I want to make, but sometimes I like to let the ingredients that are exciting me most lead the way, and that’s what happened with this salad.
My dad showed up at my house the other day with a couple of fruit boxes full of fresh figs from Whole Foods and I could not have been more excited. I always love when figs show up at the market, but I never actually know when that’s going to happen, since fig season is short and can be a little spotty, especially up here in the mountains.
Anyway, I had a bunch of fresh figs and no plans for them. I could have totally just eaten them all myself, because I love a good raw fig, but I knew I wanted to do something fun with them.
I went back and forth on a few ideas, but in the end I decided on this salad, because well it’s kind of classic, it’s also kind of different and I love that.
Let me explain. A lot of times you’ll see figs salads that consist of fresh figs, arugula, burrata cheese, and a balsamic vinaigrette. They’re simple and good, but honestly? It’s not that exciting, and it’s been done many times over.
I wanted to create something new, because that’s always my goal when I share recipes with you guys, but something with my own fresh spin on it.
Enter this salad. It’s old meets new. It’s light and fresh, and it’s so good!
Here are the details.
It all starts with the cherry tomato vinaigrette, which is the secret to this recipe. If you’ve never had a tomato vinaigrette, I’m so excited to be the one to introduce you. The dressing ingredients are a simple combination of olive oil, cherry tomatoes, garlic, herbs, lemon, and balsamic vinegar, slow cooked on the stove until the tomatoes burst and release their juices. It’s takes about ten minutes to make and is truly the most delicious vinaigrette you can put on a salad.
It’s so good that you should make extra and use it not only on your salads, but for dipping bread, or as a base for your next pasta dish. It’s so versatile.
While the vinaigrette is cooking, toss together the salad. You’ll need lots of arugula, fresh basil, sweet figs, fresh mozzarella or burrata cheese, and prosciutto slices. When the vinaigrette is ready, you can let it cool or serve it warm spooned over top the salad. I love it warm, but that’s to be expected from me, as I almost always prefer warm food. Even in the summer.
And done.
Honest you guys, this is one of the best salad recipes, it has ten ingredients, takes less than thirty minutes to make, and uses in-season summer produce. I’m really not sure it gets better.
Also, if you wanted to take the salad a step further, try crisping the prosciutto in a skillet and then adding it to the salad. I did this after photos and oh my gosh, it was so good. Crispy prosciutto is always a winner with me…DO THIS.
Now, I know that figs are not the most loved fruit out there, but I really think if more people would give them a try, they might find that they really love them…
So guys, if you think you don’t like figs, could you just give them a try? Maybe in this salad…please?
I think you may just surprise yourself!
If you make this fig, prosciutto, and arugula salad, please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love hearing from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every one of you. Oh, and of course, if you do make this salad, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram so I can see! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Fresh Fig, Prosciutto, and Arugula Salad with Cherry Tomato Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups small cherry tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic smashed
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
- the rind from 1 lemon thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 4 cups baby arugula
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 8 fresh figs, quartered
- 8 ounces buffalo mozzarella or burrata cheese, torn
- 3 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto (I prefer crisping it)
Instructions
- 1. Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil, tomatoes, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, oregano, lemon rind, balsamic, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook until the tomatoes just begin to burst and the garlic is fragrant, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. 2. In a salad bowl, combine the arugula, basil, and figs. Top with torn burrata and prosciutto. Spoon the tomato vinaigrette over the salad. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
What could I substitute for the figs? I plan on making this tomorrow however can’t find fresh figs right now. Pears perhaps?
Hey Gween,
Sure, pears or even peaches would be delicious here! I hope the recipe turns out amazing for you. Please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Can you use dried figs if you can’t find fresh ones?
Hey Lynne,
Yes, that would be just fine to do. I hope you love the salad, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
This looks amazing and I would like to make for Christmas dinner. Of course figs are not in season. Any recommendations for substitutes?
Hey Sue,
I think any other veggie you love will work well here! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This looks delicious! Could you please tell me what the estimated nutrition information is?
Hi Eva! I am really sorry but I do not calculate the nutritional information! I just try to use whole foods and believe in balance! I hope you understand! xTieghan
A delicious salad. As an Italian who uses these ingredients regularly I have never used them together. Both my husband and I ate this tonight for dinner as our main course. It was filling and had a wonderful flavor. I cut the ingredient amounts in half for 2 people and we were very satisfied. I look forward to making more of your recipes.
I am so happy this turned out so well for you, Debra! Thank you for trying it! xTieghan
This salad is amazingly delicious. It’s a great showcase for ripe figs. I adjust the tomato vinaigrette to taste, and I like squishing the tomatoes so that the juices run out and reduce.
Thank you so much Angela! xTieghan
Doesn’t 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes make the dressing very “hot” ?
Hi there! It’s a little spicy, but not overly so. Please use however much you feel you can handle. Just start with a pinch and then add more to your taste. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much!! xTieghan
wow, fresh fig, prosciutto, and arugula salad with cherry tomato vinaigrette looks delicious and very attractive, thank you for sharing
Thank you!
This “tomato vinaigrette” recipe is amazing! Surprisingly though, my family has been doing this for ages with fried aubergine and peppers, exact same recipe except with red grape vinegar 🙂 just didn’t know if I should call it vinaigrette! Very popular in Mediterranean Alexandria
Will try the salad once I get my hands on fresh figs
Thank you so much Shereen! I am so glad you like this and hope you love it even more with some fresh figs!
We had it tonight for dinner. We both loved it. I used peaches as I couldn’t get figs in my Ontario town.
I did post on Instagram
Hi Kim! I am so glad you loved this salad and peaches sound like they would be amazing with this!
I love simple summer recipes and this salad is a beauty!!
Thank you so much!
Looks amazing!
Not related to this recipe, but have you ever looked into jackfruit? I’ve heard it’s tasty, and good as a vegan substitute for pulled pork.
You should try your own fig rolls (newtons)! I bet those would be great homemade.
Rachel xx
Thank you so much! I have not experimented much with it, but maybe I will try it out!
Swoon. Love this salad and you’ve sold me on the tomato vinaigrette. I can’t wait to make it!
Thank you so much Danielle!
This salad looks like another winner, Tieghan! Crispy prosciutto all the way!
Thank you so much Yolanda!
I am thrilled to see this recipe because I have a tree full of figs that are ready to ripen any minute! And the salad has all my favorite things: prosciuto, arugula and tomatoes. I wish you lived near me so I could give you some of my figs …
Wow that is so amazing! I hope you try this recipe and love it! Thank you so much Vickie!