In my family, a side salad is almost a daily staple. We enjoy it with nearly every meal, except for some soups or certain dishes like tacos, where the vegetables are already part of the table spread. Over the years, I’ve grown fond of experimenting with different combinations of lettuce varieties, fresh vegetables, and herbs. A simple salad can become extraordinary when you thoughtfully mix textures, colors, and flavors.
This Easy Side Salad with Figs & Grapes & Sweet Vinaigrette is a perfect example. It’s fresh, vibrant, and quick to prepare, making it ideal for weeknight dinners. The addition of figs and grapes gives it a naturally sweet note, which pairs beautifully with savory mains. I served it alongside a simple grilled chicken and roasted potatoes dinner, and it added a refreshing, colorful touch to the plate.
Mixing Greens, Fruits, and Herbs
I love mixing different types of lettuce for both flavor and texture, some tender, some crisp, and some slightly bitter. Cherry tomatoes and cucumber add crunch and juiciness, while figs and grapes bring a sweet contrast that balances the salad perfectly. Fresh herbs, such as basil and flat-leaf parsley, elevate the flavor, giving it a subtle aromatic complexity.
The key to a great salad is balance. I usually combine a neutral green base with something sweet, something crunchy, and herbs that bring freshness. Depending on the main course, I adjust the salad’s fruitiness or acidity. This particular salad I made as a side for a simple grilled chicken and roasted potatoes dinner. The vibrant colors in this salad make it appealing to the eye, inviting everyone at the table to dig in.
Crafting the Sweet Vinaigrette
My go-to dressing is simple: olive oil, a splash of vinegar or citrus juice, a little sweetener, and salt. Sometimes I add black pepper for a gentle kick. For fruit-forward salads like this one, I sometimes enjoy making a slightly sweeter vinaigrette to highlight the figs and grapes. In this recipe, a combination of olive oil, raspberry or apple cider vinegar, agave syrup, and a pinch of salt brings all the flavors together beautifully.
This salad is quick to assemble and versatile. You can substitute figs with seasonal fruits or switch up the herbs according to your taste. It’s a fresh, healthy side that works with a variety of meals. It is perfect for anyone who, like me, enjoys having a salad on the table almost every night.
It also pairs wonderfully with richer mains such as Chicken Chanterelle Pasta or Smoked Salmon, or Whole Roasted Chicken, balancing flavors and adding freshness to the plate. For a more complete meal, serve it alongside homemade breads like Sourdough Focaccia, Rustic No-Knead Bread Rolls or Crispy Seed Crispbread to round out the table. This combination makes weeknight dinners feel special while staying simple, healthy, and full of color.
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Easy Side Salad with Figs & Grapes & Sweet Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed lettuce leaves
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cucumber thinly sliced
- 2 fresh figs sliced or quartered
- ½ cup dark grapes halved
- 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves torn
- 2 tbsp flat-leaf parsley chopped
Vinaigrette:
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp raspberry vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp agave syrup
- Pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Wash and dry the lettuce leaves, then tear them into bite-sized pieces.
- Prepare the tomatoes, cucumber, figs, and grapes.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, agave, and salt until smooth.
- Place lettuce in a large serving bowl. Add tomatoes, cucumber, figs, grapes, and herbs.
- Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently just before serving.
