This Vanilla Fig Balsamic Dressing is a delicious vegan salad dressing recipe, perfect for fall salads. We love it on our Pear Salad!
In my dream, the angel shrugged and said, if we fail this time, it will be a failure of imagination and then she placed the world gently in the palm of my hand.
Brian Andreas
This Vanilla Fig Salad Dressing makes me happy in two ways. First, it’s just delicious. Plain and simple. Total yum….. especially paired with fall salads that need a little sweetness- like Apple salads or this Pear Salad.
Second, it’s a great way to use up fig jam. If you are a cheese platter kind of person (like me), it’s more than likely you have an open jar of fig jam in your fridge ( and if you don’t, you need to!). This recipe takes full advantage of that.
It’s ridiculously easy and you’ll love it. I promise. The vanilla is divine here. Homemade salad dressings are a simple way to really elevate your salads. This dressing is featured on this addicting Pear Salad with Vanilla Fig Dressing, give it a try!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Vanilla Fig Dressing!
- Delicious Flavor: The combination of sweet fig jam, tangy balsamic vinegar, and aromatic vanilla creates a unique and delightful taste. It adds a burst of flavor to your salads and other dishes.
- Versatile: Vanilla Fig Dressing is extremely versatile. It can be used for various purposes, such as dressing salads, dipping sauces, or marinades. You can even use it as a condiment for sandwiches and wraps!
- Easy to Make: Making Vanilla Fig Dressing is incredibly simple. All you have to do is whisk together the ingredients in a bowl, and you’ll have a tasty dressing ready to go.
- Pairs Well with Fall Salads: This dressing is particularly well-suited for fall salads. Its sweetness complements ingredients like apples, pears, and roasted vegetables, adding a perfect touch to your autumn-inspired dishes.
- Great Use for Fig Jam: If you have a jar of fig jam sitting in your fridge, Vanilla Fig Dressing is a fantastic way to put it to good use. It maximizes the flavor of the fig jam and creates a tangy and sweet dressing.
Give Vanilla Fig Dressing a try and experience its deliciousness and versatility for yourself!
Ingredients in Fig Balsamic Dressing
Ingredients Notes
- Olive Oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Opt for a high-quality balsamic vinegar, as it will make a difference in the taste of the dressing.
- Vanilla: Use pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste for a rich and aromatic flavor.
- Fig Jam: Look for a high-quality fig jam that is not overly sweet and has minimal ingredients.
- Salt and Pepper: Season the dressing to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Garlic Clove: Adding a minced garlic clove can add a subtle savory note to the dressing. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can substitute with minced shallot instead.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to make Fig Balsamic Dressing
Simply whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl. For bigger batches, use a blender.
The fig dressing will keep up to 10 days in the fridge, or can be frozen.
Fig dressing is versatile! Here are some fun ideas on what fig dressing is good on:
- Salads: The sweet and tangy flavors of fig dressing complement leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables. Try it on green salads, mixed fruit salads, or even grain salads.
- Cheese Platters: Fig dressing pairs wonderfully with cheese, especially soft or creamy varieties. Drizzle it over a cheese platter or use it as a dipping sauce for cheese and crackers.
- Sandwiches/Wraps: Add a unique twist to your sandwiches or wraps by spreading fig dressing as a condiment. It adds a burst of flavor that enhances both vegetarian and meat-based fillings.
- Roasted Vegetables: Toss roasted vegetables with fig dressing before serving to add richness and depth of flavor. It works well with roasted carrots, butternut squash, or Brussels sprouts.
- Grilled Meats: Use fig dressing as a glaze or marinade for grilled meats such as chicken, pork, or lamb. The sweetness of the figs complements the savory flavors of the meat.
- Pizza Topping: Instead of traditional tomato-based sauce, try spreading fig dressing on your pizza dough. It creates a delightful sweet and savory combination with cheese and other toppings.
Feel free to get creative and use fig dressing in any way that appeals to you. Experiment with different dishes and discover your favorite combinations!
Fig Balsamic Dressing FAQS
Fig dressing has a unique and delicious flavor profile. The combination of sweet fig jam, tangy balsamic vinegar, and aromatic vanilla creates a harmonious blend of flavors. The fig jam adds a subtle sweetness and fruity undertones, while the balsamic vinegar adds a tangy and slightly acidic taste. The vanilla adds a warm and aromatic note to the dressing. A balance of sweet, tangy, and aromatic flavors making it a delightful addition to salads.
Yes, you can use white balsamic vinegar as a substitute for regular balsamic vinegar in the Vanilla Fig Dressing recipe. White balsamic vinegar has a lighter and slightly sweeter flavor compared to regular balsamic vinegar. The overall taste will be affected slightly, but it should still work well with the other ingredients.
Figs are a nutritious fruit that can be beneficial for your health. They are a good source of dietary fiber, which can help promote healthy digestion and prevent constipation. Figs also contain vitamins and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Additionally, figs contain antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation and protect against certain diseases.
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Fig Balsamic Dressing
- Prep Time: 7
- Total Time: 7 minutes
- Yield: ⅓. cup
- Category: dressings, salad dressing
- Method: whisked
- Cuisine: american
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Fig Balsamic Dressing is infused with vanilla and is perfect for fall salads: pear salads or apple salads. Vegan and Gluten-free.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fig jam
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 –1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 garlic clove, (optional) finely minced, or sub 1 tablespoon finely minced shallot
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together – olive oil, balsamic vinegar, vanilla, fig jam, salt pepper, and optional garlic clove, in a small bowl, taking care to break up all the jam bits.
- Taste, if you prefer it sweeter, add more fig jam to taste. Add more salt to taste.
- Makes 1/3 cup. Enough to coat 5 ounces of salad greens. I usually make a double batch.
Notes
Store in the fridge for up to 10 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 83
- Sugar: 3.7 g
- Sodium: 197.8 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 5.5 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 0.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Fantastic dressing! There’s a chili version of that jam that would be spectacular as well!
That sounds yummy Mimi!
This is my favorite dressing.
Yay!
I love this dressing, and have made it many times before. Last night, I reached for the fig jam… and didn’t have any. So, I reached for the organic blueberry preserves instead.
Delicious! I might try apricot preserves next.
Oooo…the possibilities! Love the improvising!
We have made this dressing and it is as good as it sounds. We follow your site and get so many great recipes. As a cardiac patient, I remove or greatly reduce all sodium. Flavors shine through without salt for us. We are printing this one and adding as a regular.
So glad you are enjoying Paul! Best of health to you.
I only have vanilla in pods. Should I use one vanilla pod?
I would start with one. You want to be able to taste it, in the dressing, so you may need to add another one afterwards.
Great dressing with a very unique flavor. Love it! One question – when you first load the web page the recipe calls for 1 tsp vanilla, but if you use the doubling function, it changes to ½ tsp. Which is correct? I used ½ tsp for a double batch & it was yummy. Thanks!
Oh dear. I see that. Something is wrong with the multiplier. Sorry about that.
It seems a little salty and not as sweet as I’d expected. I would use less salt and maybe a sweeter balsamic vinegar if I made it again.
Hummmm, sorry about that Leslie- did you use fig jam?
Best salad ever!! Pear salad with vanilla fig dressing is perfection! Dates and apples can be substituted in a pinch.
Thanks Ann! Glad you liked it!
I’ve made this dressing multiple times over the last year and have loved it every time. It’s so easy to make and turns any salad in to something special. I definitely recommend.
thanks Lisa!
Wonderful flavors! Better than restaurant salads! Everyone will love this special dressing.
Thanks Janet!
Would strawberry jam work in this recipe? If I use dried figs with sweetener added would that work?
I think either would work. If using dried figs- if they are really dry- maybe soak in hot water to soften first.
Recipes depend upon dedication,without dedication, tasty food can never be made.
Can you use something else then fig jam? i.e. another type of jam or fresh figs?
Another type of jam should work fine. Fresh figs won’t have enough sweetness here. Dried figs may work, reconstituted, and you may need to add honey or maple to balance the vinegar.
Fabulous.salad dressing. My sister made the Pear Gorgonzola Salad w/ Fig dressing last week. Since then I’ve made it two more times. Welcome to the Holidays!
Glad you like this one Cindy!
Loved this dressing. Excited to have a dressing that’s a bit different.
Thanks Mary- yes it is kind of fun! Glad you enjoyed!
Thank you Sylia, for this easy and delicious dressing recipe..
LOVE IT!
Thanks Barbara!
I made this and had it with the salad you suggested (arugula, pear, pecans and gorgonzola). It’s outstanding! I will use the rest on grilled chicken tomorrow night.
Perfect and happy this worked for you!
Can this be made without the oil?
I’m not sure? You could try Linda, and maybe replace with water?
Made this last night – a little nervous it might be too weird for the family, but everyone loved it :). Thank you.
Great to hear Rhonda!
I made this dressing using homemade fig jam from our own fig trees. I put it on a salad of arugula, sliced pear and pecans. The dressing was amazing. Thanks for the recipe.
Perfect David! I love that you have your own fig tree.
Made it just now to throw on a kale apple salad and maybe drizzle over some sweet potato hummus on toast – it’s delicious!! You’re so right about cheese plate lovers having that opened jar of fog spread in their fridge! So glad recipe to transform one of my favorite spreads into something else delicious and useful!
Thanks Samantha! Glad this worked for you!