Fennel Salad (With a Bright & Tangy Dressing)

This tangy orange and fennel salad is bright and fresh with a quick zesty orange dressing!

This combo of citrusy, savory, nutty, and crunchy ingredients is an amazing side or perfect topped with salmon or grilled shrimp.

top view of Fennel Salad in a bowl with dressing on the side

A Fresh Side

Shaved fennel is often used as a garnish, served roasted or even on pizza! The flavor of fennel is similar to anise or black licorice and it’s both fresh and crunchy.

Fennel can be eaten cooked or raw in slaws or salads like in this recipe.

ingredients to make a Fennel Salad

ingredients to make a Fennel Salad

Ingredients

FENNEL Fresh fennel should but cut into thin slices for this recipe.

GREENS Any greens you’d like work well, I prefer a greens mix with tender leaves for this recipe.

CITRUS Sectioned orange slices add fresh zesty flavor (grapefruit is another great addition). While it takes a little bit of time, sectioning oranges makes for a great salad and it can be done days ahead of time.

DRESSING Orange juice, rice wine vinegar, honey, garlic, and oil are used to make this citrusy, zesty dressing!

pouring dressing over Fennel Salad

pouring dressing over Fennel Salad

Variations

  • Switch out orange segments for canned mandarin orange segments and add the juice to the dressing or use small pieces of fresh grapefruit and the grapefruit zest in the dressing.
  • Sliced black olives make for a dramatic and colorful garnish!
  • Freshly roasted and cooled beets make a colorful addition.
  • Granny smith apples and cucumber or radishes, fennel salad takes on a whole new look!
  • Try the citrus-like salad dressing as a marinade or add some soy sauce to it and use it as an Asian-style stir fry marinade!

How to Cut Fennel for Salad

If you’ve never cut fennel before, it’s easy.

  1. Cut bulb from the green stalks (which can be eaten raw or added to stir frys or soup recipes).
  2. Cut bulb in halves so it lies flat & slice thinly vertically (a mandoline works well if you have one).

How to Make Fennel Salad

Fennel salad looks gourmet, but it’s actually super easy to make!

  1. Add sliced fennel to the celery & mixed greens. Toss.
  2. Prepare dressing (per recipe below) in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake.
  3. Drizzle over salad & garnish with nuts & orange segments.

Fresh & Flavorful Salads

Did your family love this Fennel Salad? Be sure to leave a comment and a rating below! 

Fennel Salad

Bright & colorful, this Fennel Salad is a healthy, flavorful dish that’s perfect as a light lunch or side dish!

Follow Spend with Pennies on Pinterest

Follow Spend with Pennies on Pinterest

  • Combine all dressing ingredients in a jar with a lid and shake until combined. Set aside.

  • Cut the rind off of the orange and cut into segments. Thinly slice celery on the diagonal.
  • Cut off the top stems of the fennel (these can be reserved for stir fries) and remove any discolored outer leaves. If the bulb is really large, cut in half from root to stem.

  • Using a mandoline (or a very sharp knife) thinly slice the fennel bulb and place in a bowl, add celery and mixed greens. Drizzle with dressing and toss well.

  • Garnish the salad with walnuts and orange pieces.

Calories: 279, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 15g, Sodium: 133mg, Potassium: 537mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 1140IU, Vitamin C: 52mg, Calcium: 68mg, Iron: 1mg

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)

Keyword Best Fennel Salad, Fennel Salad, Fennel Salad recipe, how to make Fennel Salad

close up of plated Fennel Salad with writing
close up of dressing being poured over Fennel Salad with writing
pouring dressing over Fennel Salad with a title
ingredients to make Fennel Salad with finished dish and a title