This put up could include affiliate hyperlinks. Learn our disclaimer.
Savor simplicity on this fast and simple Fennel Salad. Thinly sliced uncooked fennel is tossed in a easy lemon dressing and garnished with parmesan and herbs. Get pleasure from it as a light-weight and refreshing facet dish along with your favourite wholesome lunches and dinners.
This straightforward fennel salad is the proper introduction to fennel you’ve been in search of. Made with thinly sliced contemporary fennel, a zesty 4-ingredient lemon dressing, and freshly grated parmesan, this fast and simple recipe is sure to turn into a staple in your wholesome facet dish routine!
Fennel’s naturally crisp, delicate licorice taste is the proper canvas for the tangy brightness of the lemon dressing and the savory richness of parmesan. All collectively, they create a standalone palate-pleasing facet dish that provides a refreshing aspect to all kinds of major dishes.
Whether or not you’re grilling hen or baking salmon for a light-weight and wholesome meal or indulging in hearty lamb chops or pulled pork, this shaved fennel salad on the facet immediately turns the meal right into a masterpiece.
Recipe options
- Minimal effort = most taste! This salad is so simple as tossing thinly sliced contemporary fennel in a citrus fennel salad dressing and garnishing with parmesan cheese and herbs.
- Past its refined flavors, this salad with fennel is a good supply of polyphenol antioxidants to help coronary heart well being and blood sugar, has a protracted record of nutritional vitamins and minerals, and is of course gluten-free and simple to make vegan.
- This salad is not a one-trick pony. Get pleasure from it as a light-weight lunch, a refreshing complement to wholesome dinners, or add it to different meals, like grain bowls or tacos.
Components
Fennel – This crisp salad vegetable has a bulbous base, celery-like stalks, and feathery fronds and is in season all through fall, winter, and early spring. With a light licorice taste and crisp texture, fennel is an effective way so as to add freshness and complexity to salads, soups, and extra. Once you’re purchasing, search for fennel with agency bulbs and contemporary stalks and fronds.
Olive oil – Select a high-quality additional virgin olive oil to make the straightforward but wealthy and flavorful dressing.
Lemon juice and zest – This duo provides a refreshing citrusy taste to the dressing to enhance the delicate licorice notes of the fennel. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice and finely grated lemon zest for the perfect outcomes.
Parmesan – Use freshly grated parmesan or shave it from the block your self for the perfect taste.
Recent herbs – A medley of freshly chopped mushy herbs, like parsley, basil, or dill, are sprinkled over the completed salad. Attempt to not exchange these with dried herbs since they aren’t as flavorful as contemporary herbs.
Directions
Step 1: Make the dressing. Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper collectively in a small bowl or jar.
Step 2: Marinate the fennel. Place the shaved fennel in a big bowl, pour the dressing over high, and toss to mix. Let it sit for quarter-hour to marinate.
Step 3: Plate, garnish, and serve. Switch the salad to a serving platter and sprinkle the parmesan and contemporary herbs over high. Get pleasure from!
Ideas and FAQs
- Make the salad dressing 2 to three days forward of time if it’s good to assemble the completed salad in a rush. Preserve it in a sealed jar within the fridge till it’s time to marinate the fennel.
- Style the salad earlier than serving. Add extra salt, pepper, or lemon as wanted to steadiness the flavors to your liking.
Tip
Do not waste the fennel fronds! You may finely chop these feathery inexperienced tops and sprinkle them over the salad simply earlier than serving for a vibrant garnish.
Variations
- Add one other vegetable – Add thinly sliced beets, celeriac, turnips, parsnips, carrots, or cabbage to the salad for extra shade and texture.
- Incorporate contemporary fruit – Make a pear and fennel salad or introduce a burst of sweetness with fruits like pomegranate seeds or thinly sliced apples to enhance the fennel’s delicate licorice taste.
- Bulk it up with greens – Gently toss the fennel with contemporary leafy greens, like arugula, radicchio, endive, spinach, or watercress, earlier than serving.
- Citrus twist – Swap the lemon juice/zest within the dressing with orange juice/zest, grapefruit juice/zest, or a mixture of contemporary citrus flavors. The brightness of those fruits pairs fantastically with fennel.
- As an alternative of parmesan – Attempt crumbled feta, goat cheese, or burrata for a creamy, tangy kick.
- Garnish with nuts – Toss the salad with toasted almonds, walnuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds for additional crunch and nuttiness in every chew.
- Dairy-free – Exchange the parmesan with dietary yeast, vegan parmesan, or vegan cashew cheese.
Serving recommendations
This versatile fennel salad gives a refreshing distinction to heavier, boldly-flavored major dishes, like baked harissa hen, grilled mango hen, Cajun salmon, and air fryer tilapia.
It’s additionally scrumptious when served as a crisp and tangy topping on wholesome grain bowls, like a Mediterranean lamb bowl or autumn harvest bowl. Alternatively, stuff it into salmon or shrimp tacos after they may use successful of refreshment!
Are you able to eat fennel uncooked in salads?
Completely! Fennel could be loved each uncooked and cooked. When uncooked fennel is added to salads, its crunchy texture and refreshing style shine!
Does fennel salad style like licorice?
Sure, the pure anise taste in fennel does give this salad a refined licorice taste (along with its candy, crisp, and fragrant notes). Its pure flavors are tied along with the lemon dressing, making a well-balanced, tangy, and savory dish.
How do I lower fennel for a salad?
To start out, chop off the stalks with a pointy knife. Peel away any outer layers of the fennel bulb that appear powerful or discolored. From there, lower the bulb in half lengthwise, take away the core, and slice it into skinny, uniform slices. To hurry up the method and obtain constant slices, rigorously use a mandoline as a substitute of a knife.
Storing
Fridge: You may refrigerate the leftover fennel salad in an hermetic container for 1 to 2 days.
Extra easy salad recipes
Should you made this Mediterranean fennel salad recipe, make sure you depart a remark and star score beneath. Thanks!
Fennel Salad
Savor simplicity on this fast and simple Fennel Salad. Thinly sliced uncooked fennel is tossed in a easy lemon dressing and garnished with parmesan and herbs. Get pleasure from it as a light-weight and refreshing facet dish along with your favourite wholesome lunches and dinners.
Servings:
Components
- 2 fennel bulbs thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- juice from 1 lemon
- zest from ½ lemon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- black pepper to style
- 2 tablespoon shaved or freshly grated parmesan optionally available
- optionally available garnishes: contemporary parsley, basil or dill
Directions
-
Place the fennel in a big bowl.
-
Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper collectively, then pour the dressing over the fennel and toss to mix. Let the combination sit for at the very least quarter-hour so the fennel can take in the flavour.
-
Switch the fennel to a serving platter, sprinkle with cheese and luxuriate in!
Notes
*Energy are per serving and are an estimation.
Diet
Serving: 1g | Energy: 139kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fats: 11g | Saturated Fats: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g | Monounsaturated Fats: 8g | Ldl cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 246mg | Potassium: 487mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 176IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 1mg