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    Gastronotherapy » Recipes » Gluten Free

    Shaved Fennel Salad

    Modified: Oct 22, 2023 · Published: Feb 8, 2022 · by MaryAnne · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Shaved fennel salad is a crunchy, bright, citrusy, crisp, and zingy side dish that brightens up any plate. With just 3 simple ingredients, the licorice-like fennel shines in this healthy and versatile salad. It's naturally dairy-free/vegan, with just 10 minutes of prep time, and you can even make it ahead of time.

    shaved fennel salad in a bowl with spoon and white napkin.

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    I have come to really appreciate fennel in the last few years, especially since it's in season all winter long. It has a licorice-like taste that's slightly sweet and similar to tarragon and anise seed.

    Because it's served raw here, this shaved fennel salad delivers the lovely crunch that fennel is known for. Orange zest adds a bit of zippiness to the fennel, along with the citrus dressing.

    It's a quick and healthy, yet robust, winter salad that's ready in just 10 minutes!

    Jump to:
    • ⭐️ Why This Fennel Salad is the Best
    • 🍊 Ingredient Notes
    • 📝 Variations & Substitutions
    • 🔪 Recipe Instructions
    • 👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips
    • 💬 Frequently Asked Questions
    • 🍽 More Side Dish Recipes
    • Shaved Fennel Salad Recipe

    ⭐️ Why This Fennel Salad is the Best

    • Bright, citrusy, licorice-like, and zingy
    • Crunchy and crisp texture
    • Healthy salad that's naturally dairy-free/vegan, and gluten-free. Additionally, fennel includes nutrients like vitamins A and C.
    • Quick and easy vegetarian side dish that's ready in 10 minutes
    • Make ahead option
    • Versatile salad that pairs well with garlic butter pasta, broccoli pasta bake, and impossible burger meatballs.

    🍊 Ingredient Notes

    • Fennel bulbs - Look for full white bulbs with dill-like fronds
    • Extra-virgin olive oil - Since we only use 3 simple ingredients, be sure to use a high-quality olive oil.
    • Orange - Gives our salad bright citrus flavor and slight sweetness

    📝 Variations & Substitutions

    • Citrus. Switch up your citrus and use grapefruit or lemon in place of orange.
    • Arugula. Toss with a few handfuls of arugula for bitter/earthy notes and a heartier salad.
    • Cheese. Add ½ cup of a salty and nutty cheese like Parmesan or Gruyère, which pairs well with fennel.
    • Nuts. Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, or pecans for extra crunch.
    • Herbs. The fennel fronds are herb-like themselves, but you can add additional herby flavor by using tarragon, thyme, or parsley.
    fennel salad garnished with fennel fronds and resting on a white napkin.

    🔪 Recipe Instructions

    Cut the fronds from the fennel bulbs and place in a large mixing bowl.

    Slice the fennel bulbs horizontally as thinly as possible (or use a mandolin). Remove any large core parts, then add the slices to the mixing bowl.

    shaved fennel in a mixing bowl.

    In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, orange zest and juice, salt, and pepper. Pour dressing into mixing bowl and toss until well-coated. Let salad rest for 10-15 minutes to soften the fennel. 

    fennel tossed with salad ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

    👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips

    • Storage: Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
    • Use a mandolin for super-thin slices of fennel.
    • Make ahead: Prep salad up to 24 hours ahead of time and chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.
    • Serve with vegetarian no boil lasagna, stuffed peppers, or scallop linguine.
    • Use any extra fennel fronds as an herb garnish to a variety of dishes.

    💬 Frequently Asked Questions

    Can fennel be eaten raw in a salad?

    Yes! You can eat it raw, cooked, or roasted.

    What does shaved fennel taste like?

    It has a licorice-like taste that's slightly sweet and similar to tarragon and anise seed.

    What mixes well with fennel?

    Fennel pairs particularly well with citrus, but is also delicious paired with a variety of cheeses, nuts, and fresh herbs.

    🍽 More Side Dish Recipes

    • Creamy mashed potatoes garnished with fresh chives.
      Garlic Red Skin Mashed Potatoes
    • Bowl of tandoori cauliflower with cup of yourt sauce in the background.
      Roasted Tandoori Cauliflower
    • sourdough cornbread on white plate with pan in background
      Sourdough Cornbread Recipe
    • apple cucumber salad assembled in a bowl with two forks and napkin on the side.
      Cucumber Apple Salad

    Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook.

    Subscribe to my email newsletter to get a FREE e-book of 15 Healthy Weeknight Recipes, and get new recipes delivered to your inbox every week!

    shaved fennel salad in a bowl with spoon and white napkin.

    Shaved Fennel Salad Recipe

    Author: MaryAnne
    Shaved fennel salad is a crunchy, bright, citrusy, crisp, and zingy side dish that brightens up any plate. With just 3 simple ingredients, the licorice-like fennel shines in this healthy and versatile salad. It's dairy-free/vegan, with just 10 minutes of prep time, and you can even make it ahead of time.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine American, Mediterranean
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 116 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 large fennel bulbs
    • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
    • 1 orange, zested and juiced
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Cut the fronds from the fennel bulbs and place in a large mixing bowl.
    • Slice the fennel bulbs horizontally as thinly as possible. Remove any large core parts, then add the slices to the mixing bowl.
    • In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, orange zest and juice, salt, and pepper. Pour dressing into mixing bowl and toss until well-coated.
    • Let salad rest for 10-15 minutes to soften the fennel. 

    Notes

    • Storage: Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
    • Use a mandolin for super-thin slices of fennel.
    • Make ahead: Prep salad up to 24 hours ahead of time and chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.
    • Use any extra fennel fronds as an herb garnish to a variety of dishes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 116kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 255mgPotassium: 525mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 206IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 67mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jen

      December 18, 2021 at 9:25 am

      5 stars
      I love fennel and this salad was the perfect side dish for our roasted chicken last night!

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        December 18, 2021 at 2:11 pm

        So glad you enjoyed it, Jen!

        Reply
    5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    Hi! I’m MaryAnne, the writer, recipe developer, and photographer behind Gastronotherapy, where I bring vibrant, delicious, and thoughtfully crafted mainly vegetarian and vegan (flexitarian) recipes to life. While my focus leans toward wholesome, nourishing dishes, my love for dessert ensures that indulgence always has a place at the table!

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