Citrus Fennel Salad
Paper-thin fennel and red onion with orange segments and olives in an olive oil and lemon dressing. Four servings in 15 minutes.
Photograph credit: Citrus Fennel Avocado Salad with Mint Golden Balsamic Vinegar (124972340) by Kari Sullivan from Austin, TX · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Making Citrus Fennel Salad Ahead
Best within 1 hour of dressing. The fennel softens as it stands.
How to Make Citrus Fennel Salad
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Put the sliced fennel and onion in a bowl of cold water for 5 minutes, then drain well and pat dry.
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Arrange the fennel, onion, orange segments and olives on a platter.
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Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper and spoon over the salad, with any juice from the oranges. Scatter with the parsley.
Tips for Success
- Keep the fennel fronds and use them as a garnish.
- If the oranges are very sweet, add a little more lemon juice to the dressing.
- Slice the fennel across the bulb, not along it, for the most tender pieces.
Why the Method Is What It Is
Slice the fennel as thin as you can. Thin is the rule. Give it 5 minutes in cold water. The water crisps the slices and takes the edge off the aniseed flavour, and thin shavings are tender enough to eat raw. A mandoline is ideal, though a sharp knife will do.
Oranges add sweetness and juice that becomes part of the dressing. Cut away all the pith so each segment is clean, and squeeze the leftover membrane over the bowl for extra juice. Red onion adds sharpness. Olives bring the salt, so go easy on the salt shaker. The salad needs no more than olive oil and a little lemon.
Serve on a platter rather than in a bowl, so the slices stay separate and the colours show. The fennel softens as it sits. It is best within an hour of dressing. A grind of black pepper and a few fennel fronds finish it.
Serving Ideas
Grilled fish · Roast chicken · A slice of wholegrain bread
Quick Answers
How long does Citrus Fennel Salad take to make?
About 15 minutes in total — 15 minutes of preparation and of cooking. The recipe serves 4.
What are the key tips for making Citrus Fennel Salad?
Keep the fennel fronds and use them as a garnish. If the oranges are very sweet, add a little more lemon juice to the dressing. Slice the fennel across the bulb, not along it, for the most tender pieces.
What should I serve with Citrus Fennel Salad?
Grilled fish; Roast chicken; A slice of wholegrain bread.
Is Citrus Fennel Salad suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, weight-loss friendly, low-carb and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Citrus Fennel Salad?
About 161 kcal per serving, with 2 g protein, 18 g carbohydrate and 9 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
The Numbers per Serving
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.
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