Shaved Fennel Salad

With over 40 5-star reviews, this Easy Fennel Salad is truly one of my favorites! It’s the best side dish for everything from a holiday party (where you want to impress your guests) to a busy weeknight dinner. The whole thing comes together in under 45 minutes and is so incredibly flavorful! This has been my go-to fall salad for years and I always get so many compliments on it.

Roasted sweet potatoes, sliced fennel, arugula, and crunchy almonds, all tossed in a red wine vinaigrette that’s balanced and so flavorful. This is the BEST fall salad!

It’s simple enough to have at home for an everyday dinner, but personally I love that it looks and tastes like an elevated dish worthy of bringing to a get together. If you’re in charge of salad, this is the recipe for you!

Why You’ll Love It This Shaved Easy Fennel Salad Recipe

• Quick & Easy – This easy salad recipe could not be easier! With only 15 minutes hands-on prep time, the entire salad can be made while the sweet potatoes roast in the oven.
• Flavorful – The unique flavor of the shaved fennel combined with peppery arugula, fresh parmesan, roasted sweet potatoes, and a creamy lemon dressing is NEXT LEVEL good!
• Full of Veggies – I’m obsessed with how much healthy nutrition is in this easy shaved fennel salad.
• Perfect Side Dish or Main Meal – Whether you make this as an impressive side dish to bring to a dinner with friends or as a hearty vegetarian meal, this salad is versatile and can go so many ways!

You’ll Also Love: Beet Buckwheat Salad w/ Kale, Cabbage, & Carrots (opens in a new tab)

Shaved Fennel Salad Ingredients

Salad:

• Fennel Bulbs – Thinly sliced. A mandoline slicer (opens in a new tab) is great here!
• Arugula
• Sliced Almonds – Chopped walnuts are great, too.
• Sliced Red Onion
• Fresh Shaved Parmesan – Grated can be delicious in a pinch as well!
• Cubed Sweet Potatoes – These can be peeled or unpeeled, whatever is preferred.
• Avocado Oil (opens in a new tab)
• Salt/Pepper
• Paprika
• Garlic Powder

Fennel Salad Dressing:

• Olive Oil
• Lemon Juice
• Red Wine Vinegar (opens in a new tab)
• Dijon Mustard (opens in a new tab)
• Honey
• Salt/Pepper

How to Cut Fennel for Salad

If you’ve never worked with fennel before, don’t worry—it’s actually a lot easier than you think! Fennel has a mild, slightly sweet flavor (think: a soft hint of licorice) and adds the perfect crunchy texture to salads. Here’s how to prep it:

1. Trim the stalks – Start by cutting off the long green stalks and fronds from the top of the fennel bulb. You won’t need the stalks for this salad, but you can save the fronds (the delicate leafy part) to sprinkle on top as a pretty garnish!
2. Slice off the base – Cut just a small amount off the bottom root end so you can easily separate the layers.
3. Remove any tough outer layers – If the outer layer feels dry or rubbery, just peel it off and discard.
4. Cut the bulb in half – Slice the fennel bulb down the middle lengthwise.
5. Remove the core – Use the tip of your knife to carefully cut out the triangular-shaped core at the base of each half. It’s edible, but a little tougher than the rest of the bulb.
6. Shave thin slices – Lay the fennel halves flat side down and use a sharp knife or mandoline to shave into thin slices. The thinner, the better for that crisp, delicate texture in salads!

How to Make Fennel Citrus Salad

It’s so easy to put this healthy salad recipe together! Here’s how to make a fennel salad in 5 simple steps:

1. Combine cubed sweet potatoes with the oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
2. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes (or until the potatoes are tender).
3. Meanwhile, combine the sliced fennel, arugula, almonds, and red onion in a bowl.
4. Whisk together the dressing.
5. When the potatoes are done, add to the bowl, then top with the dressing and parmesan!

Variation Ideas

Fennel & Orange Salad

Swap out the sweet potatoes for juicy orange slices for a yummy variation! The sweetness of the oranges complements the anise-like flavor of the fennel perfectly. Add a sprinkle of fresh mint leaves and use a citrus vinaigrette in place of the honey lemon dressing to take things up a notch!

Apple Fennel Salad

I LOVE replacing the sweet potatoes with thinly sliced crisp apples for a refreshing crunch and so much flavor. Add a drizzle of this Apple Cider Vinaigrette for one of the best fall salad recipes!

Beet Fennel Salad

Roasted beets alongside or instead of sweet potatoes gives this salad a sweet, earthy flavor that contrasts nicely with the sharpness of the fennel. This combination creates a colorful and hearty salad, especially when topped with a sprinkle of goat cheese or feta.

Quinoa Fennel Salad

Add cooked quinoa for a hearty vegetarian meal with more protein! This is one of my favorite quick hacks for turning this salad into a filling meal that everyone will love.

RELATED: How To Cook Quinoa Perfectly Every Time

More Vegetarian Salad Recipes

• Avocado Strawberry Spinach Salad
• Roasted Pumpkin Salad
• Crispy Chili Lime Chickpea Salad
• Roasted Beets & Sweet Potato Salad
• Tandoori Paneer Salad
• Sun-Dried Tomato & Arugula Lentil Salad

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