Herby Fennel & Green Apple Salad
Fresh, crisp, and full of flavor, this Herby Fennel & Green Apple Salad is an easy, healthy salad recipe made with thinly sliced fresh fennel, tart green apple, crisp romaine lettuce, plenty of fresh herbs, and shaved parmesan cheese. A simple homemade lemon vinaigrette brings everything together with the perfect balance of bright, fresh flavors.
Quick to prepare and naturally wholesome, this fennel and apple salad makes a delicious light lunch, side salad, or fresh addition to any meal. To learn how to make this delicious seasonal salad recipe, see the printable recipe card below or take a look at the recipe video. For other recipe variations and to learn about the health benefits of this salad recipe, my Blog Comments & Tips below.
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RECIPE
(Printable recipe card below.)
HERBY FENNEL & GREEN APPLE SALAD
Crisp, fresh, and incredibly flavorful, this Herby Fennel & Green Apple Salad combines thinly sliced fennel, crunchy green apple, fresh romaine, fragrant herbs, and shaved parmesan cheese with an easy homemade lemon vinaigrette. A simple, healthy salad that's bright, refreshing, and perfect as a light lunch or fresh side dish!
Ingredients
Instructions
- To a small mason jar (8 ounces), add lemon zest, lemon juice, sea salt, pepper, apple cider vinegar, honey (or pure maple syrup), and olive oil. Cover with lid, and shake vigorously until mixture is emulsified. Set aside.
- Halve fennel bulb lengthwise, and remove and discard core. Slice off green stalks/fronds, and set aside. Quarter white part of fennel bulb lengthwise, and very thinly slice crosswise into slivers (or use a mandoline to thinly slice fennel). Add to a large glass mixing bowl (4 Quart).
- Remove leafy green fronds from the fennel stalks, and finely chop (discard stalks). Slice and discard roots from scallion, and thinly slice the white and light green part of the onion diagonally (see Note #1). Slice the apple into larger pieces, then cross-cut into ¼ inch thick slices. Stack slices, and julienne (see Note #2).
- To the mixing bowl, add julienned apple, chopped fennel fronds, scallions, parsley, and mint. Shake the vinaigrette once more, then pour over the salad. Using a silicone spatula, mix until combined and well coated in dressing.
- Chop romaine lettuce into bite size pieces, and add to the mixing bowl. Using tongs, toss the salad to coat all ingredients with dressing. Add ¼ cup of shaved parmesan cheese, and gently toss with tongs. Serve immediately, and sprinkle each plate with remaining ¼ cup of parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Notes
- If you prefer smaller pieces of scallion, halve the onion lengthwise first, then thinly slice on the diagonal.
- Julienne into ¼ inch thick matchsticks (they will be about 3 inches in length). You can leave them as is, or if you prefer smaller bites of apple, cut the matchsticks in half (smaller pieces are my preference). You’ll end up with 1 ½ inch length pieces of apple.
- Makes 4 servings.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
242Fat (grams)
18 gSat. Fat (grams)
4 gCarbs (grams)
17 gFiber (grams)
5 gNet carbs
12 gSugar (grams)
10 gProtein (grams)
6 gSodium (milligrams)
383 mgCholesterol (grams)
9 mgNutritional information provided is strictly an estimate and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Finish with a sprinkle of shaved Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, serve immediately, and enjoy!
VIDEO
How to Make this Crisp and Delicious Herby Fennel & Green Apple Salad!
Blog Comments & Tips
A crisp, fresh & flavorful seasonal salad!
This Herby Fennel & Green Apple Salad is a delicious combination of crisp and crunchy textures with a beautiful balance of sweet, savory, tart, and herbaceous flavors. Thinly sliced green apple adds juicy sweetness and a refreshing tartness, while crunchy fennel bulb brings a subtle anise flavor. Fresh fennel fronds, Italian parsley, and mint add layers of bright, herbal flavor, while scallions provide a mild savory taste in every bite. Shavings of Parmigiano Reggiano add that salty, nutty richness that perfectly complements the fresh ingredients.
The easy lemon vinaigrette, made with fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, apple cider vinegar, and extra-virgin olive oil, ties everything together with a bright, tangy finish. It's a simple homemade dressing that is quick and easy, and lets the natural flavors of the salad shine.
Fresh Ingredients with Plenty of Benefits
GREEN APPLE: Provides fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, while its natural sweetness and crisp texture make it a perfect contrast to the savory ingredients.
FENNEL BULB & FRONDS: Naturally rich in fiber and vitamin C, it provides plenty of antioxidants. Fennel also contains potassium and other beneficial plant compounds. The delicate fronds offer the same refreshing fennel flavor while adding an extra layer of freshness.
FRESH HERBS: Italian parsley is packed with vitamin K and vitamins A and C, along with antioxidant plant compounds. Fresh mint contributes antioxidants and a refreshing flavor that makes every bite taste especially bright.
SCALLIONS: Provide vitamins K and C along with antioxidant compounds, while their mild onion flavor adds a savory depth without overpowering the delicate fennel and herbs.
PARMIGIANO REGGIANO: Adds protein and calcium along with its distinctive salty, nutty flavor. Just a small amount brings wonderful richness to this light salad.
LEMON VINAIGRETTE: Combines fresh lemon juice and zest, which provide vitamin C. Apple cider vinegar brings bright acidity and contributes to gut-health. Extra-virgin olive oil is a source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidant polyphenols.
Quick and easy to make, this Herby Fennel & Green Apple Salad is a refreshing side dish or light lunch that delivers plenty of flavor, texture, and wholesome ingredients in every bite.
How do you ensure the best results from this recipe?
My 5 tips to this Herby Fennel & Green Apple Salad:
Use organic ingredients for best flavor and nutrition.
Very thinly slice the fennel so you get a hint of anise flavor in every bite. If it’s difficult to get fine slices, try using a mandoline to get those thin slivers.
The fennel fronds look like fresh dill, but add an herbaceous and anise flavor to the salad.
For tips on how to julienne the green apple, take a look at the recipe video above.
I find shaved Parmigiano Reggiano cheese provides a better bite, instead of shredded. Serve this salad immediately to preserve its freshness.
Enjoy and let me know what you think by commenting below, rating my recipes, subscribing, following, and liking Prep My Recipe on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok! Don’t forget to subscribe to get updates on new recipes and tips & tricks.
Happy Cooking!
Mich
Footnote: Remember to press the crust only halfway up the pie pan. Otherwise, your crust above the filling will crumble when served.
Adapted from the Fennel & Green Apple Herby Salad recipe by Brooke @jonesfamilyrecipe. The original recipe was very good, but I found it to be one dimensional. Therefore, I made some changes to the original recipe and added a few ingredients, creating a more well rounded salad with various textures and flavors. My version produces sweet and savory bites, with a more balanced and flavorful vinaigrette. I hope you like this version of the recipe.
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