Fennel Salad is a light, delicious salad option that is so refreshing! Perfect side dish for any meal! This simple fennel salad is full of thinly sliced fennel, crisp apples, manchego cheese, and fresh herbs.

Best Fennel Salad Recipe

This is such an underrated recipe – the flavor combo just works here resulting a light, crisp and delicious side salad that is fancy enough for a Holiday, but simple enough for an easy weeknight dinner (it would pair well with some grilled chicken thighs). The first time we had this winter salad we were blown away by all the fresh flavors. Can’t wait for you to try it!

Why This Recipe Works

• Light: nothing heavy in this recipe – just clean flavors.
• Crisp: the crunch of the apple and fennel paired with the softness of the cheese is perfection!
• Easy: no cooking required here.

What You Will Need

• apples: we used honeycrisp apples, but you could use a variety of different flavors, really depends upon what you like the most.
• fresh lemon juice: just using this to toss the apples in so they don’t turn brown, plus it adds a tiny bit of citrus to the dish.
• fresh fennel: fennel bulbs have such a unique flavor and goes so well with sweet ingredients like apple – learn how to cut fennel here!
• manchego cheese: you could use any light, white cheese here (like parmesan cheese) with success – but I highly recommend the manchego for best results.
• extra virgin olive oil + kosher salt: we add this so the salad doesn’t get dry and the salt just helps maximize flavor.
• basil leaves: this adds freshness!

How to Make Fennel Salad

Combine apples and lemon juice, stir to coat. Meanwhile, use a mandoline slicer or sharp knife and cutting board to prepare the other ingredients.

Add everything to a large bowl.

Stir to combine. Taste and adjust any seasoning, as-needed.

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Originally published April 3, 2016.