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This Fennel Celery Salad is my twist on a classic Italian celery salad. I slice crisp celery and add some crisp shaved fennel, then mix everything with a bit of olive oil, lemon juice, and sliced onions to make a simple fennel and celery salad that is perfect for meal prep or large gatherings!
I love how, in a classic Italian celery salad, they use the celery stalks plus the leaves! The leaves are actually edible and just as healthy! So I decided with this recipe, I would do the same thing, but add in some shaved fennel for a dynamic anise flavor plus extra crunch. I know you’ll love it!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Fennel and Celery Salad
On our family Thanksgiving table this year I decided to try this simple shaved fennel salad with celery for a satisfying texture and complex flavor. Fennel is typically harvested in the fall or spring, so it was perfect timing! Here are some of the other reasons you’ll love this recipe!
- Simple Salad for Gatherings: This simple celery fennel salad is made with the hearty parts of celery, fennel, and red onions, so it holds up well if you want to make it ahead of the party!
- Healthy Ingredients: Fennel is a highly overlooked vegetable here in the US, but in the Mediterranean, it’s often used to make a lot of different fennel salad recipes like this Blood Orange, Olive, and Fennel Salad.
- Great for Meal Prep: For the same reasons this fennel and celery salad is great for gatherings, it is also great as a meal prep salad! It keeps in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Looking for more easy make ahead salads? Then try this Tomato and Artichoke Salad with Capers, this Roasted Broccoli Caesar Salad, or this Crunchy Veggie & Bean Chopped Salad.
Health Benefits Of Fennel Celery Salad
Fennel is crunchy and slightly sweet, adding a refreshing contribution to our meals! It’s a very good source of fiber, antioxidants (vitamin C), and phytonutrients including certain flavonoids that may reduce inflammation and prevent cancer according to some studies I’ve read.
Celery, another veggie when eat at our house almost daily, is rich in vitamin K, and according to studies, may also aid in digestion and help reduce inflammation.
Anytime you add more vegetables to your meals, it’s a good thing!
How To Cut Fennel For A Salad
To slice a fennel bulb, cut off the stalks and the bottom of the bulb. Then cut the bulb in half. Remove the tough section in the middle of each half, then lay the cut side of the bulb down on the cutting board. Slice like you would an onion, using a sharp knife.
Ingredients:
These are the simple ingredients that come together to make this fennel celery salad perfect for making ahead of time.
Makes 6 servings
- 3 medium fennel bulbs, very thinly sliced
- 6 celery ribs, very thinly sliced
- 1/2 red onion, very thinly sliced
- a small handful of fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tsps fresh lemon or zest, or to taste
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 4 Tbsps extra virgin olive oil
- sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Variations and Substitutions
- Celery fennel salad would also be good adding sliced olives or grated parmesan cheese.
- If you don’t have dill, you can substitute with parsley.
- I often like to add something sweet to this salad like golden raisins or freshly cut apples.
How To Make Fennel Celery Salad
This easy fennel celery salad can be made in just 4 simple steps:
- Thinly slice the fennel, onions, and celery and place in a bowl.
- Add the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, and garlic powder and toss everything together.
- Roughly chop the dill and sprinkle it over the salad.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Rachel’s Tips For Best Results
- Fennel is available at most grocery stores year-round or at the local farmers market when in season.
- Look for small, heavy, white bulbs that are firm and free of cracks, browning, or wet, “mushy” spots.
- The stalks should be crisp, bright-green fronds.
- Just like celery; all the parts of fennel: bulb, stalk, and the fronds, are all completely edible, and will add texture and flavor to soups, stews, salads, slaws, pasta, and skillet meals.
Storage Tips
If you make this salad ahead of time, store it in the refrigerator until serving. This salad will keep of 2-3 days in the refrigerator, then the crisp-sweet flavor of the fennel begins to diminish as the fennel dries out.
FAQ’s
What dressing do you use for fennel salads?
For this celery fennel salad I made a lemon and olive oil dressing that would taste good with both the anise flavor of the fennel and the chopped celery.
Do fennel and celery go together?
Yes, the sweet crunch of the celery goes perfectly with the anise flavor and crunch of the fennel.
Can you cut fennel ahead of time for a salad?
Yes, fennel will keep well for up to 2 days in the refrigerator for a salad.
More Easy Salad Recipes You’ll Love
- Tangy Tzatziki Chicken Salad
- Baby Arugula + Raw Sauerkraut Salad
- Cranberry Coleslaw with Toasted Pecans
- Crunchy Turkey Salad
- Creamy Brussels Sprout and Apple Coleslaw
- Crispy Rice Salad with Chicken
- Refreshing Melon + Crispy Prosciutto Salad
Easy Fennel Celery Salad
Ingredients
- 3 medium fennel bulbs, very thinly sliced
- 6 celery ribs, very thinly sliced
- 1/2 red onion, very thinly sliced
- a small handful of fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tsps fresh lemon or zest, or to taste
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 4 Tbsps extra virgin olive oil
- sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Instructions:
- Using a very sharp knife; carefully slice your fennel bulb, celery, onion, very thinly, then chop up your dill.
- Combine all of your prepped veggies into a large glass bowl.
- Season with sea salt and pepper to taste.
- Add lemon zest & lemon juice, garlic powder, olive oil, then toss well to coat everything.
- Taste test and adjust as desired.
- Refrigerate for 30-60 minutes before serving for best flavor.
- This salad stays good in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
