Is there anything better than a good salad? I don’t think so. So I’m always on the salad hunt and this fennel apple salad recipe fits the bill. Sometimes I just throw some spinach in a bowl with some olive oil and call it a night, but those times where I put just an ounce of effort into our side salad, I find myself wondering why the heck I don’t do it more often.
That’s what happened with this arugula apple salad. It’s easy, but tastes like it took a lot of work. (Shhh, that’s our fennel and apple salad secret!) Fennel salad recipes always feel slightly fancy to me, because they add such different flavor. With the addition of sweet apples and peppery arugula, this arugula fennel salad has all the right flavors going on.
This fennel salad makes a great lunch or side dish as it goes with just about any meat, or shines bright all by itself as a light main course. The avocado bumps up the fat content to make this filling, and the fennel and apple balance out the richness of the avocado perfectly.
My favorite thing about this salad though has to be the pink peppercorns. They add a nice punch of bite but with an underlying fruity sweetness. They are berries, after all. (It’s true, look it up!)
Plus they add that lovely pink color to the salad which pops against the green arugula. It sort of reminds me of Christmas so be sure to bookmark this recipe for your holiday festivities. It even holds up well so it would be great to make a few hours ahead of when you need it! I threw it together right after lunch and stashed it away until dinner, and it was still perfectly crisp. Plus, the citrus keeps the avocado from turning brown.
What Is Arugula?
Arugula is a plant that is used in many salads. It has a peppery flavor, and you may even notice a little bit of nut or mustard too. While arugula doesn’t get as much attention as spinach or lettuce, it’s really flavorful and good for you. It’s the perfect ingredient to go with this fennel apple salad.
Do You Have To Cook Fennel For Salad?
No, this fresh fennel salad recipe calls for uncooked fennel. You simply need to chop the fennel bulb lengthwise into strips, just like you would an onion.
Using fresh fennel is what makes this simple salad so amazing. You can cook fennel when you are using it for other recipes, though.
PRO TIP: Cut the slices of fennel as thin as you can!
How To Make Apple Salad
This fennel apple salad recipe is about as low maintenance as you can get when it comes to dinner or a light lunch. You can whip it up in minutes, and the reward is an amazing dish!
Here is how to make apple fennel salad:
- Make the dressing. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, pink peppercorns, and sea salt until well mixed.
- Prep the fruit and veggies. Cut fennel and apples. Slice them as thinly as you can!
- Mix the salad. Gently toss together arugula, avocado, pink peppercorns, fennel, and apples. Drizzle with homemade dressing.
Now you have a beautiful arugula fennel salad that you can enjoy. Grab a fork and dig into this yummy homemade salad.
Arugula Apple Salad Variations
One fantastic thing about fennel salad recipes is that you can adjust them if you want. The flavor of the fennel complements many other ingredients, so it’s work being adventurous and exploring every once in a while. Try some of these ideas:
- Walnuts – Sprinkle a few chopped or whole walnuts on top of the fennel apple salad for a light crunchiness.
- Celery – If you are looking to add in some extra nutrients, dice up some celery and throw into the arugula and fennel salad.
- Green Apples – If you want a little bit of tang, use some tart green apples in place of the red. It’s a fun combination in this arugula fennel salad.
- Dill – Chop up some fresh dill and sprinkle some into this arugula apple salad. Fennel and dill work really well together.
Can I Use Orange Juice Instead Of Lemon Juice?
Yes, you can use fresh orange juice in place of lemon juice when making this fennel apple salad recipe. Because orange is a citrus fruit, it will still go well with the other ingredients.
Plus, it will help prevent the apples and avocado from browning. The flavor will be slightly different, but will still taste great.
However, know that using orange juice will increase the sugar and carbs in this fennel apple salad recipe.
How Do You Store This Fennel Apple Salad Recipe?
Store this undressed fennel apple salad recipe in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve. Keep it airtight, and it will last 1-2 days.
Add the avocado and dressing right before serving!
PRO TIP: Toss the apple slices in citrus juice so they don’t brown.
What To Serve With Fennel And Apple Salad
This fresh fennel salad goes with all kinds of proteins, or it can be eaten alone. Try it with any of my paleo main dish recipes. Here are a few of my favorite recipes:
- Healthy Low Carb Paleo Turkey Meatballs – These delicious meatballs are so juicy!
- Baked Maple Mustard Glazed Salmon – This dish is truly drool-worthy!
- The Best Chimichurri Chicken – This is a fan favorite.
RECIPE CARD
Arugula Fennel Apple Salad Recipe
This healthy fennel apple salad recipe is bright and refreshing. Arugula apple salad is delicious and can be made in less than 10 minutes!
Ingredients
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- 1 large bulb Fennel
- 1 medium Red apple
- 1 medium Avocado
- 6 cups Arugula
- 1 tablespoon Pink peppercorns
Dressing
- 4 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Crushed pink peppercorns
- 1 pinch Sea salt
Instructions
More TIPS about this paleo recipe in the post above!
- Whisk all of the ingredients for the dressing together until emulsified.
- Thinly slice the apple and fennel. I use a mandoline to make this easier. Either cube or thinly slice the avocado as well. Toss the apple, fennel, and avocado with the arugula and the toss with the dressing and serve.
Recipe Notes
Serving size: 2 cups
**If storing for a few hours before eating, be sure to sprinkle the avocado with a bit more lemon juice to prevent it from browning.
Nutrition Information Per Serving
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database. Net carb count excludes both fiber and sugar alcohols (though the latter are rarely seen on this site), because these do not affect blood sugar in most people. We try to be accurate, but feel free to make your own calculations.
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6 Comments
Judy
I love how simple this salad is and I can bet it’s awesome too! Love fennel in anything.
Julia
I love salads like this. So light but sweet and full of flavor. I make something similar but never thought to add the avocado. I bet it adds a creamy texture–I love it!
Nibbles
Loving the balance here of fruit, veggie and healthy fats!! the perfect combo for any salad!!!
Tasha
This salad is so pretty and delicious
Emily
This salad looks amazing! I absolutely love fennel and to be honest at first I thought the pink peppercorns were pomegranates! That would be good in this, too!
Kimberly
Delicious, simple, and healthy … and I love the pop of color from the pink peppercorns! Beautiful!