Vibrant Fennel and Orange Salad
A refreshing winter side dish combining crisp fennel, juicy oranges, and salty Kalamata olives, dressed with a bright, balanced dressing. Perfect for a light, flavorful salad that feels like sunshine on a plate.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 medium fennel bulb, thinly sliced
- 2 medium oranges, peeled and sliced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or fennel fronds, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Trim the fennel bulb by cutting off the stalks and fronds (reserve some fronds for garnish). Slice the bulb thinly, about 1/8 inch thick.
- Peel the oranges, removing all white pith. Slice into thin rounds or segment into bite-sized pieces.
- Thinly slice 1/4 of a small red onion. If desired, soak slices in cold water for 10 minutes and drain before adding.
- In a mixing bowl, gently toss the fennel slices, orange pieces, red onion, and Kalamata olives.
- Whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey (or maple syrup), salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Pour dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Chop reserved fennel fronds or fresh parsley and sprinkle over the top. Serve immediately or chill for 15 minutes to meld flavors.
Notes
For extra crisp fennel, soak slices in ice water for 10 minutes before slicing. Use a sharp knife or mandoline for thin slices. Adjust dressing seasoning gradually to balance acidity and sweetness. Serve fresh or chilled but avoid making more than a day ahead to keep texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup salad
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 1
Keywords: fennel salad, orange salad, winter salad, healthy side dish, easy salad recipe, Mediterranean salad, refreshing salad