Why this fennel orange salad works
- Crisp and juicy: shaved fennel meets sweet orange.
- Bright flavours: anise, citrus and mint.
- Pretty: especially with blood oranges.
- Quick: no cooking at all.
Fennel orange salad tips
- Ice water makes fennel extra crisp.
- Supreme the oranges for a neater look: cut out segments between the membranes.
- Dress lightly so the fruit shines.
Fennel microgreens
Fennel microgreens have fine, feathery leaves and a soft licorice flavour. They take about 10 to 14 days to grow. See the fennel seed guide, and buy fennel seed from Sprouting.com. If you don't have them, use the fronds from the fennel bulb.
More fresh salads
Fennel Orange Salad With Mint
Vegan · Mediterranean
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 large fennel bulb
- 2 oranges (or 1 orange and 1 blood orange)
- ¼ small red onion, very thinly sliced
- ¼ cup (35 g) black olives, halved
- A small handful of fresh mint leaves
- ½ cup (about 15 g) fennel microgreens or fennel fronds
Dressing
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp orange juice (from cutting the oranges)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Pinch of flaky salt and black pepper
Method
- Trim the fennel and slice it as thinly as you can, ideally with a mandoline. Place it in a bowl of ice water for 5 minutes to crisp, then drain and dry.
- Cut the peel and pith off the oranges. Slice them into rounds, saving any juice.
- Whisk the olive oil, orange juice, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
- Arrange the fennel, orange slices, onion and olives on a plate.
- Drizzle with the dressing. Top with mint and fennel microgreens and serve.
Notes
- Thin slices matter. Paper-thin fennel is crisp and mild.
- Add creaminess: crumbled feta or goat cheese.
- Swap the microgreens: arugula or basil microgreens also work.
Seeds in this article
Frequently asked questions
What goes well with fennel and orange?
Mint, olives, red onion, arugula, feta and toasted nuts. A light olive oil and citrus dressing ties it together.
Can you eat fennel raw?
Yes. Raw fennel is crisp with a gentle anise flavour. Slice it very thinly for salads.
What are fennel microgreens?
Young fennel seedlings with fine, feathery leaves and a mild licorice taste. They're a lovely garnish for salads and fish.
Can I make fennel orange salad ahead?
Slice the fennel and oranges a few hours ahead and keep them separate in the fridge. Dress and add herbs just before serving.
Written by Michael
A passionate sprouting professional sharing practical tips for growing sprouts and microgreens at home. More about Michael
