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    Home » Recipe » Salads and Sides » Crisp Apple Fennel Salad with Grainy Mustard Dressing

    Crisp Apple Fennel Salad with Grainy Mustard Dressing

    Published: Jan 13, 2021 · Modified: Jan 19, 2022 by Sabrina Currie · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Crispy, fresh and healthy, this Apple Fennel Salad is so flavorful and fast, it's on our table regularly. Apple cider vinegar pairs up with grainy dijon for an easy and super tasty salad that can even be made ahead! (V, GF, DF)

    Easy Winter Salad of Apple Celery and Fennel with a Grainy Mustard Vinaigrette
    Easy Winter Salad of Apple Celery and Fennel with a Grainy Mustard Vinaigrette

    It is early January as I write this and I, like many are craving salads after the rich foods of the holidays and I think this is the perfect salad. Apple fennel salad is a lighter alternative to traditional coleslaw and goes really well with barbecued chicken and pork.

    These fruits and veggies are readily available throughout the year and keep well in the crisper if you're trying not to hit the grocery store too often. For more awesome apple recipes, try my Cinnamon Rolls With Apple Pie Filling, Brie and Apple Grilled Cheese or Apple Walnut Salad. So many apples, so little time.... 😉

    Raw Apples For Optimal Nutrients

    Raw fruit and veggies are the way to go for optimum nutrients and eating crunchy foods help tell our brain we are satisfied. I've partnered with Cosmic Crisp Washington Apples for this post and they are truly the best apples for recipes where the apples are raw.

    Cosmic crisp apples are naturally slower to brown after cutting which makes them awesome for this salad. (They are also awesome in kids lunch bags if your kids are picky about browning apples.)

    Crisp Cosmic Crisp Apples Are Extra Sweet And Keep Well
    Crisp Cosmic Crisp Apples Are Extra Sweet And Keep Well

    Classically Bred Apples Make Sweet Crisp Fruit

    The Cosmic Crisp apples were classically bred at Washington State University and are Non-GMO. To breed apples classically, they graft a branch from a chosen tree with desirable qualities onto rootstock, wait for the fruit to grow, and try the apples that grow. It can take many tries and many years before they know they have a consistently good apple.

    Cosmic Crisp is a cross between an Enterprise and Honeycrisp apple. These are naturally sweeter than other varieties and available across Canada at most major retailers. Next time you're at the store, have a look for them and try them for yourself!

    Best Health Food Apples Grow Well In Our Climate
    Best Health Food Apples Grow Well In Our Climate

    Are you wondering how they got their name? It's not from the fancy science, it's from the starburst-like lenticels, (the minute little spots on apples) while the "Crisp" links it to its parent, Honeycrisp. Cool, right?!

    Step by step instructions

    Back to our Apple Fennel Salad recipe. You know I love fast, right?! Just 5 ingredients in our dressing and 3-5 ingredients in the salad.

    Apples, fennel and celery are the main components but thinly sliced jicama or celery root can be added or substituted as you like. (We enjoyed some celery root in the salad in these photos.)

    The quick vinaigrette stars grainy mustard which is milder than plain Dijon, some apple cider vinegar and a touch of honey for sweetness.

    Grainy Mustard Dressing

    • Simply mix all ingredients together. Add salt and pepper last, adjusting to taste.
    Best Easy Grainy Mustard Salad Dressing
    Best Easy Grainy Mustard Salad Dressing

    Apple Fennel Celery Salad Assembly

    • Using a mandolin or sharp knife, slice all salad ingredients thinly and add to medium-large bowl.
    • Drizzle dressing over, add any celery leaves or fennel fronds if using and toss. This will keep nicely for up to half hour before serving.This salad pairs well with pork chops, ribs, sausages and more!
    A Delicious Healthy Salad That Can Be Made Ahead
    A Delicious Healthy Salad That Can Be Made Ahead

    A Little Extra Apple Recipe

    Ready to get cooking? Here is the recipe below and a few links if you are interested in learning more. Find out about the Cosmic Crisp Washington Apples here.

    If you love the dishes I used with this salad, come check out our shop here, and if you want another super delicious recipe to use these apples in, try my Easy Apple Beignets or the really tasty Asian style Carrot, Apple, Ginger Salad Dressing.

    Cheers Everyone, and remember, an apple a day keeps the doctor away! (Sorry, I couldn't help myself!)

    Quick And Easy Apple Fennel Celery Salad With Grainy Mustard Dressing

    Crisp Apple Fennel Salad With Grainy Mustard Vinaigrette

    Sweet and savoury, crunchy and satisfying, this is the ultimate winter salad. Grainy mustard and honey combine for an addictive dressing and apple cider vinegar lends acidity.
    5 from 26 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Hot Salad, Salad Dressing
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 176kcal
    Author: Sabrina Currie

    Ingredients

    Grainy Mustard Dressing

    • 2 tablespoon Grainy Mustard
    • 2 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
    • 2 teaspoon Honey
    • 3 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • Salt and Pepper to taste. (I used ¼ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon pepper)

    Apple Fennel Salad Ingredients

    • 2 Cosmic Crisp Apples
    • 1 Bulb Fennel, top and brown outside trimmed off Reserve inner green fronds for garnish
    • 3 Large Stalks Celery Use any celery leaves from the middle of celery as garnish
    • Optional ½ cup Celery Root or Jicama, peeled and trimmed

    Instructions

    Grainy Mustard Dressing

    • Simply mix all ingredients together. Add salt and pepper last, adjusting to taste.

    Apple Fennel Celery Salad Assembly

    • Using a mandolin or sharp knife, slice all salad ingredients thinly and add to medium-large bowl.
    • Drizzle dressing over, add any celery leaves or fennel fronds if using and toss. This will keep nicely for up to half hour before serving.
      This salad pairs well with pork chops, ribs, sausages and more!

    Notes

    Use Cosmic Crisp apples for their delicious crunch and they will stay white and fresh longer after cutting too.
    Make apple fennel salad up to a half hour ahead.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 176kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 120mg | Potassium: 365mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 146IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @wckitchengarden or tag #wckitchengarden!
    Cosmic Crisp Apples Are Excellent For Eating Raw
    Cosmic Crisp Apples Are Excellent For Eating Raw
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    About Sabrina Currie

    Classically French trained cook, photographer and food stylist living on beautiful Vancouver Island, BC.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Wanda

      January 19, 2021 at 9:16 am

      5 stars
      This is such a beautiful looking and sounding salad! I've got so much mustard to use up, I'm bookmarking this salad to make this weekend!

      Reply
      • SabCurrie

        January 19, 2021 at 9:29 am

        Thank you Wanda!

        Reply
    2. Elaine

      January 19, 2021 at 1:08 pm

      5 stars
      Such a fresh, crisp salad! Fennel and apples go so well together. We love that grainy mustard dressing. I used Braeburns, but will look for the Cosmics for next time.

      Reply
      • SabCurrie

        January 19, 2021 at 8:58 pm

        Awesome Elaine! Thank you for sharing 🙂

        Reply
    3. Colleen

      January 19, 2021 at 4:42 pm

      5 stars
      I made this on the weekend to go with grilled chicken and it was so fresh, crisp and delicious. Love those Cosmic Crisp Apples!

      Reply
      • SabCurrie

        January 23, 2021 at 9:07 am

        Thanks Colleen! Aren’t they yummy?! Cheers!

        Reply
    4. Bernice Hill

      January 19, 2021 at 6:22 pm

      5 stars
      This salad is the perfect way to showcase those gorgeous apples. I especially love the grainy mustard vinaigrette with apple cider vinegar.

      Reply
      • SabCurrie

        January 23, 2021 at 9:08 am

        Thanks Bernice, I was really trying to amp up the apple flavour. Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
    5. Vanessa

      January 19, 2021 at 9:21 pm

      5 stars
      I love crunchy salads - so satisfying! The vinaigrette is delicious and pairs beautifully!

      Reply
      • SabCurrie

        January 23, 2021 at 9:09 am

        Thank you so much Vanessa 🙂

        Reply
    6. Chloe

      January 21, 2021 at 11:23 pm

      5 stars
      So crisp and fresh. I love this grainy mustard dressing too, it goes perfectly!

      Reply
      • SabCurrie

        January 23, 2021 at 9:09 am

        I’m so glad you liked it, thanks for sharing!

        Reply
    7. Amy

      January 22, 2021 at 12:35 am

      5 stars
      Love apple and fennel. So good!

      Reply
    8. Kim Guzman

      January 22, 2021 at 12:38 am

      5 stars
      Delicious and refreshing. I love it!

      Reply
    9. Marcellina

      January 22, 2021 at 2:55 am

      5 stars
      The perfect flavour combinations!

      Reply
    10. Laura

      January 22, 2021 at 3:14 am

      5 stars
      I love this combo. The fennel and apple are so good together.

      Reply
    11. Jessica Stroup

      January 22, 2021 at 4:06 am

      5 stars
      Such a fresh and vibrant salad. So yummy!

      Reply
    12. FOODHEAL

      January 22, 2021 at 7:42 am

      5 stars
      I love this salad, I love everything in here, and wow, what a blessing to have an apple tree!

      Reply
      • SabCurrie

        January 23, 2021 at 9:10 am

        I sure enjoy my tree. I call it the little tree that could because it’s really small but grows a ton of apples 🙂

        Reply
    13. Lizet Bowen

      January 22, 2021 at 7:54 am

      5 stars
      Oh, so fresh and delicious! That dressing is really amazing.

      Reply
      • SabCurrie

        January 23, 2021 at 9:06 am

        Thank you Lizet, I appreciate your feedback and am so glad you like it 🙂

        Reply
    14. Linda

      January 22, 2021 at 10:19 pm

      5 stars
      There's something that I love about mustard, so when I try this mustard dressing, I'm instantly in love! Really enjoy this salad, especially with apple and fennel. Yum!

      Reply
      • SabCurrie

        January 23, 2021 at 9:06 am

        I am so glad Linda, thank you for letting me know 🙂

        Reply
    15. Kris

      January 23, 2021 at 7:49 pm

      5 stars
      Left out the celery and it was still delicous!

      Reply
      • SabCurrie

        January 24, 2021 at 9:05 am

        Awesome Kris! Thank you for letting me know 🙂

        Reply
    16. NANCY

      January 24, 2021 at 10:32 am

      5 stars
      love crispy apples and fennel... perfect bright salad for spring and summer!

      Reply
      • SabCurrie

        January 24, 2021 at 10:52 am

        Thanks so much Nancy!

        Reply
    17. Natalie

      January 25, 2021 at 3:05 am

      5 stars
      Oh yum! This sounds really delicious. I just saved the recipe. Can't wait to make this.

      Reply
    18. AmyG

      January 25, 2021 at 3:33 pm

      5 stars
      This is great for a summer salad. So satisfying and refreshing!

      Reply
    19. Audrey

      February 17, 2021 at 3:17 pm

      5 stars
      This is perfect for lunch.

      Reply
    20. Catherine

      February 17, 2021 at 3:57 pm

      5 stars
      Such a fresh and delicious salad!

      Reply
    21. Alexandra

      February 18, 2021 at 4:45 pm

      5 stars
      Such a delicious salad - so fresh and great texture!

      Reply

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