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)
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.)
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!
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.
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 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!)
Crisp Apple Fennel Salad With Grainy Mustard Vinaigrette
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
Nutrition
Wanda
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!
SabCurrie
Thank you Wanda!
Elaine
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.
SabCurrie
Awesome Elaine! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Colleen
I made this on the weekend to go with grilled chicken and it was so fresh, crisp and delicious. Love those Cosmic Crisp Apples!
SabCurrie
Thanks Colleen! Aren’t they yummy?! Cheers!
Bernice Hill
This salad is the perfect way to showcase those gorgeous apples. I especially love the grainy mustard vinaigrette with apple cider vinegar.
SabCurrie
Thanks Bernice, I was really trying to amp up the apple flavour. Thanks for sharing!
Vanessa
I love crunchy salads - so satisfying! The vinaigrette is delicious and pairs beautifully!
SabCurrie
Thank you so much Vanessa 🙂
Chloe
So crisp and fresh. I love this grainy mustard dressing too, it goes perfectly!
SabCurrie
I’m so glad you liked it, thanks for sharing!
Amy
Love apple and fennel. So good!
Kim Guzman
Delicious and refreshing. I love it!
Marcellina
The perfect flavour combinations!
Laura
I love this combo. The fennel and apple are so good together.
Jessica Stroup
Such a fresh and vibrant salad. So yummy!
FOODHEAL
I love this salad, I love everything in here, and wow, what a blessing to have an apple tree!
SabCurrie
I sure enjoy my tree. I call it the little tree that could because it’s really small but grows a ton of apples 🙂
Lizet Bowen
Oh, so fresh and delicious! That dressing is really amazing.
SabCurrie
Thank you Lizet, I appreciate your feedback and am so glad you like it 🙂
Linda
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!
SabCurrie
I am so glad Linda, thank you for letting me know 🙂
Kris
Left out the celery and it was still delicous!
SabCurrie
Awesome Kris! Thank you for letting me know 🙂
NANCY
love crispy apples and fennel... perfect bright salad for spring and summer!
SabCurrie
Thanks so much Nancy!
Natalie
Oh yum! This sounds really delicious. I just saved the recipe. Can't wait to make this.
AmyG
This is great for a summer salad. So satisfying and refreshing!
Audrey
This is perfect for lunch.
Catherine
Such a fresh and delicious salad!
Alexandra
Such a delicious salad - so fresh and great texture!