Include in Print View:

Easy Sweet Orange Fennel Salad with Italian Dressing

I feel like so many of us fall into the default salad. A classic bowl filled with iceberg lettuce, croutons, shaved carrots, cherry tomatoes, and a hefty handful of croutons. Don’t get me wrong it is delicious but having the same salad can get dull at times. I’m here to introduce you to your  new favorite salad. This bright sweet citrusy fennel salad will be a new addition to your table. Filled with sweet oranges, crisp fennel, salty tangy green olives all tossed in a classic Italian vinaigrette. 

Salad Additions or Substitutes:

  • Fruit like apples, pomegranates, grapes, dried cranberries, tomatoes, avacado
  • Substitute olives for additional chickpeas, sesame seeds, or sunflower seeds 
  • Substitute fennel with celery
  • Fresh herbs like fresh cilantro or parsley 
  • Chopped scallions, peppers, and  onions 
  • Grains:  farro, quinoa, rice, croutons
  • Protein: hard boiled eggs, grilled chicken, feta cheese, mozzarella, goat cheese, legumes

Making Ahead

The dressing can be made up to 4 days in advance. If stored in the fridge, let it come to room temp so the olive oil becomes liquid. The salad can be made undressed 2-3 days in advance. Before serving, toss with dressing. 

Meal ideas

This refreshing salad is good on its own. As a main entree,  I typically add whole grains and additional protein like goat cheese and nuts/seeds. Want to serve it as a side?  My family loves serving it alongside lamb chops, lemon chicken, shish kabobs, lasagna, and creamy curry soup.

Let me know in the comments what you think! Hope you enjoy this refreshing salad at your family table.

Prep Time 15 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Cooking Method:
Cuisine:
Courses:
Difficulty: Beginner
Servings: 4
Description

Brighten your taste buds with this sweet yet tangy orange fennel salad. Easy to assemble in under 15 minutes with a great make ahead dressing. 


Ingredients
    Italian Vinaigrette
  • ¾ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup red or white wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
  • 1 tsp sugar or sweetener of choice
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil or Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tsp 1 garlic powder or 1 fresh clove garlic minced
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (add ¼ tsp based on taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
    • Salad
  • 3 romaine heads, chopped
  • 2 fennel bulbs, sliced into strips (see substitution notes)
  • 2 peeled oranges, sliced
  • ¼ cup of olives chopped (see substitutions notes)
  • 1 can chickpeas drained
  • 1 English cucumber, sliced (optional)
  • 2 green onions, chopped
Instructions
  1. 1
    Cut romaine into bite size pieces. Place into a large bowl. Next cut the toppings; fennel, oranges, olives, and remaining additional toppings of choice. Reserve a small portion of toppings around ½ cup to top the salad for presentation.
  2. 2
    In a tall bowl or mason jar mix the dressing ingredients together and pour over salad. Toss salad together right before serving. See notes on making ahead below.
Note

Substitutions:

  • Substitute olives for additional chickpeas, sesame seeds, or sunflower seeds 
  • Substitute fennel for celery

Making Ahead

The dressing can be made up to 4 days in advance. If stored in the fridge, let it come to room temp so the olive oil becomes liquid. The salad can be made undressed 2-3 days in advance. Before serving, toss with dressing. 

Keywords: Orange, fennel, salad, Italian
Read it online: https://twinkletoestastings.com/recipe/bright-orange-fennel-salad/