We love this fresh and easy apple salad recipe made with crisp apples, celery, fennel, and an easy creamy dressing.
Who said you need lettuce to make a salad? This easy apple salad with celery and fennel is crisp, fresh, creamy, and delicious. Serve this on the side or as a bed for grilled or roasted meats or to keep it vegetarian, try topping with roasted root vegetables or squash. We love using a crisp apple like Granny Smith, Fiji, or Honeycrisp. Taste the apples you are using first, if it seems on the tart side, consider adjusting the dressing with a little more honey or maple syrup.
Makes 4 servings
APPLE SALAD
2 medium apples, cored and thinly sliced
3 stalks celery, peeled and sliced, see notes
1 fennel bulb, cored and thinly sliced
1 scallion or 4 chives, chopped
1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
1/2 cup pecans, hazelnuts or walnuts, lightly toasted, see notes
SALAD DRESSING
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons crème fraîche or substitute sour cream, mayonnaise or plain yogurt, see notes
Salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS
- In a large salad bowl, whisk together the mustard, vinegar, and honey or maple syrup until blended. Gradually add the oil, whisking constantly, until the dressing looks well blended and creamy.
- Whisk in the crème fraîche, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of fresh ground black pepper. Taste, and then adjust with additional salt, vinegar or sweetener.
- Add the sliced apples, celery, fennel, scallions or chives, dill, and the nuts. Toss well.
- If you have any fennel fronds — the wispy tops of the fennel stalk that look similar to dill — scatter a few over the salad, and then serve.