Radish and Fennel Salad with Lemon Dressing Recipe

Bursting with crisp flavors and zingy brightness, Radish and Fennel Salad with Lemon Dressing is a springtime favorite you’ll want in your everyday rotation. This salad celebrates the snap of fresh radish and the aromatic crunch of fennel, all brought to life by a lemony dressing that sings of Mediterranean sunshine. It’s impossibly quick to toss together yet elegant enough to steal the show at any table. Every bite offers a little crunch, a punch of tang, and the kind of fresh, herby finish that keeps you reaching for more. I adore how this salad instantly adds color and life – and can transform even an ordinary lunch into something special.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Radish and Fennel Salad with Lemon Dressing is how a handful of simple, fresh ingredients create something truly memorable. Each element is essential: they combine to deliver a truly vibrant taste, a satisfying texture, and a riot of color.

• Fennel bulb: Look for one that’s firm and white with plenty of fragrant fronds attached; its sweet, mild licorice flavor is totally refreshing.
• Radishes: Thinly sliced, they add a sharp, peppery crunch and gorgeous pops of pink to the mix.
• Mixed salad greens or arugula: Choose a peppery arugula or a favorite blend for a fresh, green base that balances the salad.
• Extra-virgin olive oil: Use a fruity, good-quality oil for a velvety dressing that ties everything together.
• Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed juice adds acidity and lifts all the flavors, making the salad irresistibly bright.
• Dijon mustard: Just a bit gives the dressing subtle heat and helps it emulsify beautifully.
• Honey: A touch of sweetness offsets the radish heat and rounds out the lemon’s tartness.
• Salt: Essential for seasoning and bringing out every ingredient’s best flavors.
• Black pepper: Adds that tiny kick of complexity you want, right at the finish.

How to Make Radish and Fennel Salad with Lemon Dressing

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

Start by trimming your fennel bulb and carefully slicing it as thin as you can – a mandoline really helps here for getting those beautifully delicate slivers! Save a handful of those pretty green fronds for a final flourish at the end. Next, slice your radishes into paper-thin rounds. This is where the crunch and the color magic begins. Toss sliced fennel and radishes into a large salad bowl with your greens or arugula.

Step 2: Whisk the Lemon Dressing

In a small bowl or a jar with a tight lid, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper. Whisk vigorously (or shake if using a jar) until the dressing is creamy and emulsified, with everything beautifully blended. The result is a zesty, balanced dressing made to lift every bite of your Radish and Fennel Salad with Lemon Dressing.

Step 3: Toss and Assemble

Drizzle your luminous lemon dressing over the bowl of crisp veggies and greens. Gently toss everything together, making sure each slice and leaf is glistening and just coated. Taste and adjust salt or pepper if needed, sampling to get that perfect flavor in every forkful.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle those reserved fennel fronds over the top for an aromatic, feathery finish. If you want to take it up a notch, add a few shavings of Parmesan cheese or a sprinkle of toasted nuts at this point — they add wonderful texture and flavor. Serve right away to enjoy all the crunch and brightness that makes this Radish and Fennel Salad with Lemon Dressing shine!

How to Serve Radish and Fennel Salad with Lemon Dressing

Garnishes

The reserved fennel fronds make a striking and fragrant topping for your salad. For a bit more wow factor, consider adding shaved Parmesan, a handful of toasted walnuts or almonds, or even a few fresh herbs like dill or mint. Each garnish brings new flavor notes and an extra dash of visual flair to Radish and Fennel Salad with Lemon Dressing.

Side Dishes

This salad is perfectly at home next to Mediterranean mains like roasted chicken, fresh seafood, or even grilled tofu for a vegan option. Its tangy crunch pairs especially well with anything rich, helping to cleanse the palate between bites. For a casual meal, serve it with warm, crusty bread or a light grain dish.

Creative Ways to Present

Radish and Fennel Salad with Lemon Dressing isn’t just tasty, it’s gorgeous. Try serving it in wide shallow bowls, layering the slices for a rainbow effect. If you’re entertaining, plate it as individual stacks for a chic starter, or scoop it into lettuce cups for interactive hors d’oeuvres. Its vibrant colors make any presentation feel special!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover salad, store it covered in the fridge for up to one day. The lemon dressing keeps the vegetables crisp, but after too long the greens will begin to lose their bite. For best results, keep any extra dressing separate and toss just before serving.

Freezing

Radish and Fennel Salad with Lemon Dressing isn’t suitable for freezing, as the fresh vegetables lose their texture and the dressing can separate. For the best flavor and crunch, enjoy this salad freshly made.

Reheating

There’s no need to reheat this salad as it’s meant to be served cold. If the salad has been in the fridge, simply allow it to sit at room temperature for a few minutes to take off the chill and let the flavors bloom again.

FAQs

Can I make Radish and Fennel Salad with Lemon Dressing ahead of time?

Yes, you can slice the radishes and fennel and store them in an airtight container for up to a day ahead. For the freshest result, combine with greens and toss with the dressing just before serving to prevent wilting.

What other vegetables work well in this salad?

Cucumber, thinly sliced celery, or even apple slices are delightful additions or substitutions for extra crunch and sweetness. Let seasonal produce inspire you!

Is this salad vegan and gluten-free?

Absolutely! Radish and Fennel Salad with Lemon Dressing is vegan and gluten-free as written, making it a fantastic option for a crowd with diverse dietary needs. Just check your mustard brand if you’re highly sensitive to gluten.

Can I double or halve this recipe?

This recipe is wonderfully flexible. Simply increase or decrease the ingredient amounts while keeping the ratios the same to match your guest list – it’s just as easy for two as it is for a party of eight.

What’s the best way to slice fennel and radishes for this salad?

A mandoline slicer gives you paper-thin, restaurant-style slices that look beautiful and keep the salad light. If you’re using a knife, just go slow and slice as thinly as you can for the perfect texture.

Final Thoughts

Radish and Fennel Salad with Lemon Dressing is the kind of dish that brightens up any day and makes you fall in love with simple, fresh food all over again. Give it a try, and let it become the quick, cheerful salad you crave whenever you want a big burst of flavor!

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