Crisp & Refreshing Shaved Fennel, Cucumber & Celery Salad with Zesty Lemon Vinaigrette
Prepare for a culinary delight that offers a fresh and invigorating take on a classic side dish: our Shaved Fennel, Cucumber, and Celery Salad. This vibrant salad is celebrated for its incredible crispness, refreshing coolness, and the bright finish from a perfectly balanced lemon juice and Champagne vinegar dressing. It’s not just incredibly easy to prepare; it’s also wonderfully fresh and profoundly satisfying. Ideal for a light lunch, a sophisticated side dish, or a vibrant addition to any potluck, this salad promises to become a staple in your recipe repertoire.
The inspiration for this memorable salad came to me several years ago during a business trip to Marin County, just north of San Francisco. My colleague and I stumbled upon a charming, unassuming Italian restaurant – its name, unfortunately, has faded from memory over time. Yet, one dish stood out remarkably and has remained vivid in my mind ever since: a stunning shaved fennel salad. It was perfectly combined with thinly sliced English cucumbers and crisp celery, all brought together by an exceptionally bright and lemony dressing. The secret to its exquisite texture was the super-thin slicing of all three vegetables, likely achieved with a mandoline. This recipe is my loving tribute to that unforgettable salad, recreated to capture the essence of its fresh, bold, and invigorating flavors.
The Star Ingredients and Their Vibrant Flavors
Each component of this shaved fennel salad plays a crucial role in creating its distinct and appealing flavor profile:
- Fennel: The cornerstone of this salad, fennel, contributes a unique and pronounced anise-like flavor. When shaved thinly, it retains an exquisite crunch that holds up beautifully even after being dressed. Beyond its delightful taste, fennel is packed with fiber, Vitamin C, and potassium, offering a healthy boost to your meal. Its feathery fronds can also be used as a garnish, adding a touch of elegance and extra herbal notes.
- Celery: Adding another layer of herbaceousness and satisfying crispness, celery complements the fennel perfectly. Its slightly peppery and earthy notes provide a wonderful balance to the brighter flavors, while also contributing essential vitamins and antioxidants.
- Cucumber: The cucumber is the ultimate refreshing element in this salad. Whether you choose English or Persian varieties, their high water content and mild flavor provide a cooling contrast to the more assertive notes of fennel and celery. They add a lovely juiciness and an undeniable freshness that makes the salad incredibly palatable, especially on warmer days.
When all these thinly sliced vegetables are gently tossed together, they create a symphony of textures and flavors – crisp, cool, and subtly aromatic. The entire composition is then enhanced by a delicate, bright lemon dressing and finished with a sprinkle of sea salt, which truly makes every bite pop.
Mastering the Art of Thin Slicing
Achieving the signature delicate texture of this Shaved Fennel, Cucumber, and Celery Salad is greatly simplified with a mandoline slicer. This kitchen tool allows you to create incredibly thin, uniform slices of vegetables with ease and efficiency. Consistent thickness is key here, as it ensures an even texture and allows the dressing to coat every piece perfectly.
If you don’t have a mandoline, don’t worry! You can still achieve excellent results by slicing your vegetables as thinly as possible with a sharp chef’s knife. It might require a bit more patience and knife skill, but the effort is well worth it for the light and airy feel of the finished salad. The goal is to make the slices almost translucent to ensure that delightful, tender-crisp bite.
Tips for Preparing Shaved Fennel, Cucumber & Celery Salad Ahead of Time
While this salad is best enjoyed freshly assembled, some components can be prepped in advance. This makes it a fantastic option for entertaining or for quick weeknight meals. Here are a few essential tips:
- Preventing Fennel Oxidation: Once cut, fennel can oxidize and turn brown, much like apples. To easily prevent this, immerse your thinly sliced fennel in a bowl of cold water with a generous squeeze of lemon juice immediately after slicing. The acid in the lemon juice acts as a natural antioxidant, keeping the fennel crisp and bright. Remember to drain the fennel very well before assembling the salad to avoid a watery result.
- Cucumber Care: Cucumbers, especially thinly sliced English and Persian varieties, tend to wilt quickly when dressed. To maintain their refreshing crunch, it’s crucial to add them to the salad and toss with the dressing right before serving. You can slice them ahead of time and store them separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Celery’s Resilience: Fortunately, celery is quite robust and holds up very well to vinaigrettes, even if dressed a little earlier. However, for optimal crispness, it’s still best to combine it with the dressing closer to serving time.
By following these simple steps, you can enjoy a perfectly fresh and crisp salad every time, even if you’ve done some of the prep work in advance.
The Simple Yet Flavorful Lemon-Champagne Vinaigrette
The dressing for this shaved fennel salad is a testament to the power of simplicity. With just a few high-quality ingredients, you can create a vinaigrette that perfectly highlights the freshness of the vegetables without overpowering them. This bright, zesty dressing can also be prepared in advance and stored overnight in the refrigerator, allowing its flavors to meld beautifully.
The vinaigrette consists of:
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Provides a vital tangy and acidic backbone, cutting through the richness and enhancing the natural flavors of the vegetables. Always opt for fresh-squeezed for the best taste.
- Champagne Vinegar: This delicate vinegar adds a subtle fruity and floral note, offering a more refined acidity compared to harsher vinegars. If Champagne vinegar isn’t available, white wine vinegar or even a good quality apple cider vinegar can be used as a suitable substitute.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil is essential here, providing richness, a silky texture, and its own complex, peppery notes that round out the dressing.
- Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: These seasonings are crucial for balancing the flavors and bringing everything to life. Sea salt is particularly recommended for its clean taste.
Whisk these ingredients together until emulsified, and you have a dressing that’s both subtle and impactful, truly elevating this shaved fennel, cucumber, and celery salad.
Assembling and Serving the Salad to Perfection
Assembling this shaved fennel salad is quick and straightforward, making it perfect for last-minute meal additions. In a shallow bowl, combine the well-drained fennel, thinly sliced celery, and cucumber. Pour about half of the prepared vinaigrette over the vegetables. Gently toss everything together, ensuring each piece is lightly coated. Taste the salad and adjust the dressing as needed; some prefer a lighter touch, while others enjoy a more generous coating. Finish with a final pinch of flaky sea salt just before serving. This small detail enhances the crunch and brightens all the flavors. Serve immediately to enjoy maximum crispness and freshness.
This versatile Shaved Fennel, Cucumber, and Celery Salad pairs beautifully with a variety of main courses. It’s particularly outstanding with proteins like our flavorful Yogurt Herb Marinated Grilled Chicken or the comforting Simple Herb Roasted Chicken. It also makes an excellent accompaniment to grilled fish, lamb chops, or even as a light and refreshing side to a heartier pasta dish. For an added layer of flavor and texture, consider garnishing with some fresh dill, mint, or a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts or pistachios. A few shavings of Parmesan cheese can also add a delightful savory note.
Health Benefits of This Refreshing Salad
Beyond its incredible taste, this Shaved Fennel, Cucumber, and Celery Salad is a powerhouse of nutrition. Fennel is known for its digestive benefits and contains potent antioxidants. Cucumbers contribute to hydration and provide vitamins K and C. Celery is rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and vitamins. Combined with the heart-healthy extra virgin olive oil and vitamin C-rich lemon juice in the dressing, this salad is not only delicious but also a fantastic way to nourish your body. It’s a naturally low-carb, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly option that fits a wide range of dietary preferences, making it an ideal choice for anyone seeking a healthy and flavorful meal.
Variations to Customize Your Shaved Fennel Salad
While the classic combination is perfect as is, this shaved fennel salad is also incredibly adaptable. Feel free to experiment with these delicious variations:
- Add More Herbs: Fresh dill, parsley, or mint can enhance the salad’s aromatic profile.
- Citrus Boost: Introduce segments of orange or grapefruit for an extra burst of bright, sweet-tart flavor, pairing wonderfully with the fennel’s anise notes.
- Crunchy Additions: Toasted nuts like almonds, pistachios, or walnuts, or seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds, will add a delightful crunch.
- Cheese Factor: Shaved Parmesan, crumbled feta, or goat cheese can introduce a creamy, salty, or tangy element.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes in the dressing can add a subtle kick.
- Other Vegetables: Thinly sliced radishes, cherry tomatoes, or even bell peppers can add color and different textures.
- Sweetness Balance: A tiny drizzle of honey or maple syrup in the dressing can balance the acidity, especially if you prefer a slightly sweeter vinaigrette.
Don’t hesitate to make this recipe your own by incorporating your favorite ingredients!
Shaved Fennel, Cucumber and Celery Salad
Ana | Claudia’s Table
June 1, 2021
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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Mandoline slicer (or a very sharp knife)
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Large bowl for mixing
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Small bowl for vinaigrette
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Whisk
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 1/2 large English cucumber peeled and thinly sliced (use a mandoline for best results)
- 1 medium Fennel bulb fronds removed, cored, and thinly sliced (use a mandoline for best results)
- 1 large Celery stalk, thinly sliced (use a mandoline for best results)
For the Lemon-Champagne Vinaigrette
- 2 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 tbsp champagne vinegar or red/white wine vinegar
- 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Sea salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
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Peel the English cucumber and slice it very thinly using a mandoline or a sharp knife. Set aside in a separate bowl.
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Wash the celery stalk and slice it thinly, again with a mandoline or sharp knife. Set aside with the cucumber.
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Prepare the fennel bulb by removing the fronds (reserve some for garnish if desired) and coring it. Slice the fennel bulb very thinly using a mandoline or sharp knife. Immediately place the sliced fennel in a bowl of cold water with a generous squeeze of lemon juice to prevent oxidation (browning).
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When you are ready to assemble the salad, drain the fennel thoroughly.
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In a small bowl, prepare the simple dressing: combine the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Champagne vinegar, a pinch of sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk well until all ingredients are completely combined and slightly emulsified.
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In a large, shallow serving bowl, combine the drained fennel, sliced cucumber, and sliced celery. Pour about half of the prepared vinaigrette over the vegetables. Toss gently to coat.
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Taste the salad and adjust seasoning or add more dressing as needed, based on your preference.
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Sprinkle with an additional pinch of sea salt just before serving to enhance flavors and crunch.
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Serve immediately to enjoy the maximum crispness and refreshing flavors.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is calculated online and should be used as a guide.
All content and photographs ©Claudia’s Table and claudiastable.com
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