If you need a bright, refreshing salad this summer, this fennel cucumber salad with orange is the perfect choice. It takes a few minutes to make, uses only 4 ingredients, and is a family favorite.
This fennel cucumber salad is the perfect light side dish to serve with this Croatian grilled chicken or lemon garlic salmon. It’s so light, and it adds so much flavor and crunch to any meal. You’ll love how easily it comes together, too!
Fresh cucumber and orange Salad
- Quick & easy - This salad is incredibly easy to make. Just slice everything up and serve! It has only 4 ingredients, so prep is minimal.
- Bold, fresh flavors - The mild anise flavor of the fennel pairs perfectly with the fresh taste of cucumbers, and the bright orange takes the entire salad to the next level. It’s simple, but incredibly flavorful!
- Easy to customize - Although we love to serve this salad as-is, it’s also easy to adapt by adding a little honey, your favorite seasonings, fresh herbs, chopped nuts or seeds, and more. Make it your own!
Ingredients
- Fresh fennel - Wash your fennel thoroughly and slice it into thin strips.
- Navel oranges - Peel and segment the orange into small pieces.
- Cucumber - Slice and quarter the cucumber. Use a mild variety like English cucumbers.
- Orange juice - You only need a small amount, so you can squeeze it yourself.
Variations
- Add a dressing - This salad is delicious with a little store-bought poppyseed dressing!
- Season—To really highlight all the flavors, add a drizzle of honey and a pinch of salt. Salt will make the cucumbers weep, so add it only right before serving.
- Add herbs - This simple salad tastes wonderful with fresh herbs, especially mint or cilantro.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds - Add crunch with toasted sesame seeds or chopped nuts.
What You Will Need
You need a sharp knife, a cutting board, and a serving bowl for this recipe. I like using wooden bowls for salads, especially citrus salads.
How to Make Cucumber And Orange Salad
- After chopping the ingredients, mix, add the orange juice, and serve immediately.
- If you prefer, add some Brianna's Poppyseed Dressing.
Expert Tips
- Watch the bite size - This salad is great served like a chopped salad, with evenly sized bites of each item. Be careful when you’re cutting to keep everything consistent.
- Let it set - The flavors will all mingle together if you let the salad rest for 15-20 minutes. You can also refrigerate it and serve it the next day.
- Use the freshest ingredients - Because this is such a simple salad, it’s very important to use the freshest fennel and cucumbers. Soggy, wilting veggies won’t have the crunch you need.
Fennel Orange Cucumber Salad Recipe
Author: Recipe Idea Shop
Ingredients
- 1 fresh bulb fennel washed thoroughly and sliced in strips
- 2 navel oranges peeled and cut in small sections
- ½ cucumber sliced in rounds and quartered
- Juice of ½ an orange (about ¼ cup)
Instructions
- Mix all of the ingredients together and serve immediately.
- If you prefer, add some Brianna's Poppyseed Dressing.
Nutrition (may vary depending on ingredients and amounts used)
Notes
Recipe FAQs
How long does fennel cucumber salad last?
This fennel cucumber salad with orange can last in the fridge for about 1-2 days. It tastes best fresh as the cucumbers and fennel start to become soft as they sit in the orange juice mixture.
What is the best type of cucumber for fresh salads?
These days, it’s very easy to find juicy, mild-tasting cucumbers that are perfect for salads. Some cucumbers have a very bitter peel that can be offputting. Look for thin-skinned slicing varieties like English cucumbers or Persian cocktail cucumbers.
What part of fennel do you use in salad?
Although the whole fennel bulb is edible, you’ll get the best texture from the head itself. I like to remove the stalks and the tough outer layers, then slice off the base. Thinly slice the head starting from the bottom. You can save some of the fronds to add to the salad as well.
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