I originally made this celery, apple and fennel salad to go along with some ribs my dad was making. (You can go check out the recipe here.) I figured the bright crunchy veg with the sharp acidic dressing would go well with the fatty ribs. And spoiler alert, it did.

This is a great salad to make with any fatty rich piece of meat or anything fried. So, a great option for grilled meat this summer. Or, if you’re in a no-cook kinda mood, open a can of smoked, tinned fish, or sardines, a piece of toasted bread and your meal is done.

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Celery Apple Fennel Salad with sesame parsley and radish

It goes great with ribs, just saying.

Fresh and Crisp Celery Fennel Salad with Apple

This refreshing celery salad combines the crisp crunch of fresh celery with the delicate anise notes of fennel and the sweet-tart flavors of green apple. Perfect for any season, this celery fennel salad brings together aromatic sesame oil, fresh parsley, and peppery radishes for an easy side dish that’s both impressive and incredibly simple to prepare. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch or a sophisticated dinner party starter, this celery salad recipe delivers some serious crunch and flavor!

Ingredients for the Perfect Celery Salad

Celery – Fresh, crisp stalks provide the foundation of this salad with their signature crunch and clean flavor
Green Apple – Adds a sweet-tart brightness and complementary crispness to the salad
Fennel Bulb – Brings a subtle licorice flavor and delicate crunch, with bonus aromatic fronds for garnish
Fresh Parsley – Offers a fresh, herbaceous element and beautiful color contrast
Radishes – Add a peppery bite and vibrant color to the mix
Sesame Seeds – Toasted seeds provide nutty depth and subtle texture
Rice Wine Vinegar – Creates a light, tangy dressing that doesn’t overpower
Toasted Sesame Oil – Nutty and delicious
Chinese Five Spice – Gives this salad it signature flavor

How to make Celery and Fennel Salad with Apple

Prepare Your Vegetables
Begin by thinly slicing the celery stalks on a diagonal. Next, slice your fennel bulb as thinly as possible, setting aside some of the feathery fronds for garnish. Trim and slice your radishes into thin rounds.
Prep the Apple
Core and thinly slice the green apple. You want to cut them roughly the same thickness as the celery and the fennel for consistency in the salad.
Prepare the Herbs
Sort through your parsley leaves, keeping them whole or roughly chop any leaves that are really big.
Make the Dressing
Combine the rice wine vinegar, toasted sesame oil, and a pinch of five spice powder in a small bowl.
Assemble the Salad
In a large bowl, combine all sliced vegetables, apple, and herbs. Drizzle with the prepared dressing and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
Final Touches
Sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and give everything a final gentle toss. Garnish with reserved fennel fronds.

Frequently Asked Questions About Celery Salad

Can I make this celery fennel salad ahead of time?

While best served fresh, you can prepare the vegetables in advance. Store them separately and combine with the dressing just before serving.

How do I prevent the apple from browning?

Toss the sliced apple in a bit of the rice wine vinegar, or lemon juice, immediately after cutting, or prepare it last just before assembling the salad.

How long will leftovers keep?

This salad is best enjoyed within 24 hours of preparation, stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Serving Suggestions

This salad goes great with grilled or roasted meats, and fish. This recipe was developed along with these Easy Oven Baked Ribs. I love this with a can of sardines for lunch. It’s perfect for outdoor gatherings, picnics, and potlucks, since it’ll hold up well at room temperature. Consider doubling the recipe for larger gatherings, as this refreshing salad tends to disappear quickly.

Tips for the Best Celery Salad

Use the freshest ingredients possible for optimal crunch and flavor
Slice all ingredients thinly and uniformly for the best eating experience
Toast the sesame seeds until golden brown to enhance their nutty flavor
Adjust the five spice powder carefully – a little goes a long way
Don’t skip the sesame oil – it’s crucial for that nutty flavor

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5 from 2 votes

Celery Apple and Fennel Salad

Celery, apple and fennel salad with toasted sesame, parsley and radish.

Prep Time10

Cook Time0

Total Time10

Course: Lunch, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: apple, celery, fennel, parsely, radish, salad, sesame

Servings:

Author: Rachel Lerro

Ingredients

3 stalks celery sliced on a diagonal
1 green apple thinly sliced
1 large handful parsley leaves
1 bulb fennel thinly sliced, reserving small handful of fennel fronds
1 bunch radishes more or less depending on the size, and/or you love of radishes
1 tbsp roasted sesame seeds
2 tsp rice wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 pinch five spice powder
salt
fresh ground black pepper

Instructions

Thinly slice the fennel, apple, celery and radish. Give the parsley a rough chop if you need to, you want to keep the leaves pretty big here. Toss everything in the vinegar. Then give it a generous sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, a pinch of five spice powder, a good drizzle of toasted sesame oil. Season with salt and pepper. Toss again and serve.