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    Home » Recipes » Salads

    Summer Fennel Salad with Feta, Watermelon & Pecans

    UPDATED Jan 31, 2023 · PUBLISHED Jul 25, 2013 BY Marjory Pilley · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Summer fennel salad with shaved fennel, watermelon, candied pecans, feta cheese and orange honey mustard vinaigrette on a plate.

    Summer fennel salad is unforgettably delicious with watermelon, feta cheese, candied pecans, and orange honey mustard vinaigrette.

    Summer fennel salad with shaved fennel, feta cheese, candied pecans, and watermelon in a large bowl.

    There's a place on the Florida Space Coast where you can dine on the rocks. Literally. I've got a picture below to prove it. But, you won't be roughing it.

    While watching dolphins, seabirds, and boats go by, you can enjoy a fancy green salad packed with goodies like shaved fennel, candied pecans, finely diced watermelon, and crumbled feta cheese. Orange blossom honey mustard vinaigrette is drizzled over the top.

    It's a green salad with a unique combination of flavors I would never have dreamed up. Thank you, River Rocks!

    I enjoy this copycat version when I can't make it to the restaurant. It's equally perfect for special occasion dinners and potlucks.

    View of River Rocks Restaurant.

    If you look closely, you can see a very long bar running along the rocks where you can look out over the water and enjoy this salad and lots of other tasty things.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Fennel FAQ
    • Directions
    • Make it a Meal
    • Make-Ahead Tips
    • More Salad Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe

    Ingredients

    Here's what you'll need to make a show-stopping summer fennel salad:

    For the base salad:

    • Tender salad greens - We used butter lettuce. Most bib lettuces are delicate and have a mild flavor. That said, any lettuce will work in this recipe, including romaine, mixed field greens, and even arugula.
    • Pecans, butter, and brown sugar to make candied pecans. If you want to save a few calories, toast and chop the pecans.
    • Fennel - Read more about fennel in the section below.
    • Watermelon - This ingredient really gives a summery vibe. It's also delicious with orange segments instead.
    • Feta cheese - Goat cheese can be used instead.

    For the orange blossom honey mustard dressing:

    • Canola oil or other mild oil, such as avocado oil.
    • Dijon mustard
    • Honey (Orange Blossom honey is obviously the best choice!)
    • Orange juice
    • White wine vinegar
    • Shallots
    • Salt
    • Pepper

    Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions.

    Fennel FAQ

    If you have yet to enjoy fennel, you may have a few questions!

    What does fennel taste like?

    Fennel has a mild anise or licorice flavor. Depending on how it's cooked, it becomes sweeter.

    What is the best season for fennel?

    Fennel is abundant in the grocery store from late winter through early spring.

    Can fennel be eaten raw in a salad?

    The white bulb can be eaten raw in a salad and is delicious. The delicate fronds can be used as a garnish. Other parts, including the roots and stalks, are edible but should be cooked first.

    Directions

    Several ingredients for this summer fennel salad require prep. Below you'll see the steps with pictures.

    When you're done, toss everything in a big bowl or plate individually and drizzle with orange honey mustard vinaigrette.

    Candied Pecans

    To candy the pecans, add butter and brown sugar to a skillet or pot. Melt and stir the mixture over medium heat. Stir in the pecans and coat them with the sugar mixture.

    Remove pecans to wax paper and allow them to cool and set while preparing the rest of the salad ingredients.

    Collage of 2 pictures: butter and brown sugar in pan and coated pecans cooling on wax paper.

    Shaved Fennel

    The best way to serve fennel raw in a salad is papery thin! Here's how to do it.

    Collage of pictures to shave fennel. 1) Fennel with fronds. 2) Fennel with bulb cut off. 3) Fennel bulb cut in half. 4) Fingers holding paper thin slices of fennel cut with a mandolin.
    1. Remove the roots from the fennel bulb if not already removed.
    2. Cut off the green fronds. You will be using only the white bulb in this recipe. Save the other parts for another recipe.
    3. Cut the bulb in half and cut out the hard middle part.
    4. Use a mandoline or knife to shave the bulb into very thin pieces; the thinner, the better!

    Diced Watermelon

    Another surprising ingredient in this summery salad is diced watermelon. It adds a pretty pink color and sweet flavor, which nicely complements fennel and other ingredients.

    Cut the watermelon into long, skinny rectangular pieces and then into smaller diced squares.

    Long skinny rectangular pieces of watermelon partially diced.

    Orange Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

    This summer fennel salad would only be complete with orange honey mustard vinaigrette. Unfortunately, I don't have River Rocks' secret salad dressing recipe, but this one is delicious. Simply mix all of the ingredients together in a glass jar and shake well!

    Orange honey mustard vinaigrette in a mason jar with a plate of summer salad with fennel, watermelon, feta, and candied pecans in front of it.

    Make it a Meal

    This fancy green side salad with shaved fennel goes well with most entrees. After all, it's a "house salad" at the restaurant. It's just not an ordinary one!

    Turn it into a meal by adding a protein, such as shrimp, chicken, or fish:

    • Margarita Shrimp (Grill or Oven)
    • Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe
    • Blackened Cod - Foolproof Recipe!

    Make-Ahead Tips

    This salad is best plated and served fresh. However, the dressing, candied pecans, can be made in advance. Store the dressing for up to a week in the refrigerator.

    Three small side salads of the fancy salad with shaved fennel, candied pecans, watermelon, and feta cheese on plates with the bowl behind it.

    More Salad Recipes

    • Columbia 1905 Salad Recipe
    • Spinach Strawberry Walnut Salad with Chicken
    • Caribbean Salad with Honey Lime Dressing

    Did you make this recipe?
    Please leave a rating and tell us how you liked it!

    📋 Recipe

    Summer fennel salad with shaved fennel, feta cheese, candied pecans, and watermelon in a large bowl.

    Summer Fennel Salad with Feta, Watermelon, and Pecans

    Summer fennel salad is unforgettably delicious with feta cheese, watermelon, candied pecans, and orange honey mustard vinaigrette.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Salad
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 421kcal
    Author: Marjory Pilley

    Ingredients

    Salad

    • 8 cups Butter lettuce or other tender greens
    • ½ cup pecans
    • 2 Tablespoons butter
    • 2 Tablespoons brown sugar packed
    • ¼ fennel bulb green fronds and hard middle core removed
    • ½ cup diced seedless watermelon
    • ½ cup feta cheese crumbled

    Orange Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

    • ⅓ cup canola oil or other mild oil, like avocado oil
    • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
    • 2 teaspoons honey
    • 3 Tablespoons orange juice
    • 2 Tablespoon white wine vinegar
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    • 1 shallot minced

    Instructions

    • To candy the pecans, melt and combine butter and brown sugar in a pan over medium heat. Add pecans and stir to coat with sugar mixture.
    • Remove pecans to wax paper and allow them to set while preparing the rest of the salad.
    • Use mandoline or knife to shave fennel into very thin slices.
    • Cut watermelon into thin slices and finely dice. Blot with paper towel, if necessary to absorb excess juice.
    • Layer salad greens, fennel, watermelon, feta cheese and pecans in a large bowl.
    • Gently toss.
    • Serve with Orange Honey Mustard Vinaigrette.

    Instructions for Dressing

    • Add the ingredients to a jar or bowl and stir vigorously to combine.
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    Nutrition

    Calories: 421kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 19g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 448mg | Potassium: 448mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 3729IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 158mg | Iron: 2mg
    Nutritional and Food Safety Disclaimer

    More Salad Recipes

    • Sweet Red Wine Vinegar Dressing - Easy Recipe!
    • Slow Cooker Chicken Salad
    • Scallops Asparagus Orzo Pasta Salad
    • Cucumber Onion Salad with Rice Vinegar
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Nini

      July 25, 2013 at 8:46 am

      5 stars
      This is yummy..I so enjoy butter lettuce...daily! And the dressing!!
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        July 25, 2013 at 12:13 pm

        Thanks! We'll have to go there next time you visit. 🙂

        Reply

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