Fennel Orange Salad

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This fresh and zesty fennel orange salad makes a lovely appetizer or side dish. Peppery arugula and fresh fennel pair with sweet orange slices and rich, creamy burrata cheese, along with an orange, white wine vinegar and garlic vinaigrette. You’ll love how the zesty citrus and acidic white wine vinegar contrasts with the creamy burrata and sweet flavors in this summery dish. The vibrant flavors are amazing and it’s so simple to prepare. So, if you’ve been looking for new salad recipes to try out, give this orange salad a whirl. It pairs beautifully with everything from grilled chicken to poached fish and beyond.

A fresh salad with greens, sliced citrus fruits, fennel, and dollops of cheese on a white platter.

This citrusy fennel orange salad is quick and easy to make and offers tasty flavors like fresh orange, arugula and fennel, along with a tangy, refreshing salad dressing.

You might also like shaved asparagus and fennel salad, charred zucchini salad or tomato and burrata salad.

Salad with burrata, orange slices, arugula, and basil on a blue plate, with dressing and olive oil nearby.

Why You’ll Love It

So easy to prepare: Apart from slicing and shaving some of the ingredients and shaking the vinaigrette ingredients together, there’s really not much more to do!
Beautiful flavors: Sweet orange and honey combine and contrast with tangy white wine vinegar, anise flavor from the fennel, creamy burrata cheese and more, for a highly satisfying salad packed with flavor.
You can prep it ahead: Do your slicing and shaving ahead, make the vinaigrette in advance and you can assemble it in just a few minutes when you’re ready to serve.
A versatile dish: You can enjoy fennel orange salad as an appetizer before pretty much any dish or you can pair it with your protein of choice, perhaps chicken, fish, pork, or tofu.
Gluten-free: There’s no gluten in this fennel and orange salad.

Salad with arugula, citrus slices, burrata, and fennel on a white platter, surrounded by dressing and ingredients.

Citrus Fennel Salad Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Oranges: Ripe juicy oranges are the best to use for maximum flavor and freshness. You’ll need navel oranges, blood oranges, plus some orange juice and zest for the vinaigrette dressing.
Fennel slices: Raw fennel has a black licorice taste and it is best served in paper thin slices.
White wine vinegar: Adds an acidic tang to contrast with the creamy burrata and sweetness of the orange and honey.
Burrata cheese: An Italian semi-soft cheese that’s made with mozzarella and cream.
Basil: Adds a fragrant flavor and makes a pretty garnish.
Arugula: A peppery tasting salad leaf. Baby arugula has a more subtle flavor.

Ingredients for a salad including citrus, arugula, burrata, and seasonings arranged on a marble surface.

How to Make Fennel Orange Salad

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Make the dressing: Whisk the dressing ingredients together to combine.
Assemble the salad: Toss the arugula with half the dressing and add to a serving platter or salad bowl. Add the thin slices of fennel, orange slices and cheese on top and garnish with fresh basil.
Dress the salad: Drizzle the remaining dressing over the salad and serve right away.

Salad with arugula, fennel, orange, and blood orange slices, topped with buffalo mozzarella and dressing on the side.

Substitutions and Variations

Add crunch: Add pistachios, almonds or walnuts for a little crunch.
Burrata: Swap the burrata for fresh mozzarella, goat cheese or feta.
Add a protein: Give this salad a protein boost with grilled shrimp or chicken.
Arugula: Not keen on peppery arugula? Use baby spinach, romaine or a mixture of different leaves. Radicchio would be good in this dish too.
Fennel: You can save the fennel fronds for a garnish.
Add more herbs: Include more fresh herbs like fresh mint, chives or parsley.
Oranges: Swap the blood oranges for grapefruit or the navel oranges for tangerines.
White wine vinegar: Substitute champagne vinegar or fresh lemon juice.
Salad dressing: Instead of the vinaigrette, you could use a tarragon dressing or honey and Dijon mustard dressing instead.

Colorful salad with arugula, orange slices, and cheese on a blue plate, next to an orange half and dressing.

Serving Suggestions

As an appetizer: Add freshly baked soda bread, focaccia or another kind of homemade bread.
With seafood: Grilled salmon, crab legs, scallops, lobster and shrimp.
With pasta: Gnocchi alla sorrentina, Mediterranean chicken pasta, fettuccine alfredo, or angel hair with olive oil would be good with fennel orange salad.
With soup: Enjoy it with a chilled gazpacho or chilled creamy cucumber dill soup.

Fresh salad with arugula, oranges, fennel, burrata, and citrus dressing in a white bowl.

How to Store Citrus Salad with Fennel

Store: This salad is best eaten fresh, but leftover salad (without dressing) can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Store the vinaigrette in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and shake well before using.
Freeze: This salad is not freezer-friendly due to the texture of the burrata and the salad leaves don’t freeze either.

Plate with arugula, orange slices, burrata, and basil. Dressing and olive oil nearby. Fork on white napkin.

Top Tips

Keep it fresh: Assemble the salad just before serving to keep the arugula crisp and burrata creamy.
Prep ahead: Slice the fennel and oranges ahead of time and store separately in the refrigerator until ready to assemble. You can also make the vinaigrette ahead.
Thinly slice the fennel: Use a mandoline slicer to shave the fennel paper thin. If you don’t have a mandoline, you can thinly slice the fennel bulb with a sharp knife.

Salad with arugula, fennel, blood orange slices, and mozzarella on a white plate.

Tangy Citrus Fennel and Burrata Salad FAQs

What’s the difference between navel oranges and blood oranges?

This recipe calls for both because they offer slightly different flavors and also different colors so they look pretty on the plate. Navel oranges are sweet and seedless. They have a little hole at the top that looks like a navel, hence the name. Blood oranges are red in color and offer subtle tart and floral flavors.

Which wine pairs best with this salad?

A dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, Sancerre or Pinot Grigio would work, or you could opt for a medium-dry Riesling or Pinot Blanc.

Fennel Orange and Burrata Salad Recipe

Ingredients for a salad on a marble surface: orange slices, mozzarella, basil, garlic, olive oil, and a jar with dressing.

This mouthwatering burrata, blood orange and fennel salad offers sweet and tangy flavors along with plenty of crunch. It would make a wonderful dinner party appetizer and it also pairs well with proteins such as fish and chicken. Crunchy fennel, juicy orange, creamy burrata cheese, peppery arugula, and a tangy garlicky vinaigrette.

Other Recipes to Try

Fresh fennel, orange, blood orange, arugula, and mozzarella salad with black pepper—our vibrant fennel orange salad is a delicious burst of flavors.

Fennel orange salad with crisp greens, sliced fennel, juicy orange and blood orange segments, topped with cheese. Text reads "Fennel Orange Salad." This vibrant fennel orange salad is fresh and full of flavor.

Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.