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Justine Doiron

just real good food

Dairy Free, Recipes, Salads + Soups, Special Diets, Toasts, Vegan, Vegetarian · January 5, 2023

Fennel Salad with Tempeh & Walnut Dressing

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Fennel salad with tempeh and walnut dressing.

This creamy vegan fennel salad is exactly what I want to be eating in the winter. It’s rich, it’s filling, it’s perfectly wholesome and it’s absolutely delicious. I don’t often eat salads, so when I do, I need to know that it will leave me feeling completely satisfied, and this simple fennel salad definitely fits the bill!

And the best part is, this raw fennel salad looks like a lot of components, but if you pay attention to the order that you do everything, it’ll only take you about 20 minutes. Just start with tossing the tempeh in the oven, then prep the walnut cream and the dressing, chop your veg, and assemble! It doesn’t hurt that this winter fennel salad also uses bread as its main vehicle, meaning you can dip, tear, and crunch your way right into 2023.

How to make fennel salad with crispy tempeh

Table of contents

  • The ingredients you will need for this fennel salad with tempeh
  • How to make crispy tempeh
  • How to make the walnut cream
  • Why are there two “dressings” for this fennel salad?
  • How to assemble and serve this vegan fennel salad with tempeh
  • FAQ
  • What to use in a fennel salad recipe if you don’t like fennel
  • Looking for other salad recipes?
  • Watch the video here:
Tempeh and crumbled tempeh

The ingredients you will need for this fennel salad with tempeh

  • 8 oz. pack of tempeh
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/3 cup walnut halves
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, plus more as needed
  • 3-4 sprigs fresh dill, stems removed
  • 1 tbsp capers
  • 1 lemon, for juicing
  • 1 medium fennel
  • 1 small red onion
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • Kosher salt & fresh cracked black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup torn basil and mint, optional, but really delicious
  • 2-4 slices thick sourdough bread, for serving
Crispy tempoh

How to make crispy tempeh

Crispy tempeh is soon going to join the ranks of crispy quinoa, I can just feel it. Not only is it packed with protein, it’s an utterly delicious topping that is a great replacement for roasted nuts in a recipe. The tempeh won’t pack quite the same crunch, but it will have some great bite to it that you can achieve in only 15 minutes!

To make it, just crumble or chop up the tempeh until it is in small crumbles. Drizzle with a tablespoon or so of olive oil and season with salt. Roast at 400°F for 15-18 minutes, or until the tempeh is golden brown.

Vegan walnut cream

How to make the walnut cream

Once the tempeh is in the oven, everything else is laid out in a certain order so that you’ll be done with the recipe right when the tempeh is done!

To make the walnut cream, first soak the walnuts for a few minutes. This really helps soften them up for the blending process. It’s around this time you’ll soak the cranberries too, but that’s for a different component of the recipe.

After the walnuts have soaked, drain the water (you’ll want to use fresh later) and add it to a blender with the dill, capers, and juice from one lemon. Blend until smooth and season with salt and pepper! It’s that easy!

Dressing ingredients for this vegan fennel salad

Why are there two “dressings” for this fennel salad?

Short answer: because I’m a maximalist! Just kidding, just kidding, the real answer is that I wanted two distinct layers of flavor to this salad, and if I was already making one component, why not maximize it into two? So the walnut cream was already one of the base parts of the recipe (you can see me use walnut cream in another salad here, I just love the stuff) and whisking it in with the cranberries, honey and mustard just seemed like the right move to make the salad dressing a perfect balance of earthy and sweet. And then we have leftover walnut cream for the bread! It’s a win-win-win for this vegan fennel salad recipe.

Fennel salad with two dressings.

How to assemble and serve this vegan fennel salad with tempeh

Even with two dressings, assembling this fennel salad is quick and easy. Add the fennel, fronds and red onion to the bowl and toss to coat in the dressing. You can use salad tongs for this, but clean hands are also welcome! Season with salt and pepper as needed.

If using, add the torn basil and mint. Fresh herbs are really going to add another layer of flavor with the fennel fronds. When the tempeh is out of the oven, toss half in with the salad and use the other half for topping. Spread each slice of bread with a small amount of walnut cream and pile high with the salad. Sprinkle with the remaining tempeh and serve!

Adding tempeh to fennel salad.

FAQ

Can I make this salad for meal prep?

Absolutely! This salad is wonderful when you make it ahead. You can dress it ahead of time, but for optimal serving I recommend dressing it right before you want to eat it. Store all the components separately to make sure they last the week!

What is the best way to store this fennel salad?

I like to store this fennel salad ready to assemble, but all in separate containers. This means have the fennel and onion in one airtight container, and the tempeh in another, and the dressings in their own separate holders. Store in the fridge and it should all last up to 5 days!

Do I have to use fennel in this salad?

You absolutely don’t have to, you can sub the fennel for any other thick winter vegetable like kale, cabbage, swiss chard etc. Just make sure to thinly slice the vegetables you choose to use, and maybe include the herbs in the recipe for some extra flavor that you’ll miss from the fennel!

Do I have to use tempeh in this recipe?

Absolutely not, you can sub this for any toasted crushed nuts, or even my crispy chickpea recipe (see the blog for more details!)

Mixing a fennel salad.

What to use in a fennel salad recipe if you don’t like fennel

Look, I get it, fennel is a divisive veg! I personally love it, but some people can be off-put by fennel’s very distinctive taste and even more distinctive, fibrous texture. If you are averse to fennel, I’ve found removing the stalks can remove a lot of the licorice flavor, and it’s a great starting point if you are open to trying fennel again. However, if you are strictly Team “no fennel thank you!” here are a few other vegetables I recommend:

  • Kohlrabi – a bit harder to find, and just as fibrous, but a real treat if you slice it thinly.
  • Kale – because you know I love it, plus it can really stand up to this dressing!
  • Savoy cabbage – sliced razor thin, of course.
  • Swiss chard – ditto, the thin slicing here makes all the difference.
Sourdough bread

Looking for other salad recipes?

I have a few that people are loving lately! Here are my favorites from the blog:

Baked Cabbage Salad with Winter Romesco
This salad is comforting, wholesome and filling. Paired with bits of crispy garlic, sage and nuts, creamy ricotta and bright romesco, it's a salad I'll have on repeat all winter. If you're cooking to make this salad a meal, this recipe will work for about 2 servings. If you're looking to use it as a side dish, it's fit to serve about 4!
Check out this recipe
Sautéed Kale Salad with Ricotta Salata
This warm salad takes sweet balsamic sautéed kale & greens and pairs it perfectly with a roasted red pepper chickpea mash, add in some jammy shallots and ricotta salata and it's exactly what I eat when I want an excuse to pile a mountain of vegetables on a plate. It might not be the prettiest warm salad, but it is definitely one of the most fulfilling.
Check out this recipe
Brussel Sprout Salad with Anchovy Tahini & Za’atar Chickpeas
Another addition to warm-salad season is this brussels sprout salad dream. It's kind of like a caesar salad's younger, hotter (sorry caesar!) sister. It's easy to make, creamy and delicious, and of course, baked.
Check out this recipe
Baked Kale Salad with Crispy Quinoa
When hot salad season starts (and yes, it's a thing) this Baked Kale Salad with Crispy Quinoa is the only one I want. All the vegetables are roasted in the oven, and the quinoa is toasted to a crispy perfection. It's the perfect balance of flavors and a great way to pack vegetables into your meal.
Check out this recipe
Image of fennel salad with tempeh on toast.

Watch the video here:

And that’s everything for this plant-forward fennel salad recipe!

If you make it, please tag me on Pinterest or Instagram so I can see! It’s my favorite thing to scroll through stories and see what you all are making.

Finished fennel salad with tempeh.

And of course feel free to leave any questions, comments or reviews! This is the best place to reach me, and I’d love to hear from you <3

Fennel Salad with Tempeh & Walnut Dressing

5 from 2 votes
This fennel salad is light but creamy, thinly sliced, filled with flavor and the only way I like to eat raw vegetables in the winter. Serve with thick slices of crusty bread and crispy tempeh on top, and your salad world will be changed
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time:15 minutes mins
Cook Time:20 minutes mins
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cranberry, fennel, red onions, walnuts
Servings: 4 side servings, 2 meal servings

Equipment

  • 1 small blender
  • 1 chef's knife

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. pack of tempeh
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/3 cup walnut halves
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar plus more as needed
  • 3-4 sprigs fresh dill stems removed
  • 1 tbsp capers
  • 1 lemon for juicing
  • 1 medium fennel
  • 1 small red onion
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • Kosher salt & fresh cracked black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup torn basil and mint optional, but really delicious
  • 2-4 slices thick sourdough bread for serving

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • Roughly crumble or chop up the tempeh, until no piece is bigger than the size of a pea. Scatter on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Bake at 400°F for 15-18 minutes or until the tempeh is golden brown and has some bite to it.
  • While the tempeh is baking, prepare the rest of the recipe.
  • In a measuring cup, pour boiling water over the walnuts. Let the hot water help them soften for 1-2 minutes.
  • In a separate cup, pour the red wine vinegar over the cranberries to help soften them as well. Set aside.
  • Drain the walnuts and add them to a small blender with the dill, capers, and juice from one whole lemon. Add 1/3 cup of water and blend until smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
  • Next, remove the fennel stalks from the bulb. Reserve 2 cups of fronds for the salad, and store away the rest of the stalks for later use. Then thinly slice the fennel bulb and thinly slice the red onion.
  • In a large bowl, add the mustard, honey, cranberries and vinegar and about 1/4 cup of the walnut cream. Mix together to form a dressing.
  • Add the fennel, fronds and red onion to the bowl and toss to coat in the dressing. Season with salt and pepper as needed. If using, add the torn basil and mint.
  • When the tempeh is out of the oven, toss half in with the salad and use the other half for topping.
  • Spread each slice of bread with a small amount of walnut cream and pile high with the salad. Sprinkle with the remaining tempeh and serve!

Posted In: Dairy Free, Recipes, Salads + Soups, Special Diets, Toasts, Vegan, Vegetarian

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Annie says

    January 6, 2023 at 6:39 pm

    I wasn’t sure if you were supposed to drain the cranberries before adding them in?

    • Justine says

      January 7, 2023 at 6:32 pm

      I don’t drain them, but if you find your vinegar ratio to be excessive, feel free to drain about half of the amount!

  2. Charlotte says

    January 8, 2023 at 1:06 pm

    So delicious and quick to make! Will be making again asap!

  3. Elizabeth says

    January 14, 2023 at 8:01 am

    5 stars
    Such a good winter salad! The crispy tempeh was lovely, and the salad was awesome and came together super fast. Please write a cookbook!!

  4. Madison Henault says

    January 17, 2023 at 1:14 am

    So crunchy and balanced!! Delicious and felt so refreshed after— Justine u never miss

  5. Nicole says

    January 17, 2023 at 1:18 am

    5 stars
    Loved this recipe! I’m not sure if my lemon was just super juicy, but I found I needed to use a full cup of walnuts to get the walnut cream to the right consistency. Otherwise it was quite watery.

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Hey! I'm Justine. A recipe developer, highly dedicated eater, and bread enthusiast with an archive of both savory and sweet. This is where I store all my recipes, feel free to take a look around!
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