Grapefruit Goat Cheese Fennel (Print)

Vibrant citrus salad with creamy goat cheese and crisp fennel, perfect for light lunch or elegant starter.

# What You Need:

→ Produce

01 - 2 large pink grapefruits, peeled and segmented
02 - 1 large fennel bulb, trimmed and thinly sliced, fronds reserved
03 - 1 small shallot, thinly sliced
04 - 2 cups arugula or baby greens

→ Dairy

05 - 3.5 oz soft goat cheese, crumbled

→ Nuts & Seeds

06 - 1/4 cup toasted pistachios or walnuts, roughly chopped (optional)

→ Dressing

07 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
09 - 1 tsp honey
10 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How to Make:

01 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until fully emulsified. Set aside at room temperature.
02 - Spread arugula or baby greens evenly across a large serving platter or shallow salad bowl to create a bed for remaining ingredients.
03 - Distribute thinly sliced fennel and shallot over the greens, ensuring even coverage for balanced flavor in each bite.
04 - Place grapefruit segments strategically across the salad, spacing them evenly for visual appeal and consistent citrus distribution.
05 - Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese over the entire salad, followed by toasted nuts if using, creating varied texture throughout.
06 - Drizzle the prepared dressing evenly over the salad immediately before serving. Finish with reserved fennel fronds and additional freshly cracked black pepper.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The way the grapefruits burst against the creamy goat cheese feels like discovering sunshine in the dead of winter
  • It comes together in fifteen minutes but looks like something from a restaurant that takes reservations three weeks out
02 -
  • Supremely thin fennel slices are the difference between this salad being exceptional and just okay, so take your time or break out the mandoline
  • The dressing should go on last and the salad should hit the table within five minutes, otherwise those gorgeous greens start looking tired
03 -
  • Room temperature grapefruit segments release more juice and flavor than cold ones straight from the fridge
  • Let the goat cheese sit out for ten minutes before crumbling, it breaks apart more beautifully and tastes creamier

Go Back