Bok Choy Fennel Salad

This Bok Choy Fennel Salad with sesame soy dressing is the perfect way to show the versatility of bok choy (pak choi). With a salad dressing to match, it's a mouth-watering, refreshing taste!

An Asian green meets its match with the refreshing crunch of fennel, which is a Mediterranean vegetable often associated with Italian cuisine.

The combination creates loads of textures and tastes, perfect for the whole family. Toasted sesame seeds add a nutty touch, while the homemade sesame soy dressing ties everything together beautifully.

What is Bok Choy? 

Bok choy, also known as pak choi or pok choi, is a leafy green vegetable with a surprising amount of character. It's a member of the cruciferous family, which includes kale, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.

Unlike its cabbage cousins that form round heads, bok choy boasts dark green, spoon-shaped leaves that crown a thick, white stalk. The entire plant is edible, offering a delightful contrast in texture: the stalks are crisp and slightly sweet, while the leaves have a milder flavor with a hint of bitterness.

This versatile veggie is a staple in Chinese cuisine, but its popularity has spread far and wide. It thrives in stir-fries, soups, and salads, adding a pop of color, essential nutrients, and a satisfying crunch.

Since bok choy cooks quickly, it's a perfect choice for busy weeknight meals. Plus, it's readily available in most grocery stores year-round, making it a convenient addition to your healthy repertoire.

What Is Fennel?

Fennel is a fascinating ingredient and my family loves it so much, they will fight for that fennel bulb, true story! In the way some families love spinach or kale, for us no other vegetable comes close to fennel. Maybe Baked Smashed Potatoes or Buttery Mashed Potatoes or even a good bowl of Mediterranean Salad but still, fennel remains the hero. Here are a few things you may not know about fennel.

• Fennel is a flowering plant in the carrot family, though it's not actually a root vegetable.
• It has feathery green leaves that resemble dill, but the star of the show is the bulb that forms at the base. This bulb is the part most commonly used in cooking.
• Fennel has a unique flavor profile. It has a crisp, slightly sweet base with a distinct licorice or anise-like taste.
• The origin of fennel is it's native to the Mediterranean, and has been enjoyed for centuries. The bulb, seeds, and even the feathery fronds are all edible and used in various cuisines.

In this Bok Choy Fennel Salad, the sliced fennel bulb adds a licorice-like crunch that complements the other ingredients beautifully.

Crunchy Bok Choy Salad Ingredients

This is an easy salad recipe that requires no level of cooking at all! Check the notes in the recipe card below for other ingredient options.

• Bok Choy: Regular bok choy (pak choi) - This leafy green is readily available at most grocery stores or Asian markets.
• Fennel: A flowering plant in the carrot family, fennel boasts a bulbous base (the part we use in this salad) with feathery green leaves. Look for firm, white bulbs with no blemishes.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Bite-sized and bursting with sweetness, cherry tomatoes are a perfect complement to the other ingredients.
• Shallots: Smaller and milder than onions, shallots add a subtle oniony flavor to the salad without overpowering the other tastes.
• Feta Cheese: A crumbly brined cheese from Greece, feta offers a salty and tangy counterpoint to the sweetness of the tomatoes and the licorice notes of the fennel.
• Toasted Sesame Seeds: These nutty and crunchy seeds add a delightful textural contrast and a subtle toasty flavor to the salad.

Ingredients For Salad Dressing: 

There are a number of salad dressings that you can use, but this one below is delicious! Please see the full recipe card below and check the notes for dressing alternatives.

Olive oil: Here are the oils that I alternate with in Asian cooking, this olive oil, toasted sesame or grapeseed oil. Unless it's a high heat quick stir-fry, in which case I use canola oil. If you do use sesame oil, use very little, (around ½ teaspooon) because toasted sesame oil has a very strong flavor.

Red wine vinegar: Sometimes I add a tiny bif of balsamic with the red wine vinegar, it's a different taste, and you hear "Mmm, the vinegar is good😊 Unseasoned rice vinegar and apple cider vinegar can also be used. 

Soy sauce: Use a good quality low sodium soy because it makes a difference in the overall taste. Tamari sauce is a good substitute for soy sauce, especially for those with a wheat allergy or gluten intolerance. While many soy sauce brands are now gluten-free, tamari is naturally wheat-free.

Brown Sugar: While honey or maple syrup can be used as a substitute, I find that brown sugar adds a unique depth of flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully. Feel free to experiment and see what works best for you.

Sesame seeds: Nutty, crunchy texture so I add just a pinch to the salad and then more to the salad dressing. Sesame seeds is something that I don't use every day, but when I need them, keeping a jar of toasted sesame is very convenient.

How To Make Bok Choy Fennel Salad

Easy step-by-step recipe method.

Step 1. Prep/Slice

Slice the bok choy, fennel, shallots and tomatoes. I like cutting the tomatoes and shallots lengthwise for this recipe or there's what I call my essential kitchen tool, the mandoline! Especially when I'm adding vegetables like carrots, red onion (instead of shallots) and cucumber, it slices everything the same size and quickly too! Worth the small investment.

Step 2. Whisk The Dressing Ingredients

In a small bowl (or jar) combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, and sesame seeds. Whisk (shake) until the sugar dissolves and the dressing emulsifies (becomes slightly creamy). Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.

Depending on my anosmic cravings I will sometimes add pine nuts to the dressing, this way they absorb the other dressing ingredients as opposed to rolling around dry in the salad.

Step 3. Assemble the salad

In a large bowl, combine the sliced bok choy, fennel, shallots, and cherry tomatoes, onion, carrots, and cucumber. And any other vegetables (in the notes section of the recipe card below).

Step 4. Dress The Salad

Pour the sesame soy dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to coat everything evenly.

Step 5. Serve

Plate the salad and crumbled feta or cubed feta cheese over the top. Garnish with an extra sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for added crunch and enjoy!

If you are anything like me and love a crunchy salad, add a mix of seeds instead of nuts over the salad. They are healthier than nuts and I have just the recipe for you below!

Air Fryer Roasted Pumpkin Seeds. No cleaning, rinsing, buy them and air fry, that's it! My air fryer seeds recipe uses both pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.

Substitutions and Variations

Here are some substitutions and variations you can try for your Bok Choy Fennel Salad:

Vegetables

• Bok Choy: If you can't find bok choy, Napa cabbage or romaine lettuce are decent substitutes. Napa cabbage adds a similar texture but with a milder flavor. Romaine lettuce will result in a crispier salad with a more neutral taste.
• Fennel: Celery root (celeriac) is a good option for those who dislike the licorice-like flavor of fennel. It provides a similar crunch but with a more earthy taste. You can also try thinly sliced red or green bell pepper for a touch of sweetness and vibrant color.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Any small, bite-sized tomato variety will work here. Grape tomatoes, chopped cherry tomatoes, or even halved regular tomatoes would be delicious.

Cheese

• Feta Cheese: If you don't have feta, crumbled goat cheese or ricotta salata would be good alternatives. They offer a similar salty and tangy element but with slightly different textures. You can even omit the cheese entirely for a vegan option.

Dressing

• Flavors: For a sweeter dressing, add a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup. For a spicier kick, include a pinch of red pepper flakes or Sriracha sauce. If you prefer a citrusy note, substitute the red wine vinegar with fresh lime juice.
• Dietary Needs: To make the dressing gluten-free, ensure your soy sauce is labeled gluten-free.

Additional Ideas

• Protein Boost: For a heartier salad, add cooked and shredded chicken breast, rotisserie, shrimp, or tofu.
• Toppings: Experiment with different toppings like sliced avocado, chopped fresh herbs (cilantro, mint, basil), or a drizzle of toasted sesame oil.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I can't find bok choy?

No worries! Here are some substitutes:

• Napa cabbage: Offers a similar texture with a milder flavor.expand_more
• Romaine lettuce: Results in a crispier salad with a more neutral taste.exclamation

I don't like licorice. Can I skip the fennel?

Absolutely! Here are some replacements:

• Celery root (celeriac): Provides similar crunch with an earthy taste.
• Red or green bell pepper: Adds sweetness and vibrant color.

What other cheeses can I use besides feta?

• Goat cheese: Offers a similar tang and saltiness with a creamier texture.
• Ricotta salata: Provides a crumbly texture with a slightly milder flavor.expand_more
• Vegan option: Simply omit the cheese for a delicious dairy-free salad.exclamation

How can I customize the dressing?

• Sweeter: Add a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup.
• Spicier: Include a pinch of red pepper flakes or Sriracha sauce.
• Citrusy: Substitute red wine vinegar with fresh lime juice.
• Gluten-free: Ensure your soy sauce is labelled gluten-free.

Can I add protein to this salad?

Absolutely! Cooked and shredded chicken breast, shrimp, or tofu are excellent options.

For The Love of Bok Choy & Fennel!

You can use these two vegetables interchangeably in a cold salad or warm side dish, they are both very versatile! Another way to enjoy a simple salad or a side salad idea is to add green onions, red onion and carrots to the bok choi. Season with kosher salt and black pepper and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Both these vegetables can also be sliced lengthways once, and roasted to perfection!

More Vegetable Side Dishes

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