Blackberry Apple Salad with Fennel & Avocado

a close up image of blackberry salad with fennel, avocado, apples

This salad is an instant hit with everyone! You’ll love this easy blackberry apple salad with fennel, avocado, pistachios, and a zesty poppy seed vinaigrette dressing. It’s a bright, crispy, and refreshing salad that’s perfect for spring and summer. Serve this blackberry salad with chicken, steak, or even lamb. It pairs well with grilled meats, too.

Watch My Blackberry Salad Reel!

Watch my blackberry apple salad reel on YouTube for step-by-step instructions. It’s a quick and easy salad to put together. Want to stay up to date on the latest recipes? Make sure to subscribe to my website email list and my YouTube channel and turn on notifications.

Ingredients for Blackberry Apple Salad

Here are the main ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious blackberry salad. Find the full list of ingredients with measurements in the printable recipe card below.

  • Spring Greens – use a combination of baby spring greens, or baby arugula, baby kale, or spinach.
  • Avocado, Shallots, Green Apple
  • Fennel – this bulbous, green vegetable is crispy and refreshing. You’ll want to use a mandoline slicer to slice it very thinly.
  • Blackberries – fresh berries will work best for this recipe. You can also use blueberries.
  • Lemons – for lemon zest and lemon juice.
  • Olive Oil – for making salad dressing.
  • Pistachios – I love salted pistachios for this salad, but you can also use sliced almonds.
  • Goat Cheese – this creamy cheese is perfect for this salad! You can also use shaved parmesan or a different soft cheese.
a close up image of blackberry apple salad with avocado

Supplies & Tools for the Recipe

Needs some tools or supplies to make this salad at home? Shop my Amazon Affiliate links for the items I use in my kitchen. Using these links won’t cost you extra and I’ll earn a small commission.

Easy Poppy Seed Vinaigrette Dressing

This blackberry apple salad comes together in no time! Plus, the ingredients are very easy to prepare. Here’s how I make it:

  1. Start by preparing the salad dressing. This can be done ahead of time, too. Zest the lemon first and add to a large measuring cup, then juice the lemon, too.
  2. Add in the olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, fresh thyme, and poppy seeds. Use a garlic press or microplane to grate the garlic and add to the dressing. Whisk everything together and set aside.
a jar of oil, sliced lemon and berries on a table

Preparing the Salad Ingredients

Fill a large salad bowl with the spring greens.

Cut the stems off the fennel bulb and trim off the bottom; keep the stems for later. Use a mandoline slicer to slice the fennel very thinly; I use the 1/18th inch setting. Very thin! Toss the sliced fennel with the spring greens.

Slice the apple next into thin matchsticks and sprinkle over the salad. Thinly slice the shallots and add them next. First quarter the avocado, then slice and add.

Putting Together the Salad

Sprinkle the goat cheese over the salad. Next, add your washed blackberries. Arrange the sliced avocado over the salad.

Garnish the salad with pistachios and fennel greens (these look like fresh dill). Just pick them right off the stems and arrange over the salad.

Keep the dressing and salad separate until ready to serve. Whisk the salad dressing together one last time and pour it over the salad. Use two large salad spoons for serving the salad.

a large oval bowl with blackberry salad on a table with small items

Pairing Suggestions for Blackberry Salad

We’ve been loving this incredible blackberry apple salad with a variety of main dishes. Steak, lamb, and chicken all pair beautifully with this salad.

potatoes, steak, and sauce on a wooden cutting board
Grilled Ribeye Steak with Pan-Fried Potatoes
a close up image of roasted French Garlic Chicken, with garlic and herbs
Oven-Roasted French Garlic Chicken

More Recipes!

Enjoyed this delicious salad recipe? Check out some of my other favorites you’re sure to enjoy!

  • Avocado Citrus Salad – a delicious and refreshing combination of citrus, cucumber, avocado and more!
  • Mixed Berry Salad – another delicious berry salad with cucumbers, mint, basil, and arugula.
  • Watermelon Feta Salad – perfect for summer, with cubed watermelon, feta cheese, nectarines (or peaches), mint, and cucumbers.

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a close up image of salad, with text overlay - 'Blackberry Apple Salad with Fennel & Avocado'

Blackberry Apple Salad with Fennel & Avocaod

20 minutes prep + 0 minutes cook
4 large servings
The most delicious blackberry apple salad recipe with fennel, avocado, cheese, pistachios, and a zesty poppy seed vinaigrette dressing!

Ingredients 

For Salad:

  • 5 oz spring greens, spinach, arugula, or baby kale; about 10 cups
  • 1 large fennel bulb, very thinly sliced
  • 1 large green apple
  • 1 large avocado
  • 3 small shallots, thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese
  • 1/4 cup pistachios
  • 3 cups blackberries

For Poppy Seed Vinaigrette:

  • zest from 1 lemon
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 3 garlic cloves, pressed or grated
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme
  • 1 tbsp poppy seeds

Instructions

Making the Salad Dressing:

  • Start by preparing the salad dressing. This can be done ahead of time, too. Zest the lemon first and add to a large measuring cup, then juice the lemon, too.
  • Add in the olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, fresh thyme, and poppy seeds. Use a garlic press or microplane to grate the garlic and add to the dressing. Whisk everything together and set aside.

Preparing the Ingredients:

  • Fill a large salad bowl with the spring greens.
  • Cut the stems off the fennel bulb and trim off the bottom; keep the stems for later. Use a mandoline slicer to slice the fennel very thinly; I use the 1/18thinch setting. Very thin! Toss the sliced fennel with the spring greens.
  • Slice the apple next into thin matchsticks and sprinkle over the salad. Thinly slice the shallots and add them next. First quarter the avocado, then slice and add.
  • Sprinkle the goat cheese over the salad. Next, add your washed blackberries. Arrange the sliced avocado over the salad.

Assembling the Salad:

  • Garnish the salad with pistachios and fennel greens (these look like fresh dill). Just pick them right off the stems and arrange over the salad.
  • Keep the dressing and salad separate until ready to serve. Whisk the salad dressing together one last time and pour it over the salad. Use two large salad spoons for serving the salad.
  • We’ve been loving this incredible blackberry apple salad with a variety of main dishes. Steak, lamb, and chicken all pair beautifully with this salad.

Nutrition

Calories: 496kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 451mg | Potassium: 1013mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 1131IU | Vitamin C: 59mg | Calcium: 174mg | Iron: 3mg