Gut Friendly Ginger-Lime Fennel & Apple Slaw
Crisp, bright, and loaded with ingredients that genuinely love your digestive system, this slaw is the kind of side dish that earns a permanent spot in your rotation. Shaved fennel is the real star here — its gentle anise flavor and natural compounds have long been associated with soothing the gut, and slicing it paper-thin makes it surprisingly delicate rather than overpowering. Tart Granny Smith apple and shredded cabbage add crunch and fiber, while the scallion greens keep things light and easy to digest compared to raw onion. The dressing is where everything gets interesting: fresh ginger and turmeric bring serious anti-inflammatory credentials, and the lime juice does double duty as both a bright flavor punch and a natural aid for digestion. A short 10-minute rest lets the vegetables soften just enough to meld with the dressing without losing their satisfying texture. Everything here is whole, clean, and recognizable — no processed ingredients, no hidden additives, just real food working together beautifully. It pairs effortlessly with grilled fish, roasted chicken, or honestly just a fork straight from the bowl.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the slaw
- 1 small fennel bulb (about 12 oz), fronds reserved
- 1 medium granny smith apple, cored and julienned or thinly sliced
- 2 cups green cabbage, very thinly shredded
- 3 scallions, green tops only, thinly sliced
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp raw honey
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh fennel fronds, roughly chopped (optional)
- lime wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Halve the fennel bulb lengthwise, remove the tough outer layer and core, then use a mandoline or sharp knife to slice it paper-thin crosswise. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- 2
Add the julienned apple, shredded cabbage, and scallion greens to the bowl with the fennel and toss to combine.
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