30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (2024)

by Erin

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Fennel, with its distinctive anise-like flavor and crisp texture, is a versatile vegetable that adds a unique twist to any dish. From salads to soups, to main dishes, the possibilities are endless when it comes to incorporating fennel into your culinary repertoire.

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (1)

In this post, we’ll explore 30+ fantastic fennel recipes that showcase the incredible flavors and textures this vegetable has to offer.

Prepare to be inspired by these delightful dishes and get ready to embark on a flavorful fennel adventure!

The BEST Recipes Using Fennel

This Fennel Pasta recipe features fresh linguini tossed in a light lemon sauce with roasted fennel. It’s topped with dollop of ricotta cheese for extra richness.

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This Fennel Celery Salad comes together quickly and has such a delicious light lemon-parmesan vinaigrette and wonderful crunch. It's the perfect side salad for rich and hearty dishes like pasta or braised short ribs.

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This Fennel and Chickpea Salad is tossed in a light citrus vinaigrette & topped with parmesan. It’s the perfect make-ahead salad for potlucks or lunches.

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30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (5)

Adored for its melt-in-your-mouth flavor and texture, roasted fennel is delicious and impressive yet crazy simple.

Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper

This Sausage & Fennel Ragout is one of my favorite dishes. It’s got tons of flavor and is the perfect comfort food. Served over a bowl of hearty grains and topped with parmesan cheese.

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30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (7)

Slow Roasted Citrus Salmon with Fennel and Parmesan is the perfect winter dish! It's healthy, cozy, pretty, simple & most importantly – SO good!

Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (8)

This speedy, easy gnocchi sauce recipe gets its magic from a few simple, powerful ingredients and is sure to please! Fennel bulbs sit right at the center of this recipe. They taste bright, herbaceous and springy and, best of all, are in season in the winter.

Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (9)

This pasta with roasted fennel bulb combines that irresistible sweetness with white wine, heavy cream, lemon, and a little chili flake to make a simple pasta dish that feels very luxurious, with a very approachable cook time.

Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (10)

This simple arugula salad with fennel and cheese is a creative salad recipe with just a few ingredients! It pairs with so many meals and is quick to make.

Get the RECIPE from Salt and Lavender

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (11)

This Thanksgiving stuffing recipe is made with sautéed sausage, fennel, onion, garlic, apples and kale for a twist on the traditional dish.

Get the RECIPE from Cooking with co*cktail Rings

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (12)

This easy rustic roasted beet and goat cheese tart relies on store-bought puff pastry for an easy shortcut. The rolled out dough is topped off with crumbled goat cheese, slices of roasted beets, shaved fennel and walnuts for a creamy and earthy tart.

Get the RECIPE from Cooking With co*cktail Rings

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (13)

This savory side dish of braised fennel goes well with any dish. Cooking the fennel gives it a mild flavor and makes it soft and tender.

Get the RECIPE from Savor The Best

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (14)

Creamy No Mayo Coleslaw with Apples and Fennel is a crunchy and addictive cabbage slaw with apples and fennel, tossed in a creamy no mayo coleslaw dressing!

Get the RECIPE from Flavor The Moments

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (15)

Fennel Juice is a mild green vegetable juice that you can make using a blender or a juicer. It has a mild licorice or anise flavor. Try this delicious green juice today!

Get the RECIPE form Cleaning Eating Kitchen

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (16)

Mussels in Creamy Fennel Tomato Broth sounds complicated, but is ready in minutes and makes a perfect dish to impress dinner guests. Serve with spaghetti or crusty bread!

Get the RECIPE from Fannetastic Food

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (17)

This Roasted Fennel and White Bean Tomato Soup recipe makes for an easy pantry meal. Pair it with salad, sandwiches, or enjoy on its own!

Get the RECIPE from Salted Plains

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (18)

A gorgeous and flavorful dinner, this one pot olive oil braised chicken is packed with bright citrus flavor, fennel and eye-catching turmeric.

Get the RECIPE from Little Ferraro Kitchen

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (19)

Grilled shrimp salad is fresh and hearty and full of spicy arugula, creamy avocado, thinly sliced fennel all dressed in a citrus vinaigrette.

Get the RECIPE from Little Ferraro Kitchen

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (20)

Roasted Fennel & Potato Soup features wonderful roasted fennel and potatoes pureed into a delicious creamy soup! With just 7 simple ingredients!

Get the RECIPE from Simple Veganista

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (21)

This Potato Leek and Fennel Gratin is loaded with fontina and parmesan cheese, tender creamy potatoes and golden crispy edges.

Get the RECIPE from Give It Some Thyme

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (22)

A beautiful and fresh salad of roast cauliflower, fennel and white beans with a roast tomato salsa. Perfect for lunches, picnics or eating alfresco.

Get the RECIPE from Rebel Recipes

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (23)

Quick Pickled Fennel is easy and perfect for a tangy side to many dishes like salads, sandwiches, fish and just straight out of the jar.

Get the RECIPE from Noshing With The Nolands

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (24)

Warm Caramelized Fennel and Leek Cheese Dip is a perfect mix of creamy and sweet and very savory. I like to eat it with bread but crackers will do the trick too.

Get the RECIPE from A Cozy Kitchen

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (25)

Fennel sausage pizza starts with a crispy artisan pizza dough and it’s layered with garlic oil, caramelized fennel and spicy sausage.

Get the RECIPE from With Spice

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (26)

Fresh and light, this fennel cucumber salad with dill is perfect with summer BBQ food or picnic food and takes just 10 minutes to make!

Get the RECIPE from Through The Fibro Fog

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (27)

Harissa-Stewed Lentils with Pickled Fennel Salad is brimming with nutritious ingredients and will satisfy vegetarians and omnivores alike.

Get the RECIPE from Dishing Out Health

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (28)

Oven Roasted Potatoes and Fennel, a simple, delicious vegetarian dish combining two favorite vegetables and makes an excellent side dish to any main meal.

Get the RECIPE from Marisa’s Italian Kitchen

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (29)

Slow cooker cranberry pulled pork sliders are topped with a tasty apple fennel slaw for a delicious fall sandwich!

Get the RECIPE from The Kitchen Paper

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (30)

This fresh limeade recipe is made naturally sweet and anise-y thanks to apple and fennel. It’s an inspired combination and can be made in a blender!

Get the RECIPE from Feed Me Phoebe

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (31)

This chicken with creamy fennel broth is so delicious, spicy, and rich. We topped it with a fennel gremolata so no part of the fennel goes to waste!

Get the RECIPE from Tried and True Recipes

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (32)

This warm roasted fennel salad combines soft, caramelized fennel slices with sweet + crunchy apples, hearty farro, baby arugula, freshly-shaved parmesan, and a bright + simple lemon-garlic dressing.

Get the RECIPE from Walder Wellness

How to Make Ahead and Store

Many of these recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.

More Vegetable Recipes

  • Arugula Recipes
  • Brussel Sprout Recipes
  • Broccoli Recipes
  • Carrot Recipes
  • Celery Recipes
  • Daikon Radish Recipes
  • Kale Recipes
  • Potato Recipes
  • Red Cabbage Recipes
  • Zucchini Recipes

Did you Make Any of These Fennel Bulb Recipes?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of recipes using fennel.Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me onInstagramusing the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me onInstagram,TikTok,PinterestandFacebook.

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (33)

30+ Tasty Fresh Fennel Recipes

Fennel, with its distinctive anise-like flavor and crisp texture, is a versatile vegetable that adds a unique twist to any dish. Try his Fennel Pasta recipe. It features fresh linguini tossed in a light lemon sauce with roasted fennel. It's topped with dollop of ricotta cheese for extra richness.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 servings

Created by Platings and Pairings

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 450°F.

  • Heat a medium pot of salted water to boiling on high.

  • Pick off and mince a few of the fennel fronds. Cut off and discard the fennel stems. Halve and core the fennel bulb; slice into ½-inch-thick strips. Place the sliced fennel on a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper; toss thoroughly to coat. Arrange in a single layer and roast, 18-20 minutes, tossing halfway through, until tender and golden.

  • While the fennel roasts, combine the ricotta cheese and the juice of one of the lemon halves; season with salt and pepper to taste.

  • In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic, shallot and half the parsley. Cook until fragrant and softened. Add the breadcrumbs and toast over medium heat, until browned. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and transfer to a small bowl. Wipe out the pan.

  • In the now clean skillet, combine lemon zest, juice of the remaining lemon half, ½ cup water, and 2 tablespoons olive oil; heat to boiling on high heat and stir to combine. Remove from heat.

  • Boil the pasta until just short of al dente. Reserving ¼ cup of the pasta cooking water, drain the pasta and add it to the skillet of sauce. Add the roasted fennel, minced fennel fronds and reserved cooking water. Cook on medium-high, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is well coated in the sauce.

  • Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper, to taste, top with breadcrumb mixture, a dollop of the ricotta mixture, and remaining chopped parsley.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Nutrition

Calories: 865kcal | Carbohydrates: 134g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 322mg | Potassium: 1012mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 665IU | Vitamin C: 45mg | Calcium: 246mg | Iron: 4mg

30+ Fennel Bulb Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Why do chefs use fennel so much? ›

Though often overlooked by home cooks, this versatile ingredient is beloved by chefs for its pleasantly sweet, fresh flavor and mild aromatic character.

What pairs well with fennel bulbs? ›

Apples, beetroot, Brussels sprouts, celeriac, corn, cucumber, garlic, grape, grapefruit, green bean, guava, kohlrabi, lemon, mushroom, olive, orange, peach, pear, pomegranate, potatoes, tomatoes, watercress, watermelon.

How much of the fennel bulb is edible? ›

Technically speaking, all parts of the plant are edible, but most people will find the stalks too tough and fibrous to eat. The leaves can be chopped and used to flavor salads, dressings, marinades and sauces. They tend to have a slightly more citrusy flavor than the base.

Why are fennel bulbs so expensive? ›

Its high price point is due to the complexity of harvesting the spice. Fennel pollen comes from the fennel bulb, specifically its flower blossoms. Fennel, however, isn't the easiest crop to farm, with experts facing difficulties in cultivating the plant.

What are the disadvantages of eating too much fennel? ›

What Are The Disadvantages Of Eating Fennel Seeds? Excess consumption of fennel may worsen kidney disorders, slow down the clotting process, disrupt hormone-sensitive conditions, and can cause chronic skin allergies.

Can too much fennel be harmful? ›

When taken by mouth: Fennel is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used as medicine at appropriate doses for a short period of time. There isn't enough reliable information to know whether fennel is safe when used long-term. Although rare, side effects might include stomach upset and seizures.

What Cannot be planted with fennel? ›

Examples of Plants That Should Not Be Grown Together
AsparagusFennel, Garlic, Onions, Potatoes
DillCarrots, Tomatoes, Onions, Lettuce, Cabbage
FennelAsparagus, Beans, Cilantro, Corn, Cucumber, Peppers
GarlicAsparagus, Beans, Peas, Sage, Strawberries
HyssopRadishes
21 more rows

What insects does fennel attract? ›

Besides social wasps and hoverflies fennel attracted honey bees, wild bees and bumble bees, beetles, various groups of wasps and flies. Most of those are beneficial pollinators (Rader et al. 2016) and some are important agents for biological control being predators and parasitoids (Lopez et al.

Is fennel good for the liver? ›

Potential Uses of fennel seeds for liver

Fennel seed oil could avoid liver damage and act as a hepatoprotective (liver protective) in an animal study. Oral intake of fennel seed oil could also decrease the levels of enzymes associated with liver damage. Thus, saunf is indeed good for the liver.

Can you eat too much fennel bulbs? ›

Eating fennel in moderation is part of a healthy diet and generally considered safe for most people. But eating large amounts every day could have some negative effects for certain people. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about how much fennel you should be eating.

Is there any part of fennel you can't eat? ›

Once you learn how versatile fennel is, you'll be able to incorporate it into your weekly meals and consider the vegetable an ally that you're excited about instead of a bulb that you dread. All parts of the fennel plant, root to stem to flower, are edible.

What are the most common uses for fennel? ›

The entire plant is edible, and you can think of it as a multitasker: the bulb can be sliced and used as a main ingredient in dishes like salads, while the fronds (the tiny, frilly leaves) can be finely chopped and treated as an herb (some cooks like to swap it in for dill).

Why do Italians love fennel? ›

For example, Italians often eat fennel raw at the end of a meal, saying it helps with digestion and cleansing. If you do a quick search, you'll find that Fennel Bulbs are an impressive source of dietary fiber, which we all know is amazing for digestion and gut health!

Does fennel grow back every year? ›

Fennel is easy to grow, hardy and drought tolerant, and needs virtually no maintenance once established. It likes free-draining soil and full sun. Fennel dies down in autumn and re-sprouts from the base in spring. If you allow it to self-seed, new fennel plants will pop up around the garden.

Do most grocery stores carry fennel? ›

It's available year-round in grocery stores, but for the freshest and best tasting, your local farmers market is the best place to buy fennel. Sometimes you can even find local wild fennel pollen at a farmers market.

Why is fennel so popular? ›

Fennel has a long history in the Mediterranean region, where it has been used in cooking and medicines. It's common in Italian and Greek cuisines. You can also find it often in Indian, Middle Eastern, and other cuisines around the world. Fennel has a sweet, earthy flavor, which is similar to licorice but much milder.

Is it OK to eat fennel everyday? ›

Potential Side Effects. There are a few minor fennel seeds side effects to keep in minds, especially if you are taking a supplement or an extract-form of this seed. In most cases, a teaspoon of fennel seed a day will not result in any serious complications or reactions.

What culture uses fennel the most? ›

Many cultures in India, Afghanistan, Iran, and the Middle East use fennel fruits in cooking. In Iraq, fennel seeds are used as an ingredient in nigella-flavored breads. It is one of the most important spices in Kashmiri cuisine and Gujarati cooking.

Why is fennel so important? ›

Fennel contains beta-carotene (which is converted to vitamin A in the body) and vitamin C, a nutrient important for collagen production and tissue repair. Both these nutrients play an important role in maintaining the health of the skin, as well as the mucous membranes that protect organs like the respiratory tract.

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