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

What do you do with fennel bulbs? ›

The fennel bulb can be eaten raw, sliced wafer-thin and added to salads; or it can be steamed, baked, braised or roasted and is commonly used in Italian and French cuisine. Just make sure to cut out the tough inner stalk before slicing or cutting into wedges.

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. The base (or bulb) is delicious raw or cooked.

What pairs well with fennel? ›

Citrus: Fennel pairs well with citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and limes. Herbs: Fennel pairs well with fresh herbs such as dill, parsley, and thyme. Cheese: Fennel pairs well with cheeses such as parmesan, feta, and goat cheese. Nuts: Fennel pairs well with nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, and pine nuts.

How many fennel bulbs for 1 cup chopped? ›

We decided to use 1 medium fennel bulb for our calculations. We then started preparing and slicing our sample and found it took about 2/3 of the fennel bulb to reach the 1 cup mark. The 1 cup of sliced fennel bulb weighed about 3 ounces (90 grams).

What does fennel taste good on? ›

Serve it alongside chicken, lamb or fish for an easy and delicious weeknight side dish! Roasted fennel is one of my favorite side dishes for fall and winter; it goes well with just about any roast—especially chicken and lamb, or with a simple soup like Stracciatella.

Can you eat too much fennel bulbs? ›

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.

Why are fennel bulbs so expensive? ›

"Contrary to what one might think, there are high production costs associated with the cultivation of fennel. And these are now rising with the price increases of many raw materials and materials.

Can you eat raw fennel bulb? ›

Every part of it is edible, from the bulb to the flowers, and it can be eaten raw or cooked. Though the stalks and leaves are edible, fennel recipes most often call for the bulb. When raw, it has a crisp texture similar to celery and a fresh licorice flavor.

Who should not use fennel? ›

Since fennel is in the carrot family, avoid drinking fennel if you're allergic to carrots or other plants in that family — including celery or mugwort. If you take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder, you should also use caution when drinking fennel tea.

Is fennel good for your bowels? ›

Fennel seeds are unlikely to cause constipation. In fact, they are often used to relieve digestive issues, including constipation, as they can help promote bowel movement and ease digestion.

What seasonings go with fennel? ›

Spices that pair with fennel

Anise, star anise, dill seed, nutmeg, cardamom, black pepper, cumin, coriander seeds cassia, cinnamon, turmeric, cloves and fenugreek.

Can you freeze fennel? ›

Fennel stalks and fronds freeze well. Simply rinse them in a cool stream of water, and then place them in freezer-safe bag or container. Due to its high water content, freezing the bulb will change its texture.

How to use fennel bulbs? ›

The Best Ways to Cook Fennel
  1. Braise it with shallots.
  2. Roast it with chicken thighs.
  3. Shave it into a salad.
  4. Caramelize it and serve with spicy sausage and pasta.
Sep 21, 2023

Can dogs eat fennel? ›

Yes! Fennel is safe for your dog to eat and contains vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, iron, and potassium. These vitamins and minerals support the health of your dog's immune system, vision, bones, and more. Fennel also helps with bad breath, indigestion, and pups that are gassy.

What do you do with the tops of fennel bulbs? ›

Recipes most often call for the bulb, but don't toss those tops! Finely mince the fronds to use as an aromatic garnish for salads, soups, pasta, and more, or save the fennel stalks and leaves to use in homemade vegetable broth.

What are the benefits of eating fennel bulb? ›

The bottom line

Adding them to your diet may improve heart health, reduce inflammation, suppress appetite, and even provide anticancer effects. To reap the benefits of fennel and its seeds, try incorporating raw fennel bulb into your salads or using the seeds to flavor soups, broths, baked goods, and fish dishes.

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