10+ Fennel Recipes to Energize Your Menu

Fennel is a flavorful vegetable that adds a unique touch to many dishes. It has a mild anise flavor and works well raw in salads or cooked in various ways.

This versatile ingredient tastes delicious and offers health benefits. Adding fennel to your meals brings depth and a refreshing twist.

Whether you have kitchen experience or are just starting out, you can easily enjoy fennel in simple, tasty recipes.

1) Roasted fennel with lemon and Parmesan

Roasted fennel is a tasty side dish that’s easy to make. Roasting makes fennel sweet and tender.

Lemon juice and Parmesan cheese enhance its flavor. Choose fresh fennel bulbs and cut them into wedges.

Toss the wedges with olive oil, salt, and pepper. The olive oil helps the fennel caramelize in the oven.

Roast the fennel at 425°F (220°C) for about 25 to 30 minutes. Stir occasionally for even cooking.

Just before serving, sprinkle fresh lemon juice and grated Parmesan on top.

Ingredients

• 2 large fennel bulbs, cut into wedges
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Cut fennel bulbs into wedges.
3. Toss fennel with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
4. Arrange fennel on a baking sheet.
5. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Drizzle lemon juice and top with Parmesan before serving.

2) Shaved fennel salad with orange slices

This salad combines fresh, crunchy fennel with sweet orange slices. It’s a refreshing dish, perfect for any meal.

Thinly shave the fennel using a mandoline or sharp knife. Add juicy orange segments for extra flavor.

For the dressing, mix olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together and serve as a side or light main dish.

Ingredients

• 1 large fennel bulb
• 2 oranges
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Thinly shave the fennel bulb.
2. Peel and segment the oranges.
3. In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
4. Toss the fennel and orange segments with the dressing.
5. Serve immediately.

3) Sautéed fennel with shallots and cream

Sautéed fennel with shallots and cream makes a delicious side dish. The sweet flavor of fennel blends well with rich cream and savory shallots.

Slice your fennel and shallots. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

Add the shallots and cook until soft and translucent. Add the fennel and sprinkle with salt.

Sauté until the fennel becomes tender. Pour in heavy cream and simmer for a few minutes until well combined.

Serve warm as a side dish.

Ingredients

• 2 large fennel bulbs
• 3/4 pound shallots
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice fennel and shallots.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add shallots and cook until soft.
4. Add fennel and salt, then sauté until tender.
5. Pour in heavy cream and simmer for a few minutes.

4) Fennel-spiced roasted chicken

Fennel-spiced roasted chicken combines tender chicken with the unique flavor of fennel. The anise-like taste adds a special touch.

Rub your chicken with olive oil, salt, and crushed fennel seeds. This enhances the flavor as it cooks.

Roast the chicken in an oven preheated to 400°F (200°C) until golden brown. Cooking time depends on the chicken’s size.

Pair the juicy chicken with roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (about 3.5 lbs or 1.6 kg)
• ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 bulbs fennel, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Rub the chicken with olive oil, salt, and fennel seeds.
3. Place sliced fennel around the chicken in the roasting pan.
4. Roast for about 1 hour, or until the chicken is fully cooked.
5. Let it rest before serving.

5) Braised Fennel with White Wine

Braised fennel with white wine is a delicious way to enjoy this vegetable. Slow cooking softens the fennel and brings out its sweetness.

White wine adds depth of flavor. Use fennel bulbs, white wine, and herbs for this dish.

Cook it slowly to blend the flavors. This recipe works well as a side dish for meats or seafood.

Ingredients

• 3 to 4 fennel bulbs
• 125 ml (4.4 fl oz) white wine
• 50 ml (1.75 fl oz) water
• 1 bay leaf
• A few small twigs of thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Trim the fennel, removing the stalks and cutting bulbs into wedges.
3. In a large pan, combine fennel, white wine, and water.
4. Add bay leaf and thyme.
5. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 30 minutes.
6. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

6) Pan-fried fennel with olive oil and lemon pepper

Pan-fried fennel is a tasty and easy dish to prepare. Olive oil and lemon pepper give it a fresh flavor.

Slice the fennel bulbs into wedges. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.

Add the fennel and cook until it begins to soften, about 5-7 minutes. Sprinkle lemon pepper on top and cook for another minute.

Serve as a side dish.

Ingredients

• 1 large fennel bulb
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice the fennel bulb into wedges.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat (375°F/190°C).
3. Add fennel to the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes.
4. Sprinkle lemon pepper on top.
5. Cook for an additional minute and serve.

7) Fennel and Tomato Pasta

Fennel and tomato pasta is a delightful dish that’s quick to make. The sweet flavor of fennel pairs perfectly with juicy tomatoes.

You can create this meal in about 30 minutes. Fresh herbs and garlic enhance the flavors.

Ingredients

• 200g pasta of your choice
• 1 bulb of fennel, sliced
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
2. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add sliced fennel and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
4. Stir in garlic and cherry tomatoes, then cook for 3-5 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Toss the pasta with the fennel and tomato mixture.
7. Garnish with fresh basil and serve hot.

8) Caramelized fennel side dish

Caramelized fennel is a delicious and unique side dish. The sweet, soft texture pairs well with many main courses.

Slice the fennel bulb. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

Add the sliced fennel and a pinch of salt. Cook slowly until the fennel is soft and golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Add a squeeze of lemon or a drizzle of balsamic vinegar for extra flavor if you like.

Ingredients

• 1 fennel bulb
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 lemon (optional for flavor)

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice the fennel bulb.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
3. Add the fennel and salt.
4. Cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown.
5. Add lemon juice if desired before serving.

9) Fennel and Citrus Slaw

Fennel and citrus slaw is a refreshing salad with a bright twist. Thinly slice a fennel bulb and combine it with citrus fruits like oranges or lemons.

Add chopped parsley or mint for extra flavor. Toss everything in a simple dressing of olive oil and vinegar.

This slaw pairs nicely with grilled meats and seafood.

Ingredients

• 1 fennel bulb
• 1 orange or lemon
• Olive oil
• Vinegar (white wine or apple cider)
• Fresh herbs (parsley or mint)
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Thinly slice the fennel bulb.
2. Segment the orange or lemon and add it to the bowl.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
4. Pour the dressing over the fennel and citrus.
5. Toss in fresh herbs and mix well.

10) Fennel bulb and fennel frond pesto

Fennel bulb and fennel frond pesto offers a fresh twist on traditional pesto. You can use both parts of the fennel plant, which helps reduce waste and adds flavor.

Gather fresh fennel fronds and the white bulb. Mix them with garlic and nuts for a flavorful sauce.

Olive oil and lemon juice add brightness and bring the pesto together. Use this pesto on pasta, as a spread, or drizzle it over vegetables.

You can adjust the ingredients to suit your taste.

Ingredients

• 1 cup fennel fronds, roughly chopped
• 1 fennel bulb, chopped
• 2-4 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1/2 cup walnuts or pine nuts
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Put fennel fronds, fennel bulb, garlic, and nuts in a blender.

2. Blend the mixture until it becomes smooth.

3. Slowly pour in olive oil and lemon juice as you continue blending.

4. Add salt and pepper to taste.