21 Easy-to-Make Recipes Featuring Fennel, From Salads and Slaw to Soup

Felicia Lim
·5 min read

Are you familiar with fennel? You may have heard of it, but it's safe to say the average at-home cook might be at a loss for ways to use it in the kitchen. If you've never experimented with fennel, you're not alone. To be honest, I've probably passed it a million times in the produce aisle and walked right by—because I had no clue what to do with it. These 21 best fennel recipes are about to change all that, however.

Related: An Italian Staple: Pork & Fennel Sugo

What Is Fennel?

Part of the carrot family, the fennel plant is highly flavorful and aromatic. Along with the similar-tasting anise, fennel is one of the primary ingredients of absinthe.

What Does Fennel Taste Like?

Fennel smells and tastes very much like licorice, so if you're of fan of licorice, you'll want to try cooking with fennel. It also has a slight anise flavor to it, but a little less sweet.

Related: Sexy Scallop Salad With Apple and Fennel

How to Cook Fennel

In the kitchen, fennel adds a savory and aromatic tone to any variety of dishes, ranging from soups and salads to chicken. It can be pickled, sautéed, grilled, made into pestos and sauces ... really the options are endless. And when it comes to our favorite fennel recipes, you'll want to start with Grilled Fennel and Quinoa Salad, Fennel and Apple Slaw, Mediterranean Roast Chicken With Turmeric, Fennel and Citrus or Fennel and Chicken Bake. These easy fennel recipes are so flavorful, you'll see why veg lovers are obsessed.

21 Best Recipes With Fennel

<p>Parade</p><p>Simple ingredient swaps add up to a pie that’s loaded with flavor.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="/1067431/alison-ashton/chicken-chard-fennel-pizza-recipe/" data-ylk="slk:Creamy Chicken, Chard, and Fennel Pizza;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Creamy Chicken, Chard, and Fennel Pizza</a></strong></p>

Parade

Simple ingredient swaps add up to a pie that’s loaded with flavor.

Get the recipe: Creamy Chicken, Chard, and Fennel Pizza

<p>Every Last Bite</p><p>This roasted fennel is buttery, caramelized on the edges and deliciously sweet in flavor.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.everylastbite.com/2020/04/24/roasted-fennel/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Roasted Fennel With Garlic and Herbs;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Roasted Fennel With Garlic and Herbs</a></strong></p>
<p>Every Last Bite</p><p>This caramelized leek, onion and fennel gratin is an easy one-pan side dish that is creamy and so delicious.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.everylastbite.com/2018/11/17/leek-fennel-gratin/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Caramelized Leek, Fennel and Onion Gratin;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Caramelized Leek, Fennel and Onion Gratin</a></strong></p>
<p>The Mediterranean Dish</p><p>An easy one-pan roast chicken dinner with a delicious citrus marinade starring turmeric and other Mediterranean spices!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.themediterraneandish.com/mediterranean-roast-chicken-recipe-turmeric-fennel/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Mediterranean Roast Chicken With Turmeric and Fennel;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Mediterranean Roast Chicken With Turmeric and Fennel</a></strong></p>
<p>Food and Journeys</p><p>Comfort food is not always meat or pasta, and roasted fennel with Parmesan and cream ticks all the boxes.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://foodandjourneys.net/roasted-fennel-with-parmesan-cream/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Roasted Fennel With Parmesan Cream;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Roasted Fennel With Parmesan Cream</a></strong></p>
<p>The First Mess</p><p>Grilled fennel and quinoa salad has plenty of crunch and is a beautiful potluck or side dish option.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://thefirstmess.com/2011/07/18/grilled-fennel-and-quinoa-salad/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Grilled Fennel and Quinoa Salad;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Grilled Fennel and Quinoa Salad</a></strong></p>
<p>She Likes Food</p><p>Crisp and refreshing, this fennel and apple slaw is the perfect side dish!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.shelikesfood.com/fennel-apple-slaw/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Fennel and Apple Slaw;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Fennel and Apple Slaw</a></strong></p>
<p>Le Petit Eats</p><p>This hearty and flavorful grilled beet and fennel salad recipe with sprouted lentils is accented with orange and coconut yogurt.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://lepetiteats.com/grilled-beet-and-fennel-salad/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Grilled Beet and Fennel Salad;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Grilled Beet and Fennel Salad</a></strong></p>
<p>Vanilla and Bean</p><p>Creamy brown rice with Gruyere, mushrooms, onions and white beans are topped with roasted fennel and lemony dijon Parmesan breadcrumbs.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://vanillaandbean.com/roasted-fennel-mushroom-white-bean-brown-rice-gratin/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Roasted Fennel, Mushroom, and White Bean Brown Rice Gratin;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Roasted Fennel, Mushroom, and White Bean Brown Rice Gratin</a></strong></p>
<p>Foodie Crush</p><p>This is a Sicilian-inspired salad combining fennel’s sweet licorice flavor, juicy tart grapefruit and smooth avocado topped with salty Parmesan.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.foodiecrush.com/grapefruit-avocado-fennel-salad/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Grapefruit, Avocado and Fennel Salad;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Grapefruit, Avocado and Fennel Salad</a></strong></p>
<p>Platings and Pairings</p><p>This shaved fennel and celery salad comes together quickly and features a delicious light lemon vinaigrette and a wonderful crunch.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.platingsandpairings.com/fennel-celery-salad/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shaved Fennel and Celery Salad With Parmesan;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shaved Fennel and Celery Salad With Parmesan</a></strong></p>
<p>Wild Greens and Sardines</p><p>This delicious apple, fennel and kohlrabi salad is going to be a favorite. The maple-roasted pecans make it extra special.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://wildgreensandsardines.com/2013/11/apple-fennel-kohlrabi-salad-with-maple-roasted-pecans-2.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Apple, Fennel and Kohlrabi Salad With Maple-Roasted Pecans;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Apple, Fennel and Kohlrabi Salad With Maple-Roasted Pecans</a></strong></p>
<p>The Bojon Gourmet</p><p>This chicory salad gets color and flavor from salty-sweet cheese, crisp apples, mild fennel and radish, and toasty walnuts, all wrapped up in a shallot vinaigrette.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://bojongourmet.com/2018/01/apple-chicory-salad-fennel-walnuts-grana/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Apple Chicory Salad With Fennel, Walnuts and Grana;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Apple Chicory Salad With Fennel, Walnuts and Grana</a></strong></p>
<p>Tried and True</p><p>This chicken with creamy fennel broth is so delicious, spicy and rich.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.triedandtruerecipe.com/2020/05/30/chicken-with-creamy-fennel-brot/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Chicken With Creamy Fennel Broth;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Chicken With Creamy Fennel Broth</a></strong></p>
<p>Sprinkles and Sprouts</p><p>Sweet roasted fennel, paired with a subtle bite of lemon, salty pangrattato and rich creamy linguine.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.sprinklesandsprouts.com/pasta-roasted-fennel-lemon/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Pasta With Roasted Fennel and Lemon;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Pasta With Roasted Fennel and Lemon</a></strong></p>
<p>The Simple Veganista</p><p>Roasted fennel and potato soup features roasted fennel and potatoes pureed into a creamy soup!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://simple-veganista.com/roasted-fennel-potato-soup/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Roasted Fennel and Potato Soup;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Roasted Fennel and Potato Soup</a></strong></p>
<p>The View From Great Island</p><p>Quick pickled fennel is a zippy condiment that works with just about anything you’ll pull off your grill this season.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://theviewfromgreatisland.com/quick-pickled-fennel-recipe/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Quick Pickled Fennel;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Quick Pickled Fennel</a></strong></p>
<p>Yay for Food</p><p>This colorful apple fennel arugula salad recipe is easy to make and full of fresh, delicious ingredients.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.yayforfood.com/recipes/apple-fennel-arugula-salad/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Apple Fennel Arugula Salad With Honey Lemon Vinaigrette;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Apple Fennel Arugula Salad With Honey Lemon Vinaigrette</a></strong></p>
<p>Parade</p><p>A refreshing and tasty salad perfect for warmer days!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://parade.com/991681/parade/arugula-salad-with-grilled-shrimp-and-fennel/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Arugula Salad With Grilled Shrimp and Fennel;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Arugula Salad With Grilled Shrimp and Fennel</a></strong></p>
<p>Jon Ashton</p><p>This fennel and white bean dip is the perfect pairing for toasted slices of French bread or fresh vegetables.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://parade.com/672012/jonashton/fennel-and-white-bean-dip/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Fennel and White Bean Dip;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Fennel and White Bean Dip</a></strong></p>
<p>Prime-time seasonal ingredients combine with quick-cooking, 100% yellow pea pasta that's ready in under three minutes. Your entire stove-to-plate experience only takes 20 minutes. When's the last time paella was ever ready that fast?</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://parade.com/1382014/kelli-acciardo/fennel-artichoke-paella/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Vegan Fennel and Artichoke Agile Paella;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Vegan Fennel and Artichoke Agile Paella</a></strong></p>

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