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Fennel tends to divide people—you either love it or steer clear. It is one of the most underrated vegetables. But we are here to tell you that fennel deserves a spot on your table. And if you’re not already cooking with fennel, it’s time to try it.
Fennel, with its fresh, aromatic flavor, has a long season, stretching from October through April. Whether eaten raw, sautéed, or roasted, it brings a unique taste to the table.
For those who aren’t big fans of fennel, the good news is that its bold anise flavor mellows when paired with other ingredients. Although its unique appearance might seem intimidating at first, don’t be put off—once you get the hang of it, fennel is surprisingly easy to work with.
To help you get started, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite fennel recipes, showcasing this flavorful plant from its seeds to its bulb.
Radicchio Salad with Caramelized Pears
This pear and radicchio salad combines some of fall’s best flavors in a simple and delicious way. Sweet pears pair perfectly with the slight bitterness of radicchio, while toasted pecans and a quick vinaigrette bring everything together. The result is a salad that’s vibrant, colorful, and perfect as a side dish for meats or fish. It’s great for easy, healthy fall weeknight dinners and features the Chioggia variety of radicchio for a bright, eye-catching touch. Here’s how to make this flavorful salad!
Get the Recipe: Radicchio Salad with Caramelized Pears
Fennel Confit
This delicious fennel confit recipe brings out the sweet and savory flavors of this versatile vegetable. Flavored with
Get the Recipe: Fennel Confit
Pickled Fennel
You will find many ways to enjoy this crunchy and tangy pickled fennel, which is easily made and quick. It is a great addition to many dishes.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Fennel
Sorghum Salad with Kohlrabi, Apple, & Fennel
A warm sorghum salad with roasted kohlrabi, apple, & fennel. This gluten-free vegan recipe is sweet, comforting, and nourishing for the cold months ahead.
Get the Recipe: Sorghum Salad with Kohlrabi, Apple, & Fennel
Wild West Coast Prawns In Tomato Fennel Broth
How to cook Wild Spot Prawns and two delicious easy spot prawn recipes-Steamed in Tomato Orange Fennel Broth and Grilled With Herb Butter.
Get the Recipe: Wild West Coast Prawns In Tomato Fennel Broth
Mediterranean Braised Chicken With Fennel And Lemons
Braised Chicken with Lemon, Olives, and Fennel is a one-pot dinner featuring chicken thighs with succulent, tender flesh and crispy skin.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Braised Chicken With Fennel And Lemons
Simple Fennel Pasta With Lemon
This simple pasta recipe is so refreshing with the flavors of fennel and lemon. With only eight ingredients, it’s ready in just 15 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Simple Fennel Pasta With Lemon
Creamy Fennel and White Bean Soup
This dairy and potato-free creamy fennel and white bean soup are rich, satisfying, and full of flavor from fennel,
Get the Recipe: Creamy Fennel and White Bean Soup
Fennel and Orange Salad
This gorgeous fennel and orange salad feature crisp, sliced fennel, sweet oranges, and salty pistachios in a tangy orange vinaigrette.
Get the Recipe: Fennel and Orange Salad
Tomato And Fennel Soup
Tomato and fennel soup with courgette is fresh, wholesome and suitable for vegetarians and vegans. It’s easy to make and freezer friendly.
Get the Recipe: Tomato And Fennel Soup
Sourdough Stuffing with Fennel
Made with fennel and fresh herbs, this aromatic Sourdough Stuffing recipe is perfect for any Thanksgiving feast. It’s easy to make with crispy, buttery edges!
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Stuffing with Fennel
Raw Beetroot And Caper Salad
Crunchy, tangy, sublime, this raw Fennel, Beetroot, and Caper Salad is healthy, delicious, and easy to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Raw Beetroot And Caper Salad
Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken With Fennel
A 30-minute one-pot meal elevates any weeknight. Prosciutto-wrapped chicken nicely balances the fennel and pomegranate seeds. It’s gluten-free and diary-free.
Get the Recipe: Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken With Fennel
Mediterranean White Bean Fennel Salad Sandwich
This Mediterranean White Bean Fennel Salad Sandwich is the vegan sandwich of your dreams. It has capers, fennel and parsley.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean White Bean Fennel Salad Sandwich
Fennel Apple Slaw
Fennel and Apple Slaw is creamy, crunchy, and packed with sweet and savory flavor! It’s a healthy side dish that’s ready in 15 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Fennel Apple Slaw
Asian Pear And Fennel Salad
This Asian pear and fennel salad is packed full of fresh ingredients. It is topped with crushed pistachios and juicy pomegranates.
Get the Recipe: Asian Pear And Fennel Salad
Fennel & Apple Salad
This Fennel and apple Salad is a slaw with texture and aniseed, tart flavors.
Get the Recipe: Fennel & Apple Salad
Sheet Pan Chicken, Squash And Fennel
Enjoy this sheet-pan chicken and squash with fennel as a fun and flavorful dinner! It’s easy to prep, and then the oven does the work!
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken, Squash And Fennel
Fennel Sausage Pizza
Fennel sausage pizza starts with a crispy artisan pizza dough and it’s layered with
Get the Recipe: Fennel Sausage Pizza
Fennel Leek Pasta
This fennel leek pasta is the perfect way to welcome spring! It has roasted fennel and fresh leeks in a creamy sauce infused with wine,
Get the Recipe: Fennel Leek Pasta
Refreshing Pineapple Fennel Green Juice
This refreshing pineapple fennel green juice is the perfect flavorful summer juice. It’s a perfect balance between sweet and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Refreshing Pineapple Fennel Green Juice
Insalata Di Carciofi (Sardinian Artichoke Salad)
Insalata Di Carciofi is a traditional Sardinian lemony salad made with shaved artichokes and other Sardinian vegetables dressed in olive oil.
Get the Recipe: Insalata Di Carciofi (Sardinian Artichoke Salad)
Quick-Braised Fennel With Sweet Peaches And Almonds
Braised fennel cooked with sweet peaches, and flavored with sweet and hearty seasoning. A must-make healthy vegetable dish!
Get the Recipe: Quick-Braised Fennel With Sweet Peaches And Almonds
Fennel-Cucumber Bites With Creamy Tuna
Low carb snack/appetizer with creamy Brie, tuna, and parsley topped on crunchy veggies and garnished with salty sweet fruits—healthy tasty bites.
Get the Recipe: Fennel-Cucumber Bites With Creamy Tuna
Fennel + Onion Gratin
This crispy, cheesy fennel and onion gratin is perfect for the holidays and chilly winter months. The onions and fennel get cooked down in butter to become super sweet, tender and mellow. They get mixed with sharp Pecorino Romano cheese, fresh thyme and a splash of cream, then get baked with an ultra crispy breadcrumb topping. It’s an easy, make-ahead side that’s lovely with steak, chicken, turkey, pork or fish.
Get the Recipe: Fennel + Onion Gratin
Pear And Fennel Salad
This pear and fennel salad is fresh and light, with a flavourful mint dressing. Perfect as a spring salad or for summer BBQs and picnics.
Get the Recipe: Pear And Fennel Salad
Fennel Risotto
This fennel risotto is an Italian classic with a twist. Instead of onion, we use all the anise flavors of fennel. It’s a fragrant, creamy, cheesy delight!
Get the Recipe: Fennel Risotto
