47 Fennel Recipes for Shaving, Roasting, and Then Some
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Most fennel recipes call for fennel bulbs, but you know what? Fennel fronds—that frilly green mohawk that looks like dill—are just as flavorful. Think of it as a two-for-one deal from nature. This funky-looking veg with a subtle licorice flavor originated on the shores of the Mediterranean. And if you’re wondering how to use it, we have answers. Lots of them.
When eaten raw, fresh fennel has a crunchy celery-like texture. We have shaved fennel salads for days, like this one with croutons and walnuts, and this one with ripe peaches and dried chiles (both stellar side dishes). When drizzled with olive oil and roasted or sautéed, cooked fennel gets sweet and caramelized like onions. Case in point: this anchovy-boosted fennel pasta or this vinaigrette-doused roasted vegetables. And using fennel fronds is a no-brainer: Add the fronds to pesto, sprinkle them over hot-smoked salmon, or use to garnish your favorite dessert (yep, you read that right).
The truth is there are countless ways to love fennel. Here are 47 of our favorites.
- Photography by Isa Zapata, food styling by Thu Buser, prop styling by Christina Allen1/47
Melted Fennel Pasta
Sautéed in lots of extra-virgin olive oil until jammy, fennel loses its sharp anise flavor and melts into a cozy sauce. Don’t skimp on the Parmesan.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Nicole Louie2/47
Hummus Bowls With Merguez-Spiced Tempeh
Tempeh gets spiced with cumin, paprika, and fennel seeds. Then a raw fennel salad brings some needed crunch to contrast the creamy hummus.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris3/47
Lemony Risotto With Fennel and Parmesan
Both lemon zest and lemon juice makes this risotto brighter than the sun. If you can’t find carnaroli, an Italian medium-grain rice, arborio works too.
- Photography by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Adriana Paschen, Prop Styling by Elizabeth Jamie4/47
Braised Beans and Sardines With Fennel
Tinned sardines add briney flavor (and protein!)—leave them whole or break them up and fold them into the soup.
- Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Micah Morton, prop styling by Stephanie Yeh5/47
Fennel Potlikker
By adding a splash of Pernod to her fennel-based potlikker, Carla Hall doubles down on licorice-y flavor, creating an aromatic, anise-based broth suited to seafood and vegetables.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Gözde Eker6/47
Crispy Salmon With Fennel-Date Salad
A one-dish dinner for a weeknight or even a dinner party. This fennel salad recipe, with chewy dates and briny olives, would be awesome on roast chicken too.
- Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski7/47
Shaved Fennel Salad With Croutons and Walnuts
This is an antidote to every side salad that ever was. Instead of meh greens, it’s got shavings of fennel that bend and twist but keep their refreshing crunch.
- Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime8/47
Rigatoni With Fennel and Anchovies
Something truly magical happens when fennel, garlic, and anchovies get caramelized together.
- Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Sophie Strangio9/47
Tangy Brisket With Fennel and Herbs
Herbal fennel effortlessly complements rich brisket. Keep this main dish in your back pocket for the next time you have company.
- Photo by Marcus Nilsson10/47
Spiced Roast Pork With Fennel and Apple Salad
Pork shoulder gets the Goa spice treatment, with star anise, fennel seeds, coriander, cumin, cloves, and more, courtesy of chef Vivek Surti of Tailor in Nashville.
- Photo by Gentl and Hyers, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Nina Lalli11/47
Butter-Basted Rib Eye with Crunchy Fennel Salad
Rich marbled meats are extra-delicious when served with cool, crunchy, acidic vegetables.
- Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Sue Li, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime12/47
Steak Sandwiches with Fennel Slaw
Fresh fennel adds crunch against thinly sliced steak and pillowy focaccia.
- Photo by TED+CHELSEA CAVANAUGH, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou13/47
Big Batch Chicken Thighs With Fennel and Scallions
Make this chicken recipe on Saturday or Sunday, then enjoy the leftovers all week long.
- Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou, Prop Styling by Ayesha Patel14/47
Crunchy Gochujang Fennel
Sliced fennel gets blanched, shocked, then tossed with a tangy gochujang dressing. Serve with a meaty main and some rice.
- Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Sue Li, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski15/47
Chickpea Pancakes With Kale and Fennel
These protein-packed, gluten-free pancakes just need something fresh and crispy on top. What could that be? Fennel of course.
- Alex Lau16/47
Seared Scallops With Red Chile Paste and Fennel Salad
Scallops: so meaty and delicious and yet so easy to overcook. That’s why we sear these on only one side, preserving the meltingly tender, near-raw texture on the other end.
- Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Sue Li17/47
Roast Sausage and Fennel With Orange
Sheet-pan sausages are a Wednesday night’s best friend. And if this is your first time trying the classic combo of fennel and orange, you’re in for a treat.
- Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou18/47
Slow-Cooked Halibut with Garlic Cream and Fennel
When garlic is cooked gently in plenty of fat (in this case, cream), it becomes something else entirely.
- Photo by Marcus Nilsson, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Amy Wilson19/47
Hot-Smoked Salmon with Salted Yogurt and Fennel
This is entrée you want to serve to guests when you have no time to cook and have no desire to turn on the oven.
- Photo by Heidi's Bridge20/47
One-Skillet Lemony Chicken with Fennel and Tomatoes
This simple, satisfying one-skillet chicken recipe leaves you with a ton of sweet, sweet pan juices—plenty of crusty bread for sopping it all up is non-negotiable.
- Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Amy Wilson21/47
Spicy Grilled Chicken With Crunchy Fennel Salad
Any grilled protein would adore this simple fennel salad with raw onion, olive oil, and mild rice vinegar.
- Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, food styling by Andy Baraghani, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski22/47
Peaches and Shaved Fennel Salad with Red Pepper
A savory fruit salad that’s best with ripe, in-season peaches or nectarines. And we’ve got a whole breakfast menu to go with it.
- Photo by Chelsie Craig, food styling by Molly Baz, prop styling by Emily Eisen23/47
Crispy Pork Cutlets with Fennel Salad
Pounding the meat both tenderizes it and allows for a very quick cook time: a win-win for weeknight dinner.
- Alex Lau24/47
Fennel-Celery Salad with Blue Cheese and Walnuts
Fennel and celery share more than just the dubious honor of being incredibly underrated vegetables. Their snappy crunch is awesome raw, as proven by this densely textured salad recipe.
- Marcus Nilsson25/47
Plum-Fennel Salad with Honey-Ginger Dressing
Slightly underripe plums? Add a touch more honey.
- Jeremy Liebman26/47
Squid and Fennel Pasta with Lemon and Herbs
On a warm, sunny day, pasta calls for fresh seafood, a big handful of herbs, and punchy lemon. All that's missing is the beach house.
- Peden & Munk27/47
Rhubarb-Fennel Gin Cocktail
Fennel in a cocktail? Why not? This one infuses vermouth with a chopped fennel bulb.
- Photo By Peden & Munk28/47
Blondie Sundaes With Fried Walnuts and Candied Fennel
Sometimes the oddest-sounding things are the most mind-blowing. Case in point: this savory, crunchy, juicy, sugary sundae.
- Ted Cavanaugh29/47
White Onion, Fennel, and Watercress Salad
Both a sliced fennel bulb and toasted fennel seeds team up in this bracing salad, great to round out any rich meal.
- Christopher Testani30/47
Endive and Fennel Gratin
This buttery gratin pairs fennel with endive, cream, and lots of Parmesan cheese. Try it next to turkey or ham at the holidays, or with pork chops for a hearty Sunday supper.
- Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott31/47
Grilled Fennel
You need little more than sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to make grilled fennel very delicious.
- Alex Lau32/47
Fennel Gratin With Walnut-Thyme Breadcrumbs
A doubly crunchy topping marks a breakthrough moment for creamy roasted fennel.
- Peden + Munk33/47
Fennel and Celery Root Salad
Be choosy when picking your produce, and look for a new-harvest olive oil for this, which will lend a bright, robust flavor.
- Laura Murray34/47
Shaved Fennel Salad with Green Olives and Provolone
It’s all in the details with this fennel salad recipe. Taste after each step to reach the perfect balance between salt and acid.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Tim Ferro36/47
Slow-Roasted Salmon with Fennel, Citrus, and Chiles
Don’t bother trying to divide this fillet into tidy portions. Instead, use a spoon to break it into perfectly imperfect pieces.
- Chris Searl37/47
Snapper Sashimi with Seaweed and Fennel
The type of fish you use is less important than its quality. Black bass, striped bass, and fluke all translate well; ask your fish guy for what’s freshest.
- Alex Lau38/47
Apple-Fennel Chicken Salad
You know what most chicken salads are missing? Crunch. Not this one!
- Juco39/47
Shrimp Salad with Cucumber and Fennel
Poaching the shrimp with their shells on locks in their flavor.
- Christopher Testani40/47
Barley, Fennel, and Beet Salad
Crunchy, bright, and hearty in all the right places, this salad just earned its spot in your weekly meal rotation. We're sure of that.
- William Abranowicz41/47
Citrus Salad with Fennel Vinaigrette
Think of the crunchy, granola-ish sesame clusters as seedy croutons for this juicy and bracing salad.
- Eva Kolenko42/47
Skillet Roast Chicken with Fennel, Parsnips, and Scallions
A beautifully browned bird and seasonal vegetables cook in a single skillet for an effortless dinner. Swap in carrots, quartered onions, or tiny potatoes—anything goes.
- Christopher Testani43/47
Roasted Carrots and Red Onions With Fennel and Mint
This sheet-pan side dish can be made hours ahead. If your baking sheet isn’t large enough to give the veggies their own space, divide them between two.
- Elizabeth Cecil44/47
Sardine Toasts with Tomato Mayonnaise and Fennel
Chef Erickson has access to the best seafood anywhere; when it comes to sardines, she goes with Matiz sardines in olive oil.
- Danny Kim45/47
Seared Swordfish with Fennel and Endive
Feel free to substitute chard and radicchio for the endive.
- Peden + Munk46/47
Red Rice Salad with Pecans, Fennel, and Herbs
Red rice is a short-grain, nutty-tasting type; you can use short-grain brown rice in its place.
- Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott47/47
Radicchio, Fennel, and Olive Panzanella
Make sure to have fresh bread on hand to soak up any extra dressing in the bowl.