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

Felicia Lim

August 7, 2024 at 5:51 AM·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.

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.

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.