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    Home » All Recipes

    Author: Donna | Published: Jan 29, 2018 | Modified: Jun 19, 2018

    What to do with Fennel Fronds: 10 Great Recipes

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    Fennel Fronds

    If you have ever bought a huge fennel from the market you may have been left wondering what to do with the fennel fronds. Don't throw it away, or throw it into the compost, there are so many delicious ways to use up that yumminess, and I have a lovely list just waiting for your perusal. 

    Fennel Frond and Pineapple Smoothie
    Fennel fronds have a very subtle flavor, which makes them perfect for adding to lots of dishes.
    Jump to:
    • How To Use Fennel Fronds
    • Pesto and Croutons
    • Smoothies
    • Fennel Fronds In Salads
    • Fennel, Carrot, and Zucchini Salad
    • Grilled Beet and Fennel Salad with Sprouted Lentils
    • Fennel, Kohlrabi, and Blueberry Salad
    • Wild Rice Stuffing Recipe (Vegetarian)
    • Fennel Fronds In Main Dishes
    • Pasta con sarde a mare - 'pasta with sardines at sea'
    • Easy Grilled Chicken Leg Quarters
    • Porchetta

    How To Use Fennel Fronds

    Fennel fronds are an extremely versatile ingredient that can be used for lots of different recipes.

    You can:

    • mix chopped fennel fronds into homemade pestos,
    • add to salsas,
    • sprinkle on top of, or mix through salads,
    • add to homemade stocks,
    • stir through pastas,
    • add to curries,
    • add to vinaigrettes and homemade salad dressings for an added hit of flavor and freshness;
    • use as a garnish on dips,
    • add to yogurt sauces,
    • sprinkle on scrambled eggs,
    • add to stir-fries,
    • use when cooking chicken, fish or meats,
    • sprinkled on top of roasted vegetables, and
    • add to a green smoothie or juice.

    So many options for this versatile leafy green that usually ends up being chucked.

    Up close overhead shot of crunchy homemade croutons stored in a glass jar
    Using fennel fronds to make pesto and then using that pesto to make croutons is a great zero-waste way to use up fennel fronds and day old bread.

    Pesto and Croutons

    First and foremost, you can't go past a good ol' pesto recipe. 

    Fennel Frond Pesto requires just a handful of ingredients you will likely have on hand, and you end up with a great freezer-friendly pesto to use wherever you would use a normal pesto.

    Fennel frond pesto is just amazing when served on top of fish or mixed through some pasta or through a cheesy dip like this one: Warm Pesto Chicken and Cheese Dip Recipe.

    Fennel frond pesto can also be used to spruce up some Leftover Pesto Idea: Quick Pesto Croutons.

    These are just perfect on top of a fresh bowl of soup.

    Fennel Fronds Pesto
    Why not try your hand at some homemade pesto if you have lots of fresh herbs in the garden?

    Smoothies

    Have you ever tried adding fennel fronds to a smoothie?

    Stir things up and make your next smoothie a Fennel Frond and Pineapple Smoothie.

    Chunks of frozen pineapple combine with the subtle anise flavor of the fennel fronds, making for a great refreshing drink.

    Fennel fronds also pair really well with:

    • Cucumbers
    • Pears
    • Berries
    • Spinach
    • Banana
    • Mango
    • Citrus
    • Melon
    • Apple, and
    • Coconut

    So why not come up with your own concoction using some of your favorite ingredients above and pop some fennel fronds in for good measure.

    You can also try adding the fronds to your next homemade juice.

    Fennel Frond and Pineapple Smoothie

    Fennel Fronds In Salads

    Salad Recipes Using Fennel Fronds

    Fennel fronds add a subtle but delicious flavor to salads. Whether they be mixed through the salad itself, or simply sprinkled on top as a garnish, they make the perfect addition when you want something that little bit different.

    1

    Fennel, Carrot, and Zucchini Salad

    This Fennel, Carrot, and Zucchini Salad from Salt and Lavender is as tasty as it is colorful. It’s light and fresh and makes the perfect appetizer or side salad.

    2

    Grilled Beet and Fennel Salad with Sprouted Lentils

    This hearty and flavorful Grilled Beet and Fennel Salad with Sprouted Lentils from La Petite Chef is accented with a schmear of plant-based orange and cumin-scented yogurt.

    3

    Fennel, Kohlrabi, and Blueberry Salad

    Enjoy this delicately complex and crunchy Fennel, Kohlrabi, and Blueberry Salad from Simple Seasonal that utilizes all parts of a sometimes baffling vegetable.

    4

    Wild Rice Stuffing Recipe (Vegetarian)

    This savory and hearty Wild Rice and Fennel Stuffing make a great side dish at any gathering, from The Rustic Foodie.

    Fennel Fronds In Main Dishes

    Fennel Fronds In Main Dishes

    Adding a slight aniseed flavor to any dish, fennel fronds also add a pop of color and extra nutrition. They also look pretty and are a lot cheaper than the more commonly used microgreens.

    1

    Pasta con sarde a mare - 'pasta with sardines at sea'

    This pasta dish from Caroline's Cooking uses the whole bulb and the fennel fronds so that there is no wastage at all.

    2

    Easy Grilled Chicken Leg Quarters

    This Grilled Chicken with Fennel and Apricots from She Loves Biscotti is the perfect show-stopping dish to wow guests at your next BBQ.

    3

    Porchetta

    Porchetta from Caroline's Cooking is a classic Italian pork roast, great in sandwiches. Left to infuse with herbs, fennel, and salt overnight, the flavor is delicious and the fat is crisp. So good.

    And there we have it.

    Ten amazing ways to use up an absolutely fantastic ingredient that usually ends up in the garbage!

    How will you eat your fennel fronds?

    I just love to hear from you, so be sure to pop back and leave a comment and let us know which recipe you tried or HAVE to try 🙂

    What can I do with fennel fronds?

    You can mix chopped fennel fronds into homemade pestos, salsas, salads, stocks, pastas, curries, and vinaigrettes for an added hit of flavor and freshness. They can also be used as a garnish on dips, yogurt sauces, eggs, stir-fries, chicken and meats.
    They are also delicious sprinkled on top of roasted vegetables or added to a green smoothie or juice.

    Can fennel fronds be frozen?

    Yes.
    Give the fronds a really good wash and dry with a kitchen towel.
    Pop into a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for about 6 months.

    Happy eating.

    Fennel Fronds Pesto

    10 Great Ways To Use Fennel Fronds

    This collection of 10 great recipes for using fennel fronds will have you saving those fennel fronds from the garbage bin every week. Add a pop of color and a delicious subtle flavor to your next dish.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Anytime
    Servings 4 serves
    Calories 39 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 500 grams fennel fronds
    • other ingredients of choice
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Choose a recipe from the list that you think you and your family will love.
    • Make a shopping list and buy all of the ingredients.
    • Make the dish and enjoy!

    Notes

     
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 39kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 2gFat: 0.3gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 65mgPotassium: 518mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 168IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword fennel fronds recipe
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment HERE and let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gladys says

      April 25, 2020 at 4:58 pm

      It's so lovely to see so many variations with fennel fronds. I love using them in pesto.

      Reply
    2. Jordan says

      February 04, 2018 at 10:20 pm

      I've never even thought about using fennel fronds. I feel so silly! Definitely loving these ideas, the smoothie was amazing!

      Reply
      • Donna1 says

        February 08, 2018 at 8:18 pm

        Oh I just started this past year and I am kicking myself as they have such a great subtle flavor!

        Reply
    3. Christine says

      January 29, 2018 at 7:12 pm

      Love this post - I hate to waste fennel fronds and they have so much flavor! Thank you for including my recipe. 🙂

      Reply
      • Donna1 says

        January 30, 2018 at 7:13 am

        Yay no worries! We hate waste and love the subtle flavor of fennel fronds, so always trying to share new ways to enjoy them 🙂

        Reply
    4. Maria says

      January 29, 2018 at 6:07 am

      I am a HUGE fan of fennel... always looking for recipes that highlight this wonderful vegetable. This is a wonderful round-up of fennel recipes. Have pinned a few to try. Thanks for including my fennel chicken ♥♥♥

      Reply
      • Donna1 says

        January 29, 2018 at 7:41 am

        We love it too, so misunderstood 🙂 Thanks for sharing that chicken recipe, it is AMAZING!!

        Reply

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