9 Awesome Ways to Use Up Fennel Fronds (2024)

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.

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 dressingsfor 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.

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.

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 Fronds In Salads

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

ThisFennel, Carrot, and Zucchini Saladfrom 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 flavorfulGrilled Beet and Fennel Salad with Sprouted Lentilsfrom La Petite Chef is accented with a schmear of plant-based orange and cumin-scented yogurt.

3

See Also

What is Oyster Sauce, Where to Buy It, Recipes to Make with ItKichel (Jewish Bow Tie Cookies)Glühwein (German Mulled Wine) - Recipes From EuropeCopycat Boston Market Sweet Potato Casserole

Fennel, Kohlrabi, and Blueberry Salad

Enjoy this delicately complex and crunchyFennel, Kohlrabi, and Blueberry Saladfrom Simple Seasonal that utilizes all parts of a sometimes baffling vegetable.

4

Wild Rice Stuffing Recipe (Vegetarian)

Thissavory and heartyWild Rice and Fennel Stuffingmake a great side dish at any gathering, from The Rustic Foodie.

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

ThisGrilled Chicken with Fennel and Apricotsfrom She Loves Biscotti is the perfect show-stopping dish to wow guests at your next BBQ.

3

Porchetta

Porchettafrom 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 🙂

Happy eating.