what can i use instead of fennel

What are some good substitutes for fennel?

What is a Good Substitute for Fennel Seed?

1. Dill Seeds. You probably know dill seeds in dill oil or tea. ...
2. Caraway Seeds. While we call them caraway seeds, caraway is considered a fruit, though a very small one looks similar to fennel seeds.
3. Anise Seeds. ...
4. Cumin Seeds. ...
5. Licorice Root. ...
6. Mahlab. ...
7. Fresh Fennel and Fennel Fronds. ...
8. French Tarragon. ...
9. Anisette Liqueur. ...

What to do with too much fennel?

Fennel is a hardy vegetable that can grow all year round. Its peak season is October through April. How do I fix a dish with too much fennel taste? If you have time, try adding extra ingredients that you’ve already used in your recipe to reduce the anise. Use vegetables without an overpowering flavor so that you don’t mess with the dish too ...

Can you use fennel seeds in place of fresh fennel?

Therefore, a pinch of ground fennel will pack more flavor than the same quantity of whole fennel seeds. If you want to ramp up the flavor in your fennel seed recipe, you can simply substitute the recommended amount of fennel seeds with the same ratio of ground fennel. What can I use if I don’t have fennel? Best fennel substitute

What to use instead of fennel?

What Can I Replace Fennel With?

1. Anise Seeds. These seeds taste exactly like licorice, which is a great thing when you’re trying to replace fennel, and other seeds like star anise.
2. Caraway Seeds. These seeds have a slightly less potent licorice taste, but they work equally well in replacing other seeds, dill seeds, star anise, and of course, fennel.
3. Star Anise. ...
4. Dill Seeds. ...
5. Celery. ...
6. Onion. ...

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What tastes similar to fennel?

Substitutes for Fennel:Anise.Cumin.Licorice root.Caraway seeds.Celery.Parsley.Onion.Artichoke.More items...

What spice can I use instead of fennel?

Anise. One of the best substitutes for fennel seeds is anise seeds. Fennel tastes very similar to anise seeds because of the licorice taste they both share, this makes it a great replacement for fennel seeds if you are looking for something that tastes identical and enjoys the licorice taste.

What vegetable is similar to fennel?

8 Ultimate Substitutes to Perfectly Replace FennelDill. As said earlier, fennel leaves are quite similar to dill and also have a similar aroma. ... Celery. Celery has a similar structure and texture to that of the fennel bulb. ... Mild Onion. ... Hoja Santa Leaves. ... Bok Choy. ... Artichoke Hearts. ... Parsley. ... Mexican Avocado Leaves.

Is cumin a fennel?

As a result, seeds of cumin are often referred to as fennel or vice versa by the most of the consumers in the world. But cumin and fennel are two different plants; the botanical name of cumin is Cuminum cyminum whereas the botanical name of fennel is Foeniculum vulgare.

Is fennel the same as coriander?

Fennel is a solid substitution for coriander because both contain the compound anethole, which gives them a subdued, sweet flavor. Fennel can also be mixed evenly with cumin and caraway seeds to create a spice blend that tastes like coriander.

Can I use cumin instead of fennel?

Both fennel and cumin are common spices in cuisines like Indian. So, it's no surprise that you can use cumin seeds as an alternative for fennel seeds. In terms of flavor, you might not get the exact taste, but it is quite similar.

Can I substitute celery for fennel?

Fennel. Fennel bulbs are a perfect substitute for celery! Not only does it have the distinctive crunch factor, it also has a distinct flavor similar to celery. When it's cooked down (in soups/stews/stocks) the flavor mellows out and works perfectly to replace celery.

Does fennel taste like leek?

Like celery, fennel will offer a different flavor to leek. It has a fresh anise-like flavor. Use fennel if you don't enjoy the taste of leek and want something a little different. Compared to most members of the allium family, fennel is mild and fresh.

Can I substitute dill for fennel?

If replacing fennel leaves, then dill or cilantro are the best choices. Dill has a similar freshness, where cilantro is closer to the bitterness of fennel leaves. To substitute the seeds, try either star anise or cumin seeds. Fennel seeds have a similar aniseed taste to the bulb, which the star anise mimics.

Can I substitute cumin seeds for fennel seeds?

Cumin Seeds: Cumin seeds and fennel seeds slightly differ in flavor. The former has a spicy and earthy aroma. If you require a teaspoon of fennel seeds, you may replace it with an equal amount of cumin seeds.

Is anise and fennel the same thing?

While anise and fennel both have a licorice-like flavor, they come from different plants. You'll often find anise in seed form, either whole or ground, while you can buy fennel as a seed, leaves, or as the aforementioned finocchio, whose fronds, greens and bulb are all edible.

Is dill related to fennel?

Dill and fennel often get confused for one another. They seem similar in appearance, but they are in fact two different plants used for different purposes and each possess unique characteristics that directly affect the nature of the dishes that they are used in.

What can I use if I don’t have fennel?

Fennel bulbs are a versatile ingredient, with a strong aniseed taste that can be eaten cooked or raw. When substituting, there are different parts...

What spice can you substitute for fennel?

The closest spice substitute for fennel seeds is star anise or anise seeds. Fennel seeds have a licorice taste, which can be quite strong. Star ani...

Are fennel and cumin the same?

Fennel and cumin are not the same. Both seeds belong to the Apiaceae family, but are harvested from different plants. There is a distinct flavor di...

Is star anise the same as fennel?

Star anise is not the same as fennel, although they have a similar licorice flavor. Star anise is milder in flavor than fennel seeds. It also has a...

What Is Fennel?

Fennel can be described as a perennial plant as it can live for two and more years. You can find two types of fennels – herb and Florence.

Fennel Seed Substitute

Did you know that there are ways to replace each part of the fennel bulb if you need it for your recipes? You can use every part of the fennel – from the bulb to the seeds, the stalk, and even the leaves. Here is a look at a substitution you can use for fennel seed.

8 Ultimate Substitutes to Perfectly Replace Fennel

As said earlier, fennel leaves are quite similar to dill and also have a similar aroma. However, unlike fennel that has an intense anise-like flavor, it comes with a mild flavor.

What Is Your Ideal Fennel Substitute?

With so many substitutes, choosing one should depend on your preferences and priorities. If you are looking for some accessible alternative, go with parsley. If you are more focused on getting the fennel’s anise flavor, hoja santa leaves are your best bet.

1. Fennel seeds

If the main purpose of including fresh fennel in your dish is to impart a delicate, licorice flavor, then fennel seeds may make a good substitute. Eating Well explains that fennel plants produce flowers, and the seeds are then harvested from these dried flower heads.

2. Celery

Fresh, crisp fennel shines in dishes where you can really appreciate its crunch. That makes celery a good veggie to reach for when no fennel is to be found. Although celery doesn't have the mild licorice flavor, Simply Healthy Family says it does have a very similar texture to sliced fresh fennel.

3. Onions

When there's no fresh fennel available, The Daring Kitchen says that you can reach for onion to replace them. Although they don't have the licorice notes fennel is known for, sliced or chopped onions will give your dishes the texture and crunch that would've come from fennel, as well as a flavor boost.

4. Tarragon

According to Eating Well, the light licorice flavor in fennel is present in all parts of the plant, from the seeds to bulb and even the feathery fronds. Those fronds are often chopped up and added to fresh salads or dressings, which means home cooks can look to other herbs when no fresh fennel fronds are available.

5. Belgian endive

Taste Essence suggests Belgian endive will make a good substitute for fresh fennel, although it does have a different flavor profile. According to The Spruce Eats, Belgian endive is an "elegant green" with leaves that grow in a tight cylinder.

6. Hoja santa leaves

Your familiarity with this next fennel substitute may depend upon where you live. If you do have access to it, The Daring Kitchen says that hoja santa leaves are an intriguing option. According to The Spruce Eats, this large-leaf herb is native to South America, Mexico, and may also be found in some parts of the southern and southwestern U.S.

7. Bok Choy

Another veggie you can check for in the produce aisle when no fennel is to be found, according to The Daring Kitchen, is green and white heads of bok choy. The Spruce Eats shares that bok choy can be similar in size and shape to heads of celery, but has larger, dark green leaves and white ribs.

what is fennel and what are the best fennel substitutes

Believe it or not, but fennel is an aromatic herb that actually belongs to the carrot family. No, fennel is not orange, therefore fennel substitutes will be nothing like carrot substitutes. Visually speaking, fennel has a large white bulb with green stalks (which are also edible).

top fennel substitutes that you need to know about

Fennel is a vital part of Mediterranean cuisine, especially French and Italian. If you have ever been to a local market in Italy or in the south of France, you will probably have seen the massive heaps of fennel for sale. The locals simply cannot stop buying them.

what is the best fennel substitute

Before looking for the best fennel substitute, you need to figure out in what form the fennel should have been used. If you need a raw fennel substitute, you have to look at the fresh herbs. Fresh vegetables can be hard to substitute as I learned from looking for escarole substitutes.

Fresh fennel substitutes

Similarly to the fennel, dill also has feather leaves that release an anise-like aroma. In fac,t dill looks very much like the top of a fennel. Although the dill carries a more subtle anis flavour than the fennel, and has a slightly different aroma, both are terrific for fish and seafood.

Dill seeds

Another great option for fennel seed replacements is dill seeds. If you have seen a fennel plant before you will know that the fronds on top look exactly like dill.

Carraway

Caraway seeds are a fantastic option when you are looking for a substitute for fennel seeds that will have a similar anise or licorice taste.

Cumin seeds

Cumin is a really popular spice that is commonly used in a variety of cuisines such as Mexican, South American, Indian and more.

Licorice root powder

The powder of the licorice root can also be used in place of fennel seeds if you want to replicate that same taste. You can buy licorice root powder from health stores and independent grocers.

Fresh fennel and fennel fronds

What better substitute for fennel seeds than fennel itself?! You can thinly chop up some roasted fennel to use in your recipe to add depth, texture, and flavor.

French tarragon

Like fennel, and many of the other fennel replacements on our list, french tarragon (or simply tarragon) also has a very distinct licorice flavor.

What Herb is Similar to Fennel?

The herb generally considered to be closest to fennel in terms of flavor and appearance is anise.

1. Anise seeds

Anise seeds are some of the best replacements for fennel seeds. You will find them almost in all local markets. The flavor of these seeds is very similar to fennel seeds.

2. Licorice root powder

Licorice root is a great replacement for fennel seeds. They have a similar flavor. However, the texture is different. The intensity of the flavor is stronger for licorice root so you want to use less of it.

3. Cumin seeds

Another great alternative to fennel seeds is cumin seeds. You will find these seeds in your local market. The best part? They are cheaper than fennel seeds.

4. Parsley

Parsley is another great substitute for fennel seeds. You can use fresh or dried parsley. If you want to enrich the flavor of your food, add more parsley than you would add fennel seeds. You can use parsley in soups, salads, cooked dishes, and even sandwiches and it will add a unique taste to your food.

5. Dill seeds

Dill seeds will not disappoint you if you use them instead of fennel seeds. They might actually be a better choice in some dishes as they have a fresher flavor.

6. Caraway seeds

Caraway seeds are not the first fennel seeds substitutes you should pick but they will definitely work in most dishes. These seeds don’t have the sweet flavor of fennel seeds.

7. Mahlab seed

Mahlab seeds are definitely not the most common substitute for fennel seeds but you will love using them. The sweet and sour flavor of these seeds is delicious in almost all recipes. You can use this ingredient in sweet dishes too such as cookies thanks to its versatile taste.

What Can I Replace Fennel With?

These seeds taste exactly like licorice, which is a great thing when you’re trying to replace fennel, and other seeds like star anise.

About The Author

Juliana has a BA in Journalism and Creative Writing as well as a M.S. in Nutrition, Dietetics, and Sensory Sciences. She loves traveling, trying new foods, and cooking. When she isn’t busy working, you can find her running with her dog Milo or reading a book in the sun.

1. Dill for that feathery distinct flavor

The leaves of dill are almost similar to fennel. However, its flavor is quite unique. It is known to have a mild and warm flavor, unlike fennel which has a stronger anise flavor.

2. Celery for that extra crunch

Celery can be a great fennel bulb substitute because of its almost similar texture and structure. If you don’t like the anise flavor of fennel bulb, then celery might be your best choice.

3. Bok Choy for that additional bite

If you’re working with savory recipes, then bok choy is your best bet. Although this vegetable alternative has the same texture as fennel, it features a slightly stronger bite than fennel.

4. Mexican Avocado leaves for that surprising creamy flavor

If you’re shorthanded of fennel leaves, then you may try using the Mexican variety of avocado leaves. Make sure they’re not sprayed with pesticides so that you’re not putting your health at risk. Most Mexican cuisine use these leaves in both its fresh and dried forms.

7. Artichoke hearts for a hint of lemon

For those who want a subtle lemony taste, artichoke hearts just might win your hearts –literally. However, the spiny tips on the leaves of artichokes might be a hassle when preparing them so you will have to remove the artichoke hearts.

8. Mild Onion for that surprising sweet taste

Another great alternative for fennel bulb is a mild onion. This is because it offers a sweet flavor when sautéed or grilled.

9. Pernod (liqueur) for that zesty flavor

You might wonder why Pernod liqueur could substitute fennel. The fact is Pernod contains a hint of licorice and anise flavor, which is stronger than fennel bulb. It complements seafood dishes very well.