07.09.2018
12 Best Fennel Substitutes
Need a fennel swap? Find 12 easy substitutes for seeds and bulbs with tips and ratios for soups, sausages, curries and baking.
- Fennel has a sweet, licorice like flavor that softens when cooked; many spices and vegetables can mimic it.
- Top seed swaps are anise, caraway, licorice root and celery seed; use stronger spices more sparingly.
- Match substitutes to the dish: celery or parsley for soups, anise or caraway for sausage, cumin plus celery seed for curry.
Fennel has such a unique flavor that leaves many wondering “What does fennel taste like”? Fennel is a fragrant sweet seed with a taste similar to anise. In ancient times it was used medicinally and to ward off evil spirits. In modern times it can be found in biscotti, Kashmiri dishes, as well as in sausages - its uses are many. It blends well with seafood, pork and tomatoes.
Fennel seed alternatives range from Anise to celery and parsley. Onion artichoke and bok choy are also suitable substitutes in a pinch.
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Substitutes for Fennel:
With such a distinct flavor, you’d think it would be hard to find a decent substitute, however there are actually many spices that will give your dish the same unique taste without the fennel. We suggest using the following spices in place of fennel:
- Anise
- Cumin
- Licorice root
- Caraway seeds
- Celery
- Parsley
- Onion
- Artichoke
- Dill
- Leeks
- Bok Choy
- Pernod Absinthe
Substitute for Fennel Seed in Sausage
Fennel seeds play an important role in italian sausage, making it the most prominent flavor in many sausages. Because fennel can be such a strong flavor, it’s not uncommon to dislike the taste. If you prefer using a different spice in your sausages, but want to keep a traditional flavor, try using one of the spices here instead!
- Anise
- Cumin
- Licorice Root
- Caraway seed
Fennel Substitute FAQs
What’s a Good Fennel Substitute in Soup?
When fennel is used in soups or stews the flavor becomes milder and the texture becomes softer, so you’ll want to use spices like celery seed or parsley when substituting fennel in soups or stews.
What Should I Substitute for Fennel Seeds in Curry?
Fennel is used widely in Indian cooking especially in curries and even when making pickles. The fennel in curries can be replaced by using cumin and celery seed. These two flavors together will bring a similar aroma and sweetness to your curry dish.
What’s a Good Fennel Seed Substitute in Lasagna?
If you’d rather not use fennel in your lasagna because you don’t love the taste, try using caraway seeds or dill seeds instead. Caraway has a similar impact in lasagna but doesn’t have as sweet of a flavor as fennel. Dill seeds give lasagna a similar texture, but without the strong licorice or anise flavor.
Can You Substitute Onion for Fennel?
Yes! Onion - as well as leeks - in soups or stews is a great substitute for fennel. Although onion doesn’t share all of the flavors that fennel does, it cooks similarly to how fennel cooks. Because onions don’t have all of the flavor of fennel, if you’re looking for a substitute for fennel seed, try using anise instead.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does fennel taste like?
Fennel tastes sweet with a clear licorice or anise note. Raw fennel is crisp and bright. Cooking it softens the texture and mellows the licorice aroma.
What is the best substitute for fennel seeds?
Good seed substitutes are anise, caraway, licorice root, dill seed or celery seed. Anise and licorice are closer in flavor but stronger, so use them more sparingly. Caraway and celery seed give a similar impact at a 1 to 1 amount.
How do I replace fennel in sausage?
For Italian style sausage try anise, caraway, licorice root or a touch of cumin. Use caraway 1 to 1. If using stronger anise or licorice, start with half to three quarters of the fennel amount and adjust to taste.
Can I swap fennel bulb with onion or celery?
Yes. Onion, leeks or celery work well for fennel bulb in soups and sautés because they cook similarly. To recover some of fennel's sweet anise note, add a small pinch of crushed anise seed or a bit of fennel seed if available.
What should I use instead of fennel in curry?
Many Indian curries use fennel for sweetness. Replace it with a mix of ground cumin and celery seed or a small amount of crushed anise. Start with equal total volume to the fennel called for and adjust until the aroma feels right.
Which substitute is best for soups and stews?
In soups and stews fennel mellows, so mild aromatics like celery, parsley or leek are excellent swaps. If you want the licorice hint, add a pinprick of anise or a light sprinkle of dill.
Can I use Pernod or absinthe in place of fennel?
Yes for recipes where a liquid flavoring works. Pernod or anise liqueur adds that licorice brightness. Use very small amounts, taste as you go, and cook off the alcohol if needed. Start with a teaspoon and adjust.
How do I replace fennel in baking like biscotti?
For baking use anise seed or ground licorice root as the closest taste matches. You can swap seeds 1 to 1. If using anise extract, use only a few drops because liquid extracts are concentrated.
What does fennel taste like?
Fennel tastes sweet with a clear licorice or anise note. Raw fennel is crisp and bright. Cooking it softens the texture and mellows the licorice aroma.
What is the best substitute for fennel seeds?
Good seed substitutes are anise, caraway, licorice root, dill seed or celery seed. Anise and licorice are closer in flavor but stronger, so use them more sparingly. Caraway and celery seed give a similar impact at a 1 to 1 amount.
How do I replace fennel in sausage?
For Italian style sausage try anise, caraway, licorice root or a touch of cumin. Use caraway 1 to 1. If using stronger anise or licorice, start with half to three quarters of the fennel amount and adjust to taste.
Can I swap fennel bulb with onion or celery?
Yes. Onion, leeks or celery work well for fennel bulb in soups and sautés because they cook similarly. To recover some of fennel's sweet anise note, add a small pinch of crushed anise seed or a bit of fennel seed if available.
What should I use instead of fennel in curry?
Many Indian curries use fennel for sweetness. Replace it with a mix of ground cumin and celery seed or a small amount of crushed anise. Start with equal total volume to the fennel called for and adjust until the aroma feels right.
Which substitute is best for soups and stews?
In soups and stews fennel mellows, so mild aromatics like celery, parsley or leek are excellent swaps. If you want the licorice hint, add a pinprick of anise or a light sprinkle of dill.
Can I use Pernod or absinthe in place of fennel?
Yes for recipes where a liquid flavoring works. Pernod or anise liqueur adds that licorice brightness. Use very small amounts, taste as you go, and cook off the alcohol if needed. Start with a teaspoon and adjust.
How do I replace fennel in baking like biscotti?
For baking use anise seed or ground licorice root as the closest taste matches. You can swap seeds 1 to 1. If using anise extract, use only a few drops because liquid extracts are concentrated.
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