Roasted Fennel

This easy roasted fennel makes a perfect side for roast chicken or seafood.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
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Updated December 12, 2024
Elise Bauer
Roasted Fennel
Elise Bauer

Fennel is a wonderfully versatile vegetable. It resembles a peeled onion bulb that someone has pressed between their hands so it's no longer round, with a green celery-like stalk and dill-ish fronds.

It has the cool crunch of celery with a strong note of licorice when you take a bite. It is lovely sliced thin and served with Parmesan in a salad, luscious and filling in a cheesy gratin, and absolutely delicious roasted.

roasted fennel on a plate
Elise Bauer

Roasted, fennel caramelizes at the edges and loses its crunch. The licorice notes that were so discernible when the fennel was raw leave only a hint when roasted. Even people who run from anything licorice-ish (like my father) easily enjoy fennel when it is warm and roasted.

This simple dish of fennel roasted with olive oil and balsamic vinegar would be perfect with roast chicken, fish, or seafood.

More Ways to Enjoy Fennel

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Roasted Fennel

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 40 mins
Total Time 50 mins
Servings 4 servings
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Ingredients

  • 2 fennel bulbs, stalks cut off, bulbs halved lengthwise and cut lengthwise in 1-inch wedges

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, or more to taste

  • 2 teaspoons (or more) balsamic vinegar, or more to taste

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C).
  2. Toss the fennel wedges with olive oil and balsamic:

    Place the fennel wedges in a bowl and toss them with 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil, just enough to coat them. Sprinkle with balsamic vinegar, again just enough to coat.

  3. Roast the fennel:

    Line a roasting pan or baking dish Silpat or aluminum foil brushed with olive oil. Arrange the fennel wedges on the pan and roast them at 400°F (205°C) for 40 minutes or until the fennel wedges are cooked through and beginning to caramelize at the edges.

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    Elise Bauer
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    Elise Bauer
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
75 Calories
7g Fat
4g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 75
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g 9%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 23mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 4g 1%
Dietary Fiber 1g 5%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 5mg 26%
Calcium 22mg 2%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 183mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.