fennel bulbs   Credit: Helen Norman

Crisp, green and feathery, fennel is a healthy vegetable that adds flavor to any dish. The aromatic vegetable has a subtle sweetness and licorice-like flavor, and can be enjoyed in a raw or cooked state. Plus, the entire plant is edible, so nothing goes to waste. To make the most of the vegetable, learn how to cut a fennel bulb properly with these step-by-step photos. How to Cut Fennel chopping the green from the fennel bulb Credit: Helen Norman Step 1 Cut off the stalks and fronds on top of the bulb, retaining the fronds for garnish, if desired. cutting the base off fennel bulb Credit: Helen Norman Step 2 Cut ½ inch off the root end on the bottom of the bulb. cutting fennel overhead Credit: Helen Norman Step 3 Cut the bulb in half lengthwise, from stalk end to root end, then cut those two pieces in half again, lengthwise. cutting a slice of fennel Credit: Helen Norman Step 4 Cut out the core from each of the quarters. slicing fennel Credit: Helen Norman Step 5 Slice or chop as desired. Once you have your cut fennel, the possibilities are endless. Try it in recipes like One-Skillet Salmon with Fennel & Sun-Dried Tomato Couscous or Arugula & Fennel Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette. Or, if you’re not ready to enjoy it yet, learn how to store fennel for future use.

By Lisa Kingsley and Alex Loh

fennel bulbs   Credit: Helen Norman

fennel bulbs Credit: Helen Norman

fennel bulbs

Credit: Helen Norman

Crisp, green and feathery, fennel is a healthy vegetable that adds flavor to any dish. The aromatic vegetable has a subtle sweetness and licorice-like flavor, and can be enjoyed in a raw or cooked state. Plus, the entire plant is edible, so nothing goes to waste. To make the most of the vegetable, learn how to cut a fennel bulb properly with these step-by-step photos.

How to Cut Fennel

     chopping the green from the fennel bulb     Credit: Helen Norman      Step 1   Cut off the stalks and fronds on top of the bulb, retaining the fronds for garnish, if desired.            cutting the base off fennel bulb     Credit: Helen Norman      Step 2   Cut ½ inch off the root end on the bottom of the bulb.            cutting fennel overhead     Credit: Helen Norman      Step 3   Cut the bulb in half lengthwise, from stalk end to root end, then cut those two pieces in half again, lengthwise.            cutting a slice of fennel     Credit: Helen Norman      Step 4   Cut out the core from each of the quarters.             slicing fennel     Credit: Helen Norman      Step 5   Slice or chop as desired.

Once you have your cut fennel, the possibilities are endless. Try it in recipes like One-Skillet Salmon with Fennel & Sun-Dried Tomato Couscous or Arugula & Fennel Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette. Or, if you’re not ready to enjoy it yet, learn how to store fennel for future use.

    chopping the green from the fennel bulb     Credit: Helen Norman      Step 1   Cut off the stalks and fronds on top of the bulb, retaining the fronds for garnish, if desired.   

    cutting the base off fennel bulb     Credit: Helen Norman      Step 2   Cut ½ inch off the root end on the bottom of the bulb.   

    cutting fennel overhead     Credit: Helen Norman      Step 3   Cut the bulb in half lengthwise, from stalk end to root end, then cut those two pieces in half again, lengthwise.   

    cutting a slice of fennel     Credit: Helen Norman      Step 4   Cut out the core from each of the quarters.   

    slicing fennel     Credit: Helen Norman      Step 5   Slice or chop as desired.   

  chopping the green from the fennel bulb     Credit: Helen Norman      Step 1   Cut off the stalks and fronds on top of the bulb, retaining the fronds for garnish, if desired.  

 chopping the green from the fennel bulb     Credit: Helen Norman

Step 1

Cut off the stalks and fronds on top of the bulb, retaining the fronds for garnish, if desired.

chopping the green from the fennel bulb     Credit: Helen Norman

chopping the green from the fennel bulb

Credit: Helen Norman

chopping the green from the fennel bulb

Step 1

Cut off the stalks and fronds on top of the bulb, retaining the fronds for garnish, if desired.

  cutting the base off fennel bulb     Credit: Helen Norman      Step 2   Cut ½ inch off the root end on the bottom of the bulb.  

 cutting the base off fennel bulb     Credit: Helen Norman

Step 2

Cut ½ inch off the root end on the bottom of the bulb.

cutting the base off fennel bulb     Credit: Helen Norman

cutting the base off fennel bulb

cutting the base off fennel bulb

Step 2

Cut ½ inch off the root end on the bottom of the bulb.

  cutting fennel overhead     Credit: Helen Norman      Step 3   Cut the bulb in half lengthwise, from stalk end to root end, then cut those two pieces in half again, lengthwise.  

 cutting fennel overhead     Credit: Helen Norman

Step 3

Cut the bulb in half lengthwise, from stalk end to root end, then cut those two pieces in half again, lengthwise.

cutting fennel overhead     Credit: Helen Norman

cutting fennel overhead

cutting fennel overhead

Step 3

Cut the bulb in half lengthwise, from stalk end to root end, then cut those two pieces in half again, lengthwise.

  cutting a slice of fennel     Credit: Helen Norman      Step 4   Cut out the core from each of the quarters.  

 cutting a slice of fennel     Credit: Helen Norman

Step 4

Cut out the core from each of the quarters.

cutting a slice of fennel     Credit: Helen Norman

cutting a slice of fennel

cutting a slice of fennel

Step 4

Cut out the core from each of the quarters.

  slicing fennel     Credit: Helen Norman      Step 5   Slice or chop as desired.  

 slicing fennel     Credit: Helen Norman

Step 5

Slice or chop as desired.

slicing fennel     Credit: Helen Norman

slicing fennel

slicing fennel

Step 5

Slice or chop as desired.

By Lisa Kingsley and Alex Loh