• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
All Our Way
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Wild Game
  • Contact
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Wild Game
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Wild Game
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Recipes » Vegetables and Sides

Caramelized Fennel and Onions - An Easy Mediterranean Side

Published: Jul 1, 2020 · Modified: Apr 30, 2023 by Marisa Franca · 69 Comments

Jump to Recipe
Slowly sautéed onions and fennel until they are caramelized and seasoned with lemon, parmesan and herbs. A delicious Italian side dish that is ideal served with chicken or pork.Slowly sautéed onions and fennel until they are caramelized and seasoned with lemon, parmesan and herbs. A delicious Italian side dish that is ideal served with chicken or pork.

Did you know you could caramelize a fennel bulb with onions and have it turn out to be one of the most amazing dishes you've ever tasted? I didn't know cooking anise flavor fennel slowly with onions would magically transform the white bulb from ordinary to extraordinary. This will soon become one of your favorite fennel recipes.  

Roasted Fennel and Onion in a serving dish.
This is one of our favorite make ahead pan roasted vegetable sides.
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
  • 🛒 Ingredients
  • 🗒 Instructions
  • 🔪 Equipment
  • 🤔 FAQs
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 Tips
  • 📚 Variations
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 📗 Related Recipes
  • 🍽 Serve with
  • 📞 Chiacchierata (chat)
  • 📝 Recipe Card
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

  • It’s a slight upgrade from the usual caramelized onions that we’re all used to serving. Trust me, this caramelized fennel and onions recipe is sure to impress the family and guests!
  • This recipe calls for simple ingredients that add incredible flavor.
  •  This side dish is a great way to use up any extra fennel that you may have purchased from the farmer’s market or that you’ve grown yourself in the vegetable garden!

While you do have to invest some time to reach that perfect caramelization of the fennel and onions, the result is undeniably worth it!

🛒 Ingredients

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Image of ingredients necessary for making Caramelized Fennel and Onion Recipe.

Note: The full list of this recipe ingredients with their amounts and options are listed in the recipe card below.

  • Fennel
  • Red Onion
  • Fresh Lemon
  • Olive Oil
  • Parmesan Cheese
  • Butter
  • Fresh Basil
  • Kosher Salt
  • Black Pepper

🗒 Instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.

First set of instructions for caramelizing the fennel and onions.
  1. Heat a large skillet with oil and butter and then add the sliced fennel and onions. 
  2. Stir occasionally, making sure that the onions and fennel are well coated, adding some salt and scraping the bottom of any bits suck. To avoid the vegetables from drying out, lower the heat and add in small amounts of water if needed.
  3. After 30 minutes of cooking, start to add in the additional ingredients.
  4. At this point, you will have added the lemon zest, grated parmesan, chopped parsley, lemon juice, and black pepper.
Second set of four steps to making the roasted fennel and onions.
  1. Remove the pan from the heat.
  2. Stir all the ingredients well so that all flavors are fully incorporated.
  3. Check to see that the fennel and onion are caramelized so that they are soft. If not, you can add the pan back to the heat for a little longer.
  4. Sprinkle the completed dish with slivered basil leaves or the fennel fronds, if desired.

🔪 Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant i the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You’ll need the following items to make this pan roasted fennel and onion recipe successfully.

  • Cutting Board
  • Sharp Knife
  • Large Skillet
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Citrus Juicer
  • Measuring Spoons

🤔 FAQs

These are the questions we are most frequently asked about making Caramelized Fennel and Onion Recipe.

How should I store excess fennel?

If you have more fennel than what’s required for this recipe, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

What does fennel smell and taste like?

Fennel smells and tastes like sweet black licorice or anise. While this flavor profile is not everyone’s favorite, the caramelization with the onion is simply mouth-watering!

How do I select quality fennel?

When picking that perfect bulb, make sure that it’s clean, without blemishes or splitting, is whitish or pale green, has a subtle smell of licorice or anise, and does not have any flowering which would be an indication that it’s passed maturity. 

👩🏻‍🍳 Tips

  • It’s important to take your time and ensure a slow sauteeing of the fennel as this is what will mellow out the licorice flavor to a mild and sweet flavor. This is particularly helpful if you don’t enjoy a strong licorice or anise flavor. 
  • Always use quality fennel when making this dish as it will result in the best taste and help extend storage life too!
  • If you don’t anticipate using up excess fennel anytime soon then you may want to freeze it. Just make sure that you first blanch (scald in boiling water) the bulbs before freezing them for a couple of months.

📚 Variations

  • Make a spicy version of this recipe by adding in some chili flakes or cayenne pepper. 
  • Instead of Parmesan cheese, consider sprinkling some crumbled goat cheese throughout the caramelized fennel and onions. 
  • Instead of a vegetable side dish, consider using this caramelized fennel and onions recipe as a topping for a baked brie dip, a homemade pizza, or loaded baked potatoes. 
  • Make a caramelized leek, fennel and onion gratin with this recipe as one of the steps.
Pan roasted fennel and onion with a wooden spoon.
Pan roasted fennel and onion until they're caramelized increases the flavor and sweetness of the vegetables.

🥫 Storage

Caramelized fennel and onions can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You also have the option of freezing this vegetable side dish for up to 3 months. 

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop, adding a little olive oil if needed.

📗 Related Recipes

If you love vegetable dishes like I do, then be sure to add some of my favorite side dish choices such as Lemon Garlic Roasted Mushrooms, Tuscan Kale With Mushrooms And Garlic, Baby Arugula Tossed With Roasted Mushrooms And Leeks, and Lemon Garlic Asparagus With Parmesan. 

Sometimes I find myself getting even more excited about a vegetable side dish than the main course!

🍽 Serve with

Caramelized fennel and onions can be enjoyed as a side dish or topping to a delicious main course such as this Grilled Marinated Venison Steak, Italian sausage, or pork chops, roast chicken, or even seafood. It’s also perfect as a garnish to my Portabella Mushroom Pizza Hamburgers!


Of course, nothing has ever stopped me from savoring a slice of freshly baked Dutch Oven Bread with caramelized fennel and onions.

📞 Chiacchierata (chat)

We were at the farmers market going up and down the aisles when I spotted an overflowing bin of fresh fennel bulbs.

I turned to Honey and said, "Look at those bulbs, can you imagine how one of those delicious crunchy bulbs would taste in our orange salad? Let's buy one!"

"You sure, Babe? Look at this cart; it's loaded with vegetables and fruit. Will you be able to use it before it spoils?"
"Absolutely!" My mind kept churning out potential recipes. "Instead, I might use it in a quinoa salad." I'm so excited, fresh vegetables and fruit do that to me. 🙂

Black iron pots filled with roasted fennel and onion recipe.
Our family loves the taste of the caramelized fennel and onion with a touch of lemon to cut the sweetness.

What's new? Check out my All Our Way Store on Amazon. We'll be adding more items we love and use or wish we had to make cooking fun and easy.

📝 Recipe Card

If you’re looking for a vegetable side dish that will stand out and transform an ordinary main course into something special then caramelized fennel and onions is a must-try!

The sweet licorice-flavored fennel pairs beautifully with the red onion - ideal as a side to roast or grilled meats, as a topping or garnish, or to be added to cream cheese to make an irresistible dip! 

If you like fennel, be sure to try Orange Fennel Salad.

We love our caramelized onion. If you're like us, then you have to try out Saucy Tortellini With Caramelized Onion and Spinach. It's a fantastic one-skillet dinner.

And if you want to serve a salad that has the flavors of Southern Italy, try our Antipasto Mediterranean Chickpea Salad.

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

📖 Recipe

Caramelized Fennel and Onions – A Slow, Easy Mediterranean Side

Sliced Fennel and onions are sautéed first then slowly cooked until they are caramelized to a toasty brown, finished with Parmesan, lemon, and Italian parsley. A great side dish with a sweet flavor and licorice notes.
5 from 22 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, side, Vegetables
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour hour
Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: 256kcal
Author: Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
As An Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

  • Non-skid cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Large iron skillet
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Citrus juicer
  • Measuring Spoons

Ingredients

  • 1 large fennel bulb slice fennel into ¼ inch slices.
  • 1 large red onion may also use white onion cut in ¼ inch thick slices (halved then sliced lengthwise from root to tip)
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan
  • 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest may use orange zest
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice may use orange juice
  • black pepper dash
  • Basil leaves rolled and sliced for top optional

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet uncovered over medium-high heat. Add the sliced fennel and onions and stir to coat.
    Stir occasionally, after 10 minutes sprinkle the vegetables with about a teaspoon salt.
    Lower the temperature to medium. You want the pan hot enough to get the caramelization going but not so much that the fennel and onions dry out. If that does happen, add a tablespoon or two of water.
  • Stir occasionally, scraping up any bits that are on the bottom. The brown bits are the ones with the most flavor.
    Cook for another 30 minutes or up to an hour, depending on how impatient you are.
    The longer it cooks the more caramelized the onions and fennel become. Taste test along the way. The dish will have a lot of flavor and doesn't have to be cooked down all the way.
  • When ready to serve, remove the pan from the heat, add in the grated Parmesan cheese, the chopped parsley, lemon zest, and lemon juice, and black pepper.
  • Sprinkle with slivered basil leaves, if desired. Or serve with the fennel fronds.
  • Pan roasted fennel is excellent served with Italian sausages, pork chops, roast chicken, seafood, or on crostini. I can't think of anything that I wouldn't serve with it.

Notes

Inspired by Yotam Ottolenghi's Caramelized Fennel with Goat's Curd and Simply Recipe's Caramelized Fennel and Onions

Nutrition

Calories: 256kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 190mg | Potassium: 564mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 545IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 125mg | Iron: 1.1mg

Sign up for the emails and never miss another recipe!!

    Powered By ConvertKit
    We'll never share your email or send you spam. Promise
    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    Share

    More Vegetables and Sides

    • Colored bell peppers sauteed with onions and olive oil.
      Traditional Italian Peperonata
    • Sauteed fresh baby spinach with grape tomatoes served with crispy, black drum a fish that's light, tasty, not oily.
      Sauteed Fresh Baby Spinach and Grape Tomatoes
    • A bowl filled with Ciambotta an Italian vegetable stew.
      Italian Ciambotta or Giambotta
    • Herbed lemon quinoa with spinach in a brown pottery bowl.
      Herbed Lemon Quinoa with Spinach

    Primary Sidebar

    Slowly sautéed onions and fennel until they are caramelized and seasoned with lemon, parmesan and herbs. A delicious Italian side dish that is ideal served with chicken or pork.Slowly sautéed onions and fennel until they are caramelized and seasoned with lemon, parmesan and herbs. A delicious Italian side dish that is ideal served with chicken or pork.

    I’m Marisa Franca, a home chef, food writer, and photographer who believes that you can make gourmet quality food at home with simple seasonal ingredients. I’m passionate about family, food, friends, everything Italian, and happy endings.

    More about me →

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    🍁Cozy Autumn Favorites

    • A white plate filled with Johnny Marzetti casserole with a sprinkle of parsley on top.
      Johnny Marzetti Casserole
    • White Lasagna made with cheese ravioli and layered with delicious béchamel sauce with cheese.
      White Lasagna Ravioli
    • A cast iron skillet holding the Beefy Ravioli Bake with torn basil leaves sprinkled on top.
      Beefy Baked Ravioli
    • A large skillet filled with cheese ravioli with pumpkin cream sauce and topped with roasted chopped hazelnuts and fried sage leaves.
      Ravioli With Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

    💨 Chill Chasing Soups

    • Closeup of a white ceramic bowl filled with a vegetable hamburger soup with potatoes.
      Hamburger Soup With Vegetables
    • A white bowl filled with chicken lentil soup a Mediterranean dish.
      Chicken Lentil Soup
    • Closeup of potato soup.
      Copycat Outback Potato Soup Recipe
    • An overhead view of a bowl filled with Tuscan Sausage Kale soup on a white table and kale leaves sprinkled around the bowl.
      Tuscan White Bean Soup

    Footer

    Slowly sautéed onions and fennel until they are caramelized and seasoned with lemon, parmesan and herbs. A delicious Italian side dish that is ideal served with chicken or pork.Slowly sautéed onions and fennel until they are caramelized and seasoned with lemon, parmesan and herbs. A delicious Italian side dish that is ideal served with chicken or pork.

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About
    • Accessibility

    Newsletter

    • Subscribe for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 All Our Way