You can find fennel at grocery stores or farmers’ markets when they’re in season in late winter. Look for these characteristics when shopping for fresh fennel: 

- __Look for white bulbs__. Choose large white bulbs of [fennel](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-fennel-benefits-of-fennel-plus-easy-recipe-and-cooking-ideas) with no discoloration or spots. Any discoloration is a sign that the fennel has started to turn. 
- __Avoid wilted fronds__. Good fennel bulbs will have long, green fennel stalks with bright green feathery fronds. Wilted fronds indicate that the fennel is not at its freshest. Sometimes, produce managers at grocery stores will trim the stalks and leaves when they begin to wilt, so avoid buying pre-trimmed fennel. 
- __Check the aroma__. Before purchasing fennel bulbs, make sure the plant has the right aroma. Fresh fennel will have a smell similar to [anise](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-anise-seed-in-cooking) or licorice.

Separate fresh fennel into its edible parts (bulbs, stalks, fronds, and seeds) and store them separately to prolong the shelf life. Here is an overview of storing fennel bulbs, stalks, fronds, and seeds. 

- __Store bulbs in the refrigerator__. Store fresh fennel bulbs in the fridge to keep them fresh for seven to ten days. Cut the fennel stalks off the bulb and store them in a plastic bag or an airtight container. 
- __Store stalks and fronds in water__. Store cut fennel stalks in a jar of water on the kitchen counter or in the fridge for a couple of days. Alternatively, store them in a plastic bag or airtight container for seven to ten days. 
- __Store seeds in the pantry__. Keep fennel seeds in a glass jar in your pantry or cupboard. Add them to stews, Italian sausages, or baked goods to give them an anise flavor. You can use the seeds for up to four years. 
Fennel will keep fresh in your freezer for up to six months when stored properly. Follow these simple instructions for freezing your fennel bulbs and stalks. 

- __Cut and freeze the fronds__. Trim the fennel frond stalks off the bulb and cut them into one-inch pieces. Place the cut stalks into an ice cube tray, fill each well with water or olive oil, then place the tray in the freezer. Thaw the fronds to use as a garnish.
- __Blanch the bulbs__. Using a sharp knife, cut the base of the fresh fennel off the bulb and slice the bulb into quarters. (If there are any dark spots on the fennel, peel away the outer layer and discard.) Place the sliced fennel pieces in a pot of boiling water for one minute to blanch them. Remove the quarters from the water and immediately put them into a bowl of cold water to cool. 
- __Wrap and store in the freezer__. Wrap the fennel bulb pieces in plastic wrap or a freezer bag and place them in the freezer. Fennel will keep in the freezer for up to six months. 

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The fennel plant is a vegetable with a crisp texture and licorice flavor that can enhance many dishes, from salads to stews. Follow this guide to learn how to store fennel and elongate its shelf life. 

The fennel plant is a vegetable with a crisp texture and licorice flavor that can enhance many dishes, from salads to stews. Follow this guide to learn how to store fennel and elongate its shelf life. 

How to Store Fennel in the Fridge or Freezer

You can find fennel at grocery stores or farmers’ markets when they’re in season in late winter. Look for these characteristics when shopping for fresh fennel: <ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Look for white bulbs. Choose large white bulbs of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-fennel-benefits-of-fennel-plus-easy-recipe-and-cooking-ideas' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-fennel-benefits-of-fennel-plus-easy-recipe-and-cooking-ideas","linkCopy":"fennel","category":null}'>fennel</a> with no discoloration or spots. Any discoloration is a sign that the fennel has started to turn. </li><li class="">Avoid wilted fronds. Good fennel bulbs will have long, green fennel stalks with bright green feathery fronds. Wilted fronds indicate that the fennel is not at its freshest. Sometimes, produce managers at grocery stores will trim the stalks and leaves when they begin to wilt, so avoid buying pre-trimmed fennel. </li><li class="">Check the aroma. Before purchasing fennel bulbs, make sure the plant has the right aroma. Fresh fennel will have a smell similar to <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-anise-seed-in-cooking' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-anise-seed-in-cooking","linkCopy":"anise","category":null}'>anise</a> or licorice. </li></ul>

How to Buy Fresh Fennel

Separate fresh fennel into its edible parts (bulbs, stalks, fronds, and seeds) and store them separately to prolong the shelf life. Here is an overview of storing fennel bulbs, stalks, fronds, and seeds. <ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Store bulbs in the refrigerator. Store fresh fennel bulbs in the fridge to keep them fresh for seven to ten days. Cut the fennel stalks off the bulb and store them in a plastic bag or an airtight container. </li><li class="">Store stalks and fronds in water. Store cut fennel stalks in a jar of water on the kitchen counter or in the fridge for a couple of days. Alternatively, store them in a plastic bag or airtight container for seven to ten days. </li><li class="">Store seeds in the pantry. Keep fennel seeds in a glass jar in your pantry or cupboard. Add them to stews, Italian sausages, or baked goods to give them an anise flavor. You can use the seeds for up to four years. </li></ul>

How to Store Fennel  

Fennel will keep fresh in your freezer for up to six months when stored properly. Follow these simple instructions for freezing your fennel bulbs and stalks. <ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Cut and freeze the fronds. Trim the fennel frond stalks off the bulb and cut them into one-inch pieces. Place the cut stalks into an ice cube tray, fill each well with water or olive oil, then place the tray in the freezer. Thaw the fronds to use as a garnish. </li><li class="">Blanch the bulbs. Using a sharp knife, cut the base of the fresh fennel off the bulb and slice the bulb into quarters. (If there are any dark spots on the fennel, peel away the outer layer and discard.) Place the sliced fennel pieces in a pot of boiling water for one minute to blanch them. Remove the quarters from the water and immediately put them into a bowl of cold water to cool. </li><li class="">Wrap and store in the freezer. Wrap the fennel bulb pieces in plastic wrap or a freezer bag and place them in the freezer. Fennel will keep in the freezer for up to six months. </li></ul>

How to Freeze Fennel

Become a better chef with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Alice Waters, Gabriela Cámara, Niki Nakayama, Chef Thomas Keller, Gordon Ramsay, Yotam Ottolenghi, Dominique Ansel, and more.

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The fennel plant is a vegetable with a crisp texture and licorice flavor that can enhance many dishes, from salads to stews. Follow this guide to learn how to store fennel and elongate its shelf life.

The fennel plant is a vegetable with a crisp texture and licorice flavor that can enhance many dishes, from salads to stews. Follow this guide to learn how to store fennel and elongate its shelf life. 
