Best Fennel Juice Recipe

If you ask me, fennel juice is one of those hidden gems in the world of fresh drinks.

This simple, refreshing beverage brings together the cool, crisp taste of raw fennel with a hint of natural sweetness. The light, anise-like flavor makes it different from your usual juice options.

It’s made by blending fresh fennel bulbs with green apple and a squeeze of lemon to balance things out. A quick strain through a fine-mesh sieve gives you that perfect, smooth texture.

It’s a nice change of pace from regular juices, and it’s especially good when you want something light and fresh on a warm afternoon.

What Kind of Fennel Should I Use?

For juicing, you’ll want to look for fresh fennel bulbs that are clean, white, and firm to the touch with no soft or brown spots. The most common type you’ll find at the grocery store is Florence fennel (also called finocchio), which has a broad, bulbous base – this is perfect for juicing. When shopping, pick bulbs that feel heavy for their size and have fresh-looking fronds still attached, though we won’t be using the fronds in this juice. You can use the smaller or larger bulbs for this recipe, but keep in mind that smaller ones tend to have a milder, sweeter flavor while larger bulbs can be more intensely flavored with that signature licorice-like taste.

Options for Substitutions

While this juice recipe is pretty straightforward, here are some helpful swaps if you need them:

• Fennel bulb: Fennel is the star ingredient here and gives this juice its unique flavor, so I wouldn’t recommend substituting it. However, if you absolutely must, you could use celery stalks plus a tiny pinch of anise seeds, though the flavor profile will be quite different.
• Green apple: Any apple variety works here – red apples will make it slightly sweeter. You could also use a ripe pear instead, which will give a similar sweetness and texture to the juice.
• Lemon: You can swap the lemon with a lime or even half an orange. If using orange, you might want to reduce the amount since it’s sweeter than lemon.
• Ginger: Fresh ginger is best, but in a pinch, you can use ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger. You could also try fresh turmeric root for a different spin on the recipe.
• Water: If you’re using a juicer instead of a blender, you can skip the water completely. For blender users, coconut water can be used instead of plain water for added nutrients.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Juicing

The biggest mistake when making fennel juice is not properly cleaning the fennel bulb, as dirt can hide between the layers – make sure to slice the bulb in half and rinse thoroughly between each layer. When it comes to the ginger, leaving the skin on can make your juice bitter and gritty, so take an extra minute to peel it with the back of a spoon. If you’re using a blender instead of a juicer, don’t skip straining the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth, as this step removes unwanted pulp and creates a smoother drinking experience. For maximum freshness and nutrient retention, drink the juice within 24 hours and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator – the juice can quickly oxidize and lose both flavor and nutrients when left exposed to air.

What to Serve With Fennel Juice?

This fresh and zingy fennel juice makes a great morning or afternoon drink that pairs really well with light breakfast foods or healthy snacks. Try serving it alongside some whole grain toast with almond butter, or pair it with a small bowl of Greek yogurt topped with honey and granola. Since this juice has such clean, refreshing flavors, it’s also perfect with simple breakfast proteins like hard-boiled eggs or a small cheese and fruit plate. For an afternoon pick-me-up, serve it with some raw nuts or a handful of dried fruits to make a satisfying healthy snack combo.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Pour your freshly made fennel juice into an airtight glass bottle or mason jar and keep it in the fridge. It’s best to drink it within 24-48 hours to enjoy the freshest taste and get the most nutrients. Give it a good shake before drinking as some natural separation might occur.

Prep Ahead: To save time in the morning, you can wash and cut the fennel, apple, and ginger the night before. Store these prepped ingredients in an airtight container in the fridge, but wait to juice them until you’re ready to drink. This way, you’ll get the freshest juice possible!

Quick Tip: While it’s tempting to make a big batch, fresh juice is really best when consumed right away. If you need to store it, fill your container to the very top to minimize exposure to air, which can affect the taste and nutrients.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	5-10 minutes
Total Time	15-25 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 150-180
• Protein: 2-3 g
• Fat: 0-1 g
• Carbohydrates: 35-40 g

Ingredients

• 1 fennel bulb
• 1 cored green apple
• 1 peeled lemon
• 1 ½-inch chunk of fresh ginger
• 1 cup water (for use with a blender or food processor)

Step 1: Prepare the Produce

Begin by thoroughly washing all your produce to remove any dirt or residues.

For the fennel, slice off the stalks and fronds and remove the root end, keeping just the bulb.

Core the green apple and peel the lemon to remove the bitter outer skin.

Step 2: Slice and Chop

Slice the fennel, green apple, lemon, and a thumb-sized piece of ginger into large chunks.

Make sure these pieces are small enough to fit through the feeding tube of your juicer.

If you are using a blender or food processor, cut the chunks slightly smaller to aid in blending.

Step 3: Juice or Blend

If using a juicer, run all the prepared ingredients through it, capturing the juice in a pitcher.

For a blender or food processor, add the fennel, green apple, lemon, ginger, and a small amount of water to the base.

Blend or process on the highest setting for 20-30 seconds or until the mixture is smooth.

Step 4: Strain the Juice

Pour the blended mixture through a nut milk bag or a fine cheesecloth.

Carefully squeeze the bag or cloth from the top down to gently drain the juice into a pitcher.

Discard the remaining pulp, or save it for another recipe if you’re able to use it.

Step 5: Serve Immediately

Your fresh and tangy Fennel Juice is now ready to be enjoyed.

Serve it immediately to enjoy the full range of flavors and health benefits.

Cheers to a refreshing drink!