Fennel Bulb vs Onion

A side-by-side guide to substituting Onion for Fennel Bulb (or vice versa).

Quick answer

Use 0.7 lb of Onion for every 1 lb of Fennel Bulb.

Side-by-side

Fennel Bulb

Base unit: lb

Read the full guide: Fennel Bulb

Onion

Conversion: Use 70% as much (0.7 lb per 1 lb)

Tags: budget

Notes: Milder than fennel, no anise notes. Use 30% less to avoid overpowering; best in cooked applications.

Read the full guide: Onion

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When to use Onion instead of Fennel Bulb

Milder than fennel, no anise notes. Use 30% less to avoid overpowering; best in cooked applications. The conversion is use 70% as much (0.7 lb per 1 lb).

Common questions

Can I substitute Onion for Fennel Bulb?

Yes — Milder than fennel, no anise notes. Use 30% less to avoid overpowering; best in cooked applications. Ratio: Use 70% as much (0.7 lb per 1 lb).

What's the conversion ratio for Fennel Bulb to Onion?

Use 70% as much (0.7 lb per 1 lb). For other quantities, use the SubSwap calculator.

Are Fennel Bulb and Onion interchangeable?

They are similar in most uses, but Milder than fennel, no anise notes..

Is Onion a better substitute than other options for Fennel Bulb?

Onion is one of the options SubSwap lists for Fennel Bulb. The 'best' choice depends on your recipe — see the full list of Fennel Bulb substitutes.

Looking for more Fennel Bulb substitutes beyond Onion?

See all Fennel Bulb swaps →