Suitable Substitute for Fennel Seeds.

[Wannabe Guy]

I'm preparing a potato-crusted halibut receipe that calls for fennel seeds, which I don't have. Any suggestions for a substitute?

[Janet H]

Fennel has a slightly liquorish flavor and so it may be tough to find a substitute but... depending on your recipe you might be able to use cumin seeds instead. It would substantially change the flavor profile of your dish but cold be interesting. Does the fennel go into the crust? or?

[Mama]

Well, unless you have anise seed or licorice root, I can't think of anything else that would replace that licorice taste so I would probably just omit it.

[Rocklobster]

From the Anise family. You could use star anise, which is probably harder to find than fennel. Zambucca

[NoraC]

I think folks have hit the likely substitutes; what other spices or herbs are in the crust? If fennel is the only one, I would replace it with mustard or horseradish; if it was in a tango with oregano and garlic, I might use some lemon zest, but definitely not mustard, LOL.

[CWS4322]

French tarragon also has a similar flavor.