Missing the crisp crunch of celery in your kitchen creations? Worry no more because starting today, you’ll know which substitute for celery is best to use for your recipe!
Whether you’re concocting a hearty stew or tossing up a refreshing salad, these celery alternatives won’t make you compromise flavor. Explore alternatives that add a twist to your recipes. Join in and discover the tasty substitutes for celery that’ll make your kitchen adventures even more exciting.
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What is Celery?
Celery is perhaps one of the most common pantry staples out there. You might even have a whole head sitting in your refrigerator right now!
It’s part of the Apiaceae family, making it related to other vegetables like parsnips, carrots, celeriac, and parsley. Incredibly, while its stems are often used in recipes, every part of celery is edible — even its leaves.
Regularly making celery a part of your diet can provide you with many health benefits. It contains a plant compound known as apigenin, viewed as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent in traditional Chinese medicine. It’s also a good source of fiber, making it ideal for those who want to consume a high-fiber diet.
Additionally, celery has a high water content. Eating it can help fill you up quickly, which is why it’s a popular, low-calorie snack for those aiming to lose weight.
How do you use Celery in Cooking?
Celery is a versatile vegetable and ingredient in many recipes. This household staple infuses dishes with a crunchy texture and special flavor. Celery is used and most commonly added to:
- Soups and Stews
- Stocks
- Salads (such as this delicious Shredded Chicken Salad Recipe)
- Sandwiches
- Risottos
- Smoothies or Juices
- Thanksgiving Stuffing
Another extremely popular way of consuming celery is serving it alongside buffalo wings and eating the crunchy stalks raw! You can dip them in many types of dressing like ranch, hummus, peanut butter, or this Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip for an easy and delicious snack.
Alternatively, you can give celery a creative, seasonal twist – like making Celery Reindeer Snacks Festive Treat for the little ones to enjoy.
Why Would you Need a Substitute for Celery?
Lack of Availability
Since celery is so versatile, you might find yourself using it more often. And the next thing you know, you’ve just run out of it. That’s when the top celery substitutes will come in handy.
Health and Safety
Unfortunately, some people may find themselves allergic to celery, and any contact with the vegetable can cause symptoms like skin reddening, swelling, itching, and allergic rashes. If any of your loved ones are known to suffer an adverse reaction when consuming celery, then alternatives are necessary.
Taste
While many people love eating celery, some individuals might not be too fond of its earthy taste. To address this, you can use other celery alternatives that may suit their palate.
The Best Celery Substitutes
Cucumber
If you’re after the crunch that fresh celery gives your recipe, then choosing cucumber as a replacement can be a good choice. It has a milder flavor, too, so those who don’t like the taste of celery won’t object to finding this substitute in their food instead.
If eaten as a snack or an addition to sandwiches, salads, and smoothies, feel free to use a 1:1 ratio.
Radish
Just like cucumbers, radish can give your recipe the crunchiness that celery is known for. However, radish offers a slightly spicy, peppery twist, which can be a delightful replacement for celery in salads.
Use a 1:1 ratio when choosing radish as an alternative, though you may adjust the amount as appropriate, given its peppery taste.
Fennel
Fennel bulbs work fantastic for folks who suffer from celery allergy. They can provide both the texture and flavor that celery is well known for. They’re particularly good to use in cooked dishes like soups as their flavor mellows out nicely.
You can use about a cup of sliced fennel to replace the amount of celery in your recipe.
Green Apple
When added to salads or eaten raw as a snack, apples can work just as well as celery. After all, despite its sweetness, this alternative still offers the same quality crunch!
Just use the same amount of this alternative as the celery, but feel free to adjust the amount, given its different flavor profile.
Leeks
They might have a mild onion and garlic flavor, but leeks are a great substitute in place of celery whenever you’re in a bind. You can add leeks to cooked dishes such as soups, stocks, and stir-fried food.
Just use a 1:1 ratio of leeks in place of celery.
Jicama
With its slightly nutty, sweet flavor and crunchiness, this root vegetable right from Mexico works as a great celery substitute. It can be used in salads, blended in smoothies, or eaten raw as a snack similar to celery.
For this alternative, feel free to use a 1:1 ratio.
Water Chestnut
Just like most of the options on this list, water chestnuts give you the same crisp and crunch that celery is well-loved for. However, it also offers a mildly nutty, tarty taste that goes well with fresh salads, soups, and stir-fried food.
You can use an equal amount of water chestnuts in certain recipes that need celery.
Green Beans
If you have green beans on hand, you can easily use them to replace celery in soups, stews, and stir fry. They add a nice green color to your dishes, too.
Just use the same amount of chopped green beans in place of chopped celery.
Celery Seeds
If you don’t have celery, check your pantry for celery seeds, which can replace the fresh version.
Be mindful that these seeds carry a concentrated celery flavor, however. If you add this seasoning to your dishes, start with a small amount and adjust as necessary. This will help keep the taste from being too overpowering.
Carrots
Carrots make a fantastic substitute for celery for several reasons. Both vegetables share a satisfying crunch, which is ideal for dishes requiring texture. Additionally, carrots bring a touch of sweetness to a dish, adding a different flavor profile compared to celery’s mild and slightly bitter taste.
If used in stews and casseroles, you can use the same amount of carrots as you would celery. In salads and stir-fry dishes, adjust to your preference.
Bok Choy
Apart from its crisp texture, Bok Choy gives a mild, slightly peppery flavor, complementing a range of recipes that call for celery. This leafy green is highly versatile and can be used in salads, stir-fries, soups, and more, offering a unique twist to your dishes.
You can easily swap in Bok Choy stems as a crunchy celery sub in a 1:1 ratio when making stews, soups, and stocks.
Asparagus
It might not seem like it, but asparagus can work like a charm as a great substitute for celery. It provides a satisfying crunch that works well in salads, stir-fries, and other dishes where celery is commonly used. Asparagus is characterized by a mildly sweet and earthy taste, offering a distinct twist compared to the milder notes of celery.
Add the same amount of chopped asparagus to the stir fries, casseroles, and soups in need of celery.
How to Choose the Best Substitutes for Celery
Not sure if the alternative you have will go well with the dish you’re making? Consider the following:
- Salads and Snacks: Use cucumbers, Jicama, green apples, radish, water chestnut, and carrots as a swap for celery, considering they offer the same crunchiness and mild flavor as celery.
- Cooked Dishes like Soups, Stews, and Stir-Fries: Often, you won’t need any crunchy substitutes when cooking your dishes. If you’re after the distinct flavor of celery, opt to use a dash of celery seeds. Otherwise, fennel, leeks, green beans, Bok Choy, and asparagus will work well.
- Juices and Smoothies: Cucumbers, green apples, and jicama can make for a fantastic and healthy substitute for celery in juices or smoothies, thanks to their mild flavor. Use any of them for an added nutrient boost as well!
Frequently Asked Questions
You can safely store celery inside the refrigerator, which can last up to two weeks. If you wrap the celery stalks in foil, that will ensure they won’t easily lose moisture and turn limp.
Another option is to freeze celery. Rinse and chop it up before freezing it on a baking sheet; afterward, transfer to plastic bags and store in the freezer. This way, it will last for months.
If your celery begins showing signs of mold, has become mushy or slimy, or its color becomes dull and faded, those signs tell you to throw it out. That’s also when you must start looking for a celery substitute.
Yes! Regardless of where you bought it, washing thoroughly before you cook or eat it is very important. This way, you’ll remove any dirt, pesticide residue, or even insects that may otherwise be found in your celery.
Awesome Substitutes for Celery to use in a Pinch
Knowing the best substitute for celery is a must for every cook and kitchen enthusiast. So next time you run out, don’t fret. These 12 options can help you out in a jiffy.