15 Best Celery Recipes: From Soup to Salad & Beyond

Discover 15 delicious celery recipes that transform this humble vegetable into weeknight heroes and meal prep staples. Get precise prep times, nutritional benefits, and chef-tested techniques to maximize flavor in every dish—from creamy soups to vibrant salads and beyond.

Stop relegating celery to the back of your crisper drawer. This versatile vegetable delivers surprising depth to soups, salads, and stir-fries while packing serious nutritional benefits. Our curated collection features 15 chef-approved recipes that showcase celery's full potential, complete with practical modifications for dietary needs and storage hacks to extend freshness.

Why Celery Deserves Your Culinary Attention

Celery isn't just a crunchy snack—it's a flavor foundation. Professional kitchens rely on its aromatic compounds to build flavor bases, while home cooks often overlook its transformative potential. According to USDA nutritional data, one cup of chopped celery provides 30% of your daily vitamin K needs and contains apigenin, a compound studied for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Nutrient	Per 1 Cup (101g)	Daily Value %
Calories	16	1%
Vitamin K	32.6mcg	30%
Vitamin A	449IU	9%
Potassium	260mg	7%

Source: USDA FoodData Central, https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/

Weeknight Solutions: 20 Minutes or Less

When dinner needs to happen now, these streamlined recipes leverage celery's natural crunch and flavor to create satisfying meals without complicated techniques.

Celery & Apple Salad with Maple Vinaigrette

Active time: 15 minutes | Servings: 4

• 3 cups thinly sliced celery
• 1 crisp apple (Honeycrisp recommended), julienned
• 1/4 cup toasted walnuts
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method: Whisk lemon juice, maple syrup, and mustard. Toss with celery and apple. Season, then top with walnuts. Pro tip: Add celery leaves for extra herbal notes.

Speedy Celery Stir-Fry

Active time: 18 minutes | Servings: 2

Thinly slice 2 celery stalks on diagonal. Heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in wok, add celery and 1 sliced bell pepper. Stir-fry 3 minutes. Add 1 cup cooked shrimp or tofu and 2 tbsp teriyaki sauce. Cook 2 more minutes. Serve over rice.

Meal Prep Favorites: Batch-Friendly Options

These recipes shine when made ahead, with celery's structure holding up beautifully through refrigeration. The University of Minnesota Extension confirms celery maintains crispness for 2-3 weeks when stored properly in water-filled containers.

Creamy Celery Soup (Makes 4 servings)

Sauté 4 chopped celery stalks and 1 diced onion in 2 tbsp butter until soft. Add 3 cups vegetable broth and simmer 15 minutes. Blend until smooth, then stir in 1/2 cup Greek yogurt. Storage tip: Keeps refrigerated for 4 days or frozen for 2 months.

Celery & Quinoa Power Bowls

Cook 1 cup quinoa. Mix with 2 cups diced celery, 1 can chickpeas (rinsed), and 1/4 cup dried cranberries. Dress with lemon-tahini sauce (2 tbsp tahini + juice of 1 lemon + 2 tbsp water). Portion into containers for grab-and-go lunches.

Creative Transformations: Beyond the Ordinary

Professional chefs treat celery as more than filler—they extract its nuanced flavors through specific techniques. Food science research shows that roasting celery at 400°F (204°C) for 25 minutes develops complex caramelized notes while preserving crunch.

Roasted Celery with Gremolata

Toss 6 celery stalks (cut into 3-inch pieces) with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F until tender-crisp (25 minutes). Top with gremolata (1 tbsp minced parsley, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 minced garlic clove).

Celery Leaf Pesto

Don't discard those leaves! Blend 2 cups celery leaves, 1/2 cup basil, 1/3 cup pine nuts, 1 garlic clove, and 1/2 cup olive oil until smooth. Toss with pasta or use as sandwich spread.

Classic Preparations Done Right

Master these foundational techniques to build confidence with celery in any recipe. Culinary research shows that blanching celery for 2 minutes before adding to salads preserves crunch while mellowing its raw edge.

Perfect Waldorf Salad

Combine 2 cups diced celery, 2 diced apples, 1/2 cup toasted pecans, and 1/4 cup raisins. Toss with dressing (1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp honey). Chill 1 hour before serving.

Celery in Mirepoix (The Flavor Foundation)

Dice 2 parts onion, 1 part celery, and 1 part carrot equally. Sauté in butter until translucent (8-10 minutes). Use as base for soups, stews, and sauces. Freezes well for future use.

Maximizing Your Celery Experience

Follow these evidence-based storage methods to extend freshness:

• Refrigeration: Store whole stalks upright in water-filled container (lasts 3-4 weeks)
• Freezing: Blanch sliced celery 2 minutes, then freeze for soups (keeps 8 months)
• Reviving: Soak limp celery in ice water for 1 hour to restore crispness

When selecting celery, choose stalks with vibrant green leaves and firm ribs without cracks. The National Center for Home Food Preservation confirms that proper storage prevents moisture loss and maintains texture.

Can I substitute celery in recipes if I don't have it?

Yes, fennel bulb provides similar crunch with anise notes, while bok choy stems work well in stir-fries. For mirepoix, increase carrots and onions by 25% to compensate for missing celery flavor.

Why does my celery soup turn brown when stored?

Celery contains polyphenol oxidase enzymes that cause browning when exposed to air. Prevent this by adding 1 tbsp lemon juice to the soup before storing, which inhibits the enzymatic reaction.

How do I prevent celery from becoming stringy when cooked?

Remove the fibrous outer strings with a vegetable peeler before cooking. For soups and stews, cut celery on a diagonal to expose more surface area, which helps it cook more evenly without becoming stringy.

Are celery leaves edible and nutritious?

Yes, celery leaves contain twice the vitamin C and calcium of the stalks. Chop finely and use as herb in salads, soups, or as garnish. They freeze well for future use in stocks.