Celery is a versatile vegetable that can be paired with many different foods and ingredients. In the opening paragraphs, we’ll provide quick answers to common questions about what goes well with celery.
What are the most popular foods to eat with celery?
Some of the most popular foods to eat with celery include:
- Peanut butter
- Ranch dressing
- Hummus
- Cheese spreads
- Nut butters like almond butter or cashew butter
- Dips like onion dip, spinach dip, or bean dip
Celery’s crunchy texture and mild flavor make it the perfect vehicle for creamy, savory dips and spreads. Peanut butter and celery sticks is a classic snack pairing. Hummus, ranch, cheese spreads, and nut butters all complement the freshness of celery.
What meals pair well with celery?
Celery can be incorporated into many different meals, including:
- Salads – Celery adds crunch to leafy green, chicken, tuna, egg, and pasta salads.
- Soups – Celery is commonly used in chicken noodle soup, vegetable soup, or potato soup.
- Stir fries – Thinly sliced celery is tasty in all kinds of Asian stir fries.
- Pasta dishes – Celery combines nicely with pasta ingredients like tomatoes, cheese, chicken, or seafood.
- Egg dishes – Diced celery can be added to scrambled eggs, omelets, frittatas, and stratas.
- Casseroles – Celery’s texture stands up well in cooked casserole dishes.
- Sandwiches – Celery adds crunch to tuna salad, egg salad, or chicken salad sandwiches.
Because it retains its crunchy texture well when cooked, celery can be used in a wide variety of savory dishes like casseroles, pastas, soups, and stir fries.
What are good celery snack ideas?
Here are some creative snack ideas using celery:
- Ants on a log – Spread peanut butter on celery stalks and top with raisins.
- Celery with hummus – Hummus comes in many flavors like roasted red pepper that pair nicely with celery.
- Celery sticks with cottage cheese – Top celery with cottage cheese and sprinkle with black pepper.
- Celery salad – Toss sliced celery with apples, walnuts, raisins, and dressing for a crunchy salad.
- Spicy celery sticks – Spread celery sticks with cream cheese mixed with hot sauce.
- Fruity celery bites – Stuff celery stalks with peanut butter and dot with dried fruit like cranberries.
- Cheesy celery canoes – Fill the inside of a celery stalk with cheese spread or mashed avocado.
Celery makes the perfect edible scoop for dips, spreads, cheeses and nut butters. Mixing in fruits, nuts and spices livens up basic celery stick snacks.
What are the health benefits of celery?
Some of the key nutrients and health benefits of celery include:
- Hydration – Celery is 95% water, making it very hydrating.
- Fiber – Celery provides soluble and insoluble fiber for gut and heart health.
- Antioxidants – Celery contains antioxidants like vitamin C, beta-carotene and flavonoids.
- Vitamin K – Needed for proper blood clotting, one stalk has about 10% DV.
- Folate – Important for cell function and tissue growth, one stalk has 3% DV.
- Potassium – Helps lower blood pressure by balancing electrolytes.
- Phytonutrients – Compounds that may help prevent disease.
With its high water and fiber content, celery promotes good digestion and hydration. The antioxidants help reduce inflammation and promote overall health.
What drinks pair well with celery?
Celery can be blended into many healthy drink recipes, including:
- Green smoothies – Blend celery with spinach, kale, avocado, banana, and milk or yogurt.
- Fresh juices – Juice celery with carrots, beets, apples, ginger, or greens for a nutrient boost.
- Bone broth – Simmer celery leaves and stalks with chicken or beef bones to make mineral-rich broth.
- Bloody Mary’s – Celery stalks are the perfect garnish and stir stick.
- Infused water – Add celery stalks and leaves to a pitcher of water for a subtle flavor.
- Celery soda – Blend celery with lemon, sugar and club soda for a refreshing drink.
Celery’s mild flavor blends seamlessly into smoothies and juices. It also makes a crunchy, savory garnish for cocktails like Bloody Mary’s.
What are the best ways to cook with celery?
Some tips for cooking with celery include:
- Chop or slice – Cut celery stalks into slices, sticks or diced pieces to eat raw or add to dishes.
- Saute – Quickly cooking sliced celery in oil or butter until tender but still crunchy.
- Roast – Roast celery stalks and leaves tossed in olive oil and spices at 400°F until browned.
- Stew or braise – Celery maintains its texture nicely in slower cooked stews, soups, and braises.
- Stir fry – Toss thin celery slices into a hot stir fry just until starting to soften.
- Juice or blend – Whirl celery into green juices and smoothies to boost nutrients.
- Use the leaves – Celery leaves have great flavor for seasoning stocks, soups, and stews.
Celery is very versatile – it can be eaten raw or cooked in almost any way imaginable. Quick cooking methods like sauteing, stir frying or juicing help retain its signature crunch.
What are the best celery varieties for cooking?
The most common types of celery include:
- Green celery – The regular celery found in most grocery stores. It has long, tender stalks with a delicate flavor.
- Pascal celery – A green heirloom celery variety that is extra crispy and flavorful.
- Golden celery – A yellow variety with thinner stalks and leaves. It has a peppery, herbal taste.
- Celeriac – Grown for its root rather than stalks. The knobby root has a rich, earthy flavor.
- Leaf celery – A type valued specifically for its leaves rather than stalks.
- Chinese celery – Much thinner stalks with intense, aromatic flavor. Used a lot in Asian cuisine.
For basic cooking, regular green celery is a great all-purpose choice. Celeriac, Chinese celery and leaf celery work well when specific parts of the plant are called for.
What are the best ways to store celery?
To get the longest shelf life from celery:
- Keep celery in the refrigerator crisper drawer, wrapped in plastic or in a sealed container.
- Mist the celery with water every few days and wrap loosely in aluminum foil to help retain moisture.
- Re-cut the ends every 4-5 days to refresh the celery.
- Use within 1-2 weeks for maximum freshness, before the stalks get limp.
- Do not wash before storing, only wash right before eating.
- Freeze extra celery by blanching stalks for 1-2 minutes then freezing.
Proper storage keeps celery crisp and hydrated. Mist the stalks and re-cut the ends to prolong its shelf life. Freeze any extra that won’t be eaten in time.
What are some tips for buying fresh celery?
When selecting fresh celery, look for:
- Firm, rigid stalks without visible blemishes or soft spots.
- Crunchy stalks that snap easily when bent.
- Compact, closed bundles rather than loose stalks.
- Fresh green leaves without signs of wilting or discoloration.
- Heavier stalks which tend to be more dense and tender.
- Organic options if desired.
The best celery will feel rigid and make a snapping sound when pulled apart. Gently squeeze stalks to check for soft spots. Avoid limp or flexible stalks.
| Celery Variety | Description | Best Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Green celery | Long, tender stalks with delicate flavor | Raw snacks, salads, cooking |
| Pascal celery | Heirloom type, very crispy and flavorful | Eating raw, juicing, sautéing |
| Golden celery | Yellow stalks with thinner leaves, peppery taste | Garnishes, salads, juices |
| Celeriac | Grown for knobby root, rich and earthy flavor | Mashed, soups, stews, roasting |
| Leaf celery | Valued specifically for the leaves and their flavor | Seasoning stocks, soups, stews |
| Chinese celery | Thinner stalks, intense aromatic flavor | Asian cuisine, stir fries, soups |
This table summarizes the key characteristics and best uses for different celery varieties.
What are some recipe ideas using celery?
Here are 10 tasty recipe ideas featuring celery:
1. Ants on a Log
A classic celery snack – spread peanut butter on stalks and top with raisins.
2. Roasted Celery Root Soup
Puree roasted celeriac and onions into a creamy, flavorful soup.
3. Crunchy Tuna Salad
Toss tuna with diced celery, onion, mayo and mustard for a protein-packed salad.
4. Cheesy Stuffed Celery Sticks
Fill celery stalks with creamy mashed avocado, feta and hot sauce for a spicy bite.
5. Thai Chicken and Celery Stir Fry
Quickly stir fry chicken, celery and carrots in a Thai peanut sauce.
6. Celery Leaf Pesto
Blend celery leaves with walnuts, parmesan, olive oil and garlic for a zesty pesto sauce.
7. Veggie Juice with Celery
Juice celery with kale, cucumber, lemon and ginger for a refreshing, nourishing beverage.
8. Celery Leaf Hummus
Amp up store-bought hummus by blending in fresh celery leaves.
9. Chicken Noodle Soup with Celery
Simmer diced celery in chicken broth with noodles, chicken and vegetables.
10. Old Bay and Celery Roasted Shrimp
Roast shrimp tossed in butter, Old Bay seasoning and chopped celery.
With its versatile flavor and crunchy texture, celery can be used in everything from classic salads and snacks to soups, stir fries, and much more.
Conclusion
Celery is a remarkably versatile vegetable that pairs deliciously with countless ingredients and dishes. Its satisfying crunch and refreshing flavor make it a favorite choice for snacking, salads, juices, and beyond. When stored and handled properly, celery retains maximum freshness and crispness. Selecting vibrant, rigid stalks will ensure celery that adds its signature texture and taste to any meal or snack. With so many ways to enjoy it, celery is truly one of the most useful vegetables to always have on hand.