14 Best Celery Root Substitutes That You Can Try

I am guessing the best celery root substitutes are why you are here. If there is any vegetable that looks bland but has a great flavor, it is celery root. Also known as celeriac, celery root is an incredibly versatile yet underrated ingredient that can be used in multiple recipes.

But what if it is a Sunday morning and you are too lazy to go to the store? You can’t miss the making of spiced pork with celery root puree just because it is unavailable, right? The game must go on, and that is what we are going to deal with today; the best substitutes for celery root! Some of the best celery root substitutes are parsley root, parsnip, celery seeds, celery salt, turnips, and carrots.

Celery root is a versatile vegetable used to make stews, salads, and mashes. It is your go-to best buddy if you are on a low-carb or Keto diet, which is trendy. It is not the same as celery, contrary to popular assumption. So, what can be done if you are out of celery root? Read this article to learn more about celery roots, their uses, and the best substitutes. 

Quick Peek: Celery Root

The following scribbles tell you what celery root is, its flavor, texture, culinary uses, and health benefits.

What Is Celery Root?

Let’s get started with the names first. Celery root is also known as celeriac, knob celery, and turnip-rooted celery. It hails from the parsley family and can be called the cousin of parsnips, carrots, and celery.

Cousin of celery? Yes. Celery root isn’t the same as the crunchy celery stalks that you have seen in the grocery store. They belong to the same but are fundamentally different in texture and their culinary uses. Celery root is a variety of celery with an underground tuber-like that of a potato. While celery sticks out of the plant at the top portion, celery root is the root that is pulled out for harvesting. 

Describing Celery Root: Flavor and Texture

Celery and celery root are different when it comes to flavor and texture. Celery root tastes similar to celery, but it has a more intense, earthy, nutty flavor. You may use them interchangeably but surely you will notice the difference.

Uses of Celery Root

Agreed that celery root is an unusual vegetable, but that doesn’t mean it is devoid of culinary uses and nutritional values. You can simply grate it into salads for a dense flavor. It can be used to add to the classic Middle Eastern dish hummus using any vegetable. 

Celery root can be pureed or mashed to prepare a thick, creamy, delicious soup. For a fantastic snack option, chop off these roots into small slices, bake them and use them as a good replacement for potato chips.

Celery Root On The Health Radar | Looking Through The Wellness Telescope

Coming to its nutritional value, celery root is rich in essential nutrients and minerals such as Vitamin C and Vitamin K. It is great in reducing the risk of diabetes and enhancing bone health. 

Why Should We Substitute Celery Root?

Celery root is a versatile ingredient with good culinary uses and health benefits. Although it is not a celebrated vegetable, those who know about it can never leave it. You might be easily out of it, or the grocery stores might be. This necessitates the need to find the best celery root substitutes.

Some of us or those familiar to us might be suffering from celery allergy, which means it is a strict no to celery-related food items. This also forces you to seek alternatives for celery root. These alternatives can help you achieve a flavor close to celery root without actually using it. So, shall we discuss the best substitutes for celery root?

Other Food Substitutes You Can Try

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14 Best Celery Root Substitutes 

Now that you know everything you need to know about celery root let us discuss the fourteen best substitutes for celery root.

1. Parsley Root

Parsley root is what you think it is; the root of parsley. It is also known as Hamburg parsley, rooted parsley, and turnip-rooted parsley. Raw parsley root has a firm, delicate texture. 

Once cooked, it has a smooth, velvety texture. It is rich in aroma with a fragrance similar to that of celery. To substitute celery root with parsley root in your recipes, you can add celery seeds or celery salt.

2. Parsnip

A member of the parsley family, parsnip is a carrot-shaped root vegetable with a sweet flavor. It has a delicate texture with a rich, herbal aroma. It helps boost the functioning of the heart, regulate blood pressure, and reduce the risk of kidney stones.

Parsnip tastes similar to celery root, making it a good celery root substitute. In fact, it tastes sweeter than celery root. So be mindful of the sugar you add to your recipes.

3. Celery Seeds

Celery seeds are derived from wild celery, also known as smallage. They are one of the healthy spices used in salads and dressings. These seeds are quite small in size, similar to poppy seeds. They have an intense earthy flavor and a mild, bitter taste as well. 

If you are aspiring for the flavor of celery root in a substitute, celery seeds are one of the best substitutes for celery root. They may not work well if you wish for a thick consistency of celery root.

4. Celery Salt

Celery salt is a type of salt made by mixing ground celery seeds with table salt. It tastes very similar to table salt, except that it has a subtle hint of spiciness. It has an earthy flavor with a mild bitter finish.

Celery salt can be a considerable substitute for celery root for the earthy flavor it has. However, for an even more close flavor to celery root, you might have to consider other alternatives.

5. Turnip

Behold the creamy-colored root vegetable with an attractive purple crown; the turnip. Turnip is a root vegetable with a crisp and crunchy texture. This versatile vegetable has a sweet flavor while its leaves are spicy. 

For the similarity in sweetness, turnips can be easily used as a celery root substitute. While cooking, turnips also lose their crunchy texture, similar to celery root. That means you have to keep a watch to get the desired texture while using turnips.

6. Carrot

Another great, versatile, tasty, and super healthy alternative for celery root is carrot. It has a crunchy texture and renders a sweet flavor when cooked in recipes. It is packed with vitamin A and beta-carotene, which is beneficial in lowering diabetes and strengthening bones.

If you don’t mind its orange color in your recipe, readily go with carrots instead of celery root. For an authentic taste of celery root, add a bit of celery salt or seeds alongside carrot.

7. Chopped Celery

Celery and celery roots belong to the same plant, but now we know there are differences between the two. Celery has long, tender, juicy stalks with an earthy, salty flavor. 

Chopped celery can work as a good, mild celery root substitute due to the earthy flavor. Since celery has a thin consistency, you might have to add a thickening agent while using it as a replacement for celery root. 

8. Jicama

Mexican turnip, or Mexican yam bean or simply Jicama, is another root vegetable with brown skin and succulent, crispy flesh. It has a mildly sweet and nutty flavor that can be thought of as a hybrid of potato and pear.

Jicama has a low glycemic index and calorie content. Jicama is the best alternative for celery root in the case of salads due to the similarity in texture. 

9. Daikon Radish

Japanese radish, or Daikon radish is a variety of radish with long roots (Daikon means ‘big root’ in Japanese). Daikon is one of the most consumed vegetables in Japan and is a major ingredient in Asian cuisine. It has a sweet flavor with undertones of spiciness and a crunchy texture.

When added with celery, Daikon radish can simulate the original flavor of celery root in your recipes while using it as a substitute. For best results, you may add Daikon at the end of your cooking process so as to retain its texture.

10. Fennel Bulb

A unique carrot family member, the fennel bulb is not a root vegetable but a plant that has a crisp bulb and fluffy leaves. It has a sweet flavor profile similar to that of licorice. Due to this flavor profile, fennel bulbs can easily be a substitute for celery root in soups and salads. However, you may want to take care of the time you take to cook. Fennel bulbs cook faster, unlike celery roots.

11. Potatoes

Potatoes are starchy vegetables that fall into the category of tubers. They have an earthy, savory flavor and a starchy, creamy texture when cooked. Potatoes are loaded with potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6 and are rich in fiber. Celery root can be substituted with potatoes due to their similar earthy flavor. Additionally, potatoes give you a nice umami flavor as well.

12. Butternut Squash

Butternut squash is one of the commonly found varieties of winter squash. It has a sweet, nutty flavor and a firm, moist texture. It is loaded with vitamin A, potassium, and fiber. The taste of butternut squash can be said to be a cross between sweet potato and pumpkin.

Butternut squash can be used instead of celery root for its mildly sweet flavor. But for a flavor close to that of celery root, you will have to use it with celery salt or celery leaves.

13. Rutabaga

Rutabaga is a root vegetable that is a hybrid of turnip and cabbage. It is also known as Swede or Swedish turnip. In appearance and flavor, rutabaga looks like a turnip. It has a sweet flavor with a mild bitter finish.

It also has a firm texture. Rutabaga is a good celery root substitute for its mildly sweet flavor. It also renders a yummy butter flavor with subtle spiciness in your recipes.

14. Kohlrabi

Also known as German turnip, kohlrabi is a cruciferous vegetable that falls in the line of cabbage, broccoli, and kale. Coming from the cabbage family, kohlrabi has a sweet and peppery flavor. The taste is similar to broccoli and cabbage, and it has a crunchy texture.

Kohlrabi is a considerable substitute for celery root due to its texture. Cooked kohlrabi renders a sweetness that is akin to celery root. Although several varieties of kohlrabi are available, their taste remains the same.

Short Recap For Best Celery Root Substitutes

That must have been an exhaustive read on the best celery root substitutes, right? Let me make it easy for you to remember the details on how you can substitute celery root.

In Soups: The best celery root substitutes in soups are parsnips and carrots.

In Salads: The best celery root substitutes in salads are Jicama, Daikon radish, and chopped celery.

In Sauce: The best celery root substitutes in sauces are parsley root and turnips.

In Stews and Other Dishes: The best celery root substitutes in stews and other dishes are fennel bulb, potato, butternut squash, rutabaga, and kohlrabi.

How To Substitute The Above Mentioned Ingredients For Celery Root

Celery Root Substitutes

Here is how you can substitute the above mentioned ingredients for celery root.

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Ingredients

  

• Parsley Root
• Parsnip
• Celery Seeds
• Celery Salt
• Turnip
• Carrot
• Chopped Celery
• Jicama
• Daikon Radish
• Fennel Bulb
• Potatoes
• Butternut Squash
• Rutabaga
• Kohlrabi

Instructions

 

• Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe
• Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
• Use the substitute in the required amount and proceed to make the dish according to the recipe.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 Final Musings

I am a huge fan of celery root, and the same reason propelled me to find the best celery root substitutes. Each of them can be very good at brightening your recipes. However, choose a substitute that caters perfectly to your demands and let me know what worked out for the best. See you then!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)