You are looking for the best celery substitutes, aren’t you? You might be making a salad and missing some good old, crunchy celery. Nothing to worry about here! Today, I will tell you all about some of the best substitutes for celery out there. So, hold onto your kitchen counter and get ready for a crunchy ride into the celery world!
Some of the best celery substitutes are fennel, green onion, bok choy, cucumber, jicama, and leeks. Celery is an easily and globally available vegetable. It belongs to the Apiaceae family, including other vegetables such as carrots, parsley, etc. It’s best known for its crunch. Almost every part of celery can be utilized for cooking, even the seeds.
Celery is like a personal cheerleader of salads. Salads feel incomplete without it, and the whole thing ends up boring. That is why it is a case of urgency when you run out of celery. In this article, we will discuss the various uses and some of the best substitutes for celery. So, let’s get down to it!
Celery In The Culinary World
Coming from the parsley family, celery is a herbaceous plant closely related to parsley, parsnips, and carrots. It has long fibrous stalks which diverge into a bunch of leaves at the tops. Celery has a mild, sweet flavor with a strong herbal aroma. Its flavor can remind you of green onions. About its texture, it is crunchy and watery. The stalks of celery are dipped in sauces, dressings, and yogurt. It can be consumed raw or cooked.
As everyone already knows, celery is popular for its crunchiness. Lately, it’s become a staple in a lot of homes. It is mostly used for its stalks. Celery stalks are crunchy and a bit salty. The whole of it is fibrous, crunchy, and has high water content.
Uses of Celery
Celery can be used for almost anything when it comes to cooking. From the leaves to the stalk, it is fully edible. It has a distinct taste and is commonly used in salads. It pairs well with any meat like chicken, tuna, etc. It can be used as a filling in sandwiches and gives it a pleasing taste and texture.
Another very popular use for celery is that it is used in forming the base for most soups, braises, etc. It is also a part of the “holy trinity,” which consists of onions and bell peppers beside celery. In French cooking, it is a part of “Mirepoix,” which has carrots and onions in it besides celery.
Celery on The Health Radar | Looking Through The Wellness Telescope
Not only that but there are a lot of health benefits to celery. It is extremely rich in fiber and potassium. It contains a great amount of vitamin A, C, and K. Being rich in antioxidants, celery helps in better digestion. Other health benefits of celery include reducing inflammation, maintaining blood pressure levels, etc.
Why Should We Substitute Celery?
Running out of celery means running out of an essential and versatile ingredient that must be substituted. That is where the need for the best celery substitutes comes in. These substitutes will help you when you are out of time to go to the store or too lazy!
The best substitutes for celery are also extremely beneficial if you are a person suffering from an allergy to celery. Common celery allergy symptoms include an itchy mouth or throat and nettle rash. So, shall we talk about the best celery substitutes right away?
Other Food Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Celery Root Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Celery Salt Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Celery Seeds Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Green Pepper Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Mushrooms Substitute You Can Try
- Best Onion Powder Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Horseradish Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Vidalia Onion Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Water Chestnut Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Turnip Substitutes You Can Try
16 Best Celery Substitutes
I know you really don’t want to go ahead with your recipe without celery but don’t rush to make a decision just yet. Read all about the best substitutes for celery and then incorporate any of them into your recipe.
1. Fennel
Fennel comes first in the list of the best substitutes for celery. It is extremely similar to celery in both flavor and texture. It has a stronger flavor than celery and tastes a bit like licorice. Fennel develops a mellow flavor after cooking and tastes a lot like celery; thus, fennel has become one of the best celery substitutes. It works best when replaced with celery in soups, stews, etc.
2. Green Onion
Green onions also go by the names; spring onions and scallions. Just like celery, they are a major component of many salads. They can be consumed both ways; cooked and raw. These have a rich flavor with subtle hints of spiciness.
Green onions are mild in flavor, and the whole of them can be used to prepare salads and sauces, making them a good celery substitute. Here’s the recipe for carrot top pesto made with green onions for you.
3. Bok Choy
Bok choy, also known to many as “Chinese Cabbage,” is a major ingredient in Asian cuisine. Bok choy leaves are tender and have a mildly bitter taste. The stalks of bok choy are crunchy and have a flavor similar to that of celery, thus making them a considerable substitute for celery. It is rich in fiber and works best in salads, stir-fries, etc.
4. Cucumber
Almost everybody thinks of the word “crunch” when cucumbers are mentioned. Being a major crunch provider, cucumber is one of the best substitutes for celery. It has a mild flavor and is watery, the same as celery.
Cucumber is a healthy vegetable packed with antioxidants and vital nutrients. It is best in treating dehydration issues and aids with weight loss. Cucumber works best as a substitute for celery when used in salads, smoothies, etc.
5. Jicama
Jicama is a root vegetable and is golden-brown on the outside. On the inside, it is white and starchy. It has a certain sweetness to it, along with a nutty flavor. Since jicama has high water content and is also crunchy like celery, it becomes a considerable celery substitute.
Jicama is rich in vitamin C, folate, potassium, and magnesium and low in calories. You can either have it as a stand-alone snack or use it in salads, smoothies, etc.
6. Leek
Leeks are an amazing substitute for celery as it has a bit of an onion-like flavor and is also related to it. The onion flavor isn’t too strong. In fact, it is mild and is on the sweeter side. Leeks can also be cooked as a stand-alone vegetable. They work as a great substitute for celery in soups, stocks, etc. They are extremely rich in heart-healthy compounds, which reduce inflammation, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
7. Radish
Radish is a root vegetable with crispy flesh and a piquant flavor. It is available in many colors. It is a crunchy accompaniment to salads. It has less starch content when compared to other root vegetables such as potatoes and parsnips.
Radishes make a befitting substitute for celery when its crunchiness must be replaced. It also has a mild flavor somewhat similar to celery but is a bit on the peppery side—these work best in salads and when eaten alone as snacks.
8. Water Chestnut
The water chestnut is an aquatic, edible tuber, also known as the Chinese water chestnut. It grows on the edge of the water. Even though water chestnut refers to the whole plant, its corm is the edible part of the vegetable. These corms have a sweet, fruity flavor and a crunchy texture.
Water chestnuts can be used as a celery substitute, mainly due to their crunchy texture. They are great in stir-fries, salads, and soups. They are extremely helpful when it comes to reducing chronic conditions since they are full of antioxidants.
9. Celery Seeds
Obtained from a plant called smallage, celery seeds are basic spices. These are not the same as celery, whose substitutes we are talking about. These are tiny in size, similar to poppy seeds. These have an intense, earthy flavor with a mild spiciness. The mild, earthy flavor of celery seeds makes them a good celery substitute. Using celery seeds in place of celery will ensure that they don’t dominate the overall flavor of your recipe.
10. Celeriac
Celeriac is also known as celery root, knob-celery, or turnip-rooted celery. It is not to be confused with celery stalks. Celeriac is a type of celery with an underground tuber similar to a potato. Celeriac and celery mostly taste the same but celeriac has a much more intense, earthy flavor and can be a worthy substitute for celery. It has to be sliced and used due to its bold flavor. It can be used in soups and stews instead of celery.
11. Celery Salt
Celery salt is simply salt added to ground celery seeds. It tastes similar to table salt except for the fact that it has a mild peppery flavor. It has an intense flavor and is used in salads and many seasoning mixtures.
Celery salt is a considerable substitute for celery due to its similar flavor. But, you have to be mindful of its bold, concentrated flavor while adding. Also, you will have to be careful about the total amount of salt you use in your recipe.
12. Carrot
Carrot is a healthy, tasty, and crunchy root vegetable. It renders a sweet flavor when cooked. It is replete with Vitamin A and beta carotene, which helps lessen diabetes and enhance the strength of bones. Carrots are unique for their vibrant orange color. If you don’t mind a little of that, carrots, with their mild flavor and crunchy texture, can be used to substitute for celery. They can be used in stews, soups, salads, and stocks.
13. Green Beans
Also known as string beans, French beans, or snap beans, green beans are unripe fruits of the common bean. There are over 130 available varieties of green beans. Green beans are not the same as beans. Green beans are a type of legumes since their fruits are in a pod.
Green beans have an earthy flavor and a crisp texture making them considerable substitutes for celery. They are great snacks and can also be used in stir-fries, salads, soups, and stews.
14. Green Bell Pepper
Green bell pepper is a type of bell pepper with a slightly spicy and grassy flavor. It is the youngest unripe pepper among other bell peppers. It is well known for its crunchy texture. Green bell peppers have a blend of sweet and spicy flavors, making them good substitutes for celery. Being a part of the holy trinity, they work well as replacements for celery. These can be sauteed, cooked, grilled, or fried.
15. Broccoli
Broccoli is a kind of cruciferous vegetable coming from the family of cabbages. It has a bulbous head, leaves, and stalks, all of which are fit for consumption. It has a sweet, vegetal flavor and a soft, firm texture. Broccoli is a worthy alternative to celery due to its mild flavor and crunchy texture. It benefits health by reducing inflammation, enhancing heart health, controlling blood sugar, and improving immunity.
16. Cabbage
Cabbage is a leafy vegetable that comes from the family of broccoli, kale, and cauliflower. There are different types of cabbage, and hence they vary in flavors. Mostly, they have a sweet flavor and a slightly peppery finish. Cabbages have a dense, crunchy texture and a sweet flavor making them worthy substitutes for celery. They are loaded with nutrients and help boost digestion and lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
Short Recap Of Best Celery Substitutes
That must have been an exhaustive read on the best celery substitutes, right? Let me make it easy for you to remember the details with the help of some points.
Best Celery Substitutes In Terms Of Flavor and Texture-
- Fennel
- Green Onion
- Bok Choy
- Cucumber
- Jicama
Final Musings
Celery is quite an underrated vegetable and needs to be valued more (Not an attention seeker, I promise!) It has a great refreshing flavor and texture to it. Finding the right substitutes for celery isn’t too hard and whenever you’re looking for one, be sure to look it up on the list provided above.
Let me know how much you loved this article in the comments below. I’ll be back with more substitutes for the ingredients you’re missing in the next article. Ciao!
How To Use Celery Substitutes In A Recipe
Celery Substitutes
Ingredients
- Fennel
- Green Onion
- Bok Choy
- Cucumber
- Jicama
- Leek
- Radish
- Water Chestnut
- Celery Seeds
- Celeriac
- Celery Salt
- Carrot
- Green Beans
- Green Bell Pepper
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the substitute for celery in potato salad?
Green apples, cucumber, water chestnuts, bok choy or jicama are good substitutes for celery in potato salad.
What do you call a mix of carrots, celery and onions?
A mix of carrots, celery and onions is called French mirepoix.
What is the substitute for celery in chicken soup?
Chopped carrots are good substitutes for celery in chicken soup.
What is the substitute for celery in bolognese?
Celery can be substituted with fennel, white onions, carrots and shallots in bolognese.
What is the substitute for celery in pasta sauce?
Carrots, fennel and radish are good substitutes for celery in pasta sauce.
What is the substitute for celery leaves?
Chopped kale or collard greens are good substitutes for celery leaves.
What do celery leaves taste like?
Celery leaves have an anise flavor.
