Celery is a common ingredient for salads, soups, and stews. But what happens if you don’t like celery, or you don’t have it on hand? Here are the best substitutes for fresh celery.

Sliced and chopped bowl of celery on white surface.
Contents hide
1 Overview of Celery
2 Best Substitutes for Celery
3 More Best Substitute Articles
4 Don’t Miss These Yummy Recipes Using Celery
5 Conclusions

Overview of Celery

What it tastes like

Celery is a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes. It has a crisp, crunchy texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Celery can be eaten raw, cooked, or pickled. It is often used as a base for salads and soups, or as a garnish.

Nutrition info

Celery is low in calories and fat, making it a healthy addition to any diet. It is a good source of vitamins A and C, potassium, and folate.

How it’s used

It is often used as a base for salads and soups, or as a garnish. When choosing celery, look for stalks that are firm and brightly colored. Avoid celery that is wilted or yellowing. Celery should be stored in the refrigerator for later use.

Best Substitutes for Celery

Whether you’re making a chicken salad or a comforting soup, here are the very best celery substitutes.

Whole fennel bulbs on wooden surface.

1. Fennel

Fennel is a member of the parsley family and has a long, white bulb with green stalks.

The bulb, stalk, and leaves are all edible and have a sweet, anise-like flavor. It can be eaten raw, cooked, or pickled, and it pairs well with fish, poultry, and vegetables.

Whether you are looking to add flavor to your dishes or improve your health, fennel is a great option and is a great substitute for celery.

To substitute two stalks of celery or one cup of chopped celery, use one cup of chopped fennel.

Halved and sliced cucumber on wooden surface.

2. Cucumber

Cucumbers are low in calories and high in water content, making them a perfect food for hot summer days. In addition to being refreshing and delicious, cucumbers also offer a number of health benefits. They are a good source of vitamins C and K, as well as potassium and magnesium.

Cucumbers are also fairly neutral in flavor so they can stand in for celery quite nicely.

To substitute two stalks of celery or one cup of chopped celery, use one cup of cucumber.

3. Green onion

The flavor of green onions is fairly mild, and they add a touch of sweetness and freshness to a dish. Green onions are a good source of Vitamin C and vitamin K. They’re also low in calories and can be used in place of celery.

To substitute two stalks of celery or one cup of chopped celery, use ½ cup of green onion.

Whole carrots and onions in a wooden container.

4. Mixture of carrots and onion

When carrots and onions are cooked together, they create a delicious and healthy mixture that can stand-in well for celery.

The combination will have a similar texture to celery and is a great choice for cooked dishes like soups and stews.

To substitute two stalks of celery or one cup of chopped celery, use one cup of a carrot and onion mixture.

Bowl of water chestnuts on wooden surface.
Water chestnuts.

5. Water chestnuts (canned)

Water chestnuts are a type of nut that grows in freshwater marshes and wetlands. They have a crunchy texture and a slightly sweet flavor, making them a popular addition to stir-fries, salads, and other dishes.

The flavor profile is different from celery, but the crunch is similar.

To substitute two stalks of celery or one cup of chopped celery, use one cup of canned water chestnuts (you can chop the water chestnuts before adding them to your dish).

Peeled and sliced jicama on wooden surface.
Jicama.

6. Jicama

This root crop is a crunchy, refreshing vegetable that is often used in salads. Jicama has a mild flavor that pairs well with other ingredients. It is also a good source of fiber and may help to promote digestive health.

To substitute two stalks of celery or one cup of chopped celery, use one cup of chopped jicama.

Basket of daikon radish on wooden surface.

7. Radish

Radish is grown for its edible roots which vary in color from white to red to black. Radishes are low in calories and a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They can be eaten raw, cooked, or pickled. Radishes are often used in Asian cuisines, such as in Korean kimchi. In the western world, radishes are commonly served as part of a salad or as a garnish on sandwiches and burgers.

Radishes do tend to have a bit of a spicy flavor, but they can be used as a celery substitute, especially in cooked dishes.

To substitute two stalks of celery or one cup of chopped celery, use one cup of chopped radishes.

Halved and chopped green pepper on wooden cutting board.

8. Green bell pepper

Green peppers are versatile vegetables that add a delicious crunch to any dish. But green bell peppers are more than just a tasty treat-they’re also packed with nutrients. Bell peppers are an excellent source of vitamins A and C, as well as beta-carotene and folate.

Celery has a stronger flavor than bell pepper, but green bell pepper can make for a good substitute when necessary.

To substitute two stalks of celery or one cup of chopped celery, use one cup of chopped green bell pepper.

Halved and Sliced cabbage in bowl and on wooden board.

9. Green cabbage

Green cabbage has a crisp texture, and a slightly sweet flavor and is a good source of folate, Vitamins C and K, and manganese. It also contains antioxidants.

When preparing cabbage, wash it thoroughly under cold water. Remove the outer leaves, then slice or chop the cabbage as desired. Green cabbage can be eaten raw or cooked. It is commonly used in salads and stir-fries.

To substitute two stalks of celery or one cup of chopped celery, use one cup of chopped green cabbage.

Bowl of celery seed spilling onto wooden surface.
Celery seeds.

10. Celery seeds

These tiny seeds that have a milder flavor than their full-grown form, but they pack a punch when it comes to nutrition.

Celery seeds are a good source of manganese, calcium and iron. In addition, celery seeds can be used to add flavor to soups, salads, and other dishes. So don’t let the small size fool you—celery seeds are a powerhouse of nutrition and flavor.

Look for celery seeds in the spice aisle of most grocery stores. If you can’t find them, you could also try using caraway seeds or fennel seeds instead.

To substitute two stalks of celery or one cup of chopped celery, start with a tablespoon of celery seeds and adjust to taste.

Halved and sliced green apple on wooden cutting board.

11. Green apple

Green apples are generally tart in taste, and they are often used in pies and other baked goods. In addition to their culinary uses, green apples are also known for their nutritional value. They are a good source of calcium and vitamins A and C.

While green apples are naturally sweeter than celery, they can be used as a substitute to help replicate the crunch factor.

To substitute two stalks of celery or one cup of chopped celery, use ½ cup of green apple and adjust to preference.

More Best Substitute Articles

Don’t Miss These Yummy Recipes Using Celery

Costco Chicken Salad (Copycat Recipe)

Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad

Salmon Salad with Mayo

Whole Foods Curry Chicken Salad (Copycat)

Conclusions

As you can see, there are a number of different vegetables that can be used as a celery substitute. Each of these options has its own unique flavor and nutritional profile. So, whether you’re looking for a crunchy addition to your salad or a flavorful ingredient for your soup, one of these celery substitutes is sure to do the trick.

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