11 Best Substitutes for Celery (2024)

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by Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutritionon

Oct 9, 2022 (updated: 5/4/24)

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

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.

11 Best Substitutes for Celery (1)

Table of Contents

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.

1. Fennel

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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.

2. Cucumber

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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.

4. Mixture of carrots and onion

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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.

5. Water chestnuts (canned)

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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).

6. Jicama

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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.

7. Radish

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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.

8. Green bell pepper

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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.

9. Green cabbage

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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.

10. Celery seeds

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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.

11. Green apple

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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.

Pros and Cons Summary

Here’s a chart summarizing various substitutes for fresh celery, including the respective pros and cons.

SubstituteProsCons
FennelSweet, anise-like flavor, works well with fish and veggies.Flavor may be too distinct for some recipes.
CucumberRefreshing, neutral flavor, hydrating.Less flavor impact compared to celery.
Green OnionAdds mild sweetness and freshness.Stronger flavor, use less compared to celery.
Carrots and OnionCreates a flavorful blend, widely available.Texture and flavor profile differ from celery.
Water ChestnutsAdds crunch, slightly sweet.Different flavor, more suitable for Asian dishes.
JicamaCrunchy texture, mild flavor, good in salads.May be harder to find in some regions.
RadishAdds a spicy kick, versatile in use.Spicier than celery, might overpower mild dishes.
Green Bell PepperNutrient-rich, adds crunch and color.Can be more bitter than celery.
Green CabbageCrisp texture, slightly sweet, nutritious.Stronger flavor, may not work in all celery applications.
Celery SeedsConcentrated flavor, nutritional benefits.More potent, adjustments needed for flavor balance.
Green AppleAdds a sweet and tart crunch.Sweeter, changes the flavor profile of savory dishes.

More Best Substitute Articles

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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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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.

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11 Best Substitutes for Celery (2024)

FAQs

What is the substitute for celery? ›

Fennel. In recipes that call for raw celery or in celery salads, the best substitute is raw fennel bulb. Fennel and celery have a very similar texture and crunch. When shaved thinly, they hold up nearly identically in raw applications.

What herbs can replace celery? ›

Coriander (cilantro) Cilantro, also known as coriander leaves, can add a unique and zesty flavor to your dishes as a substitute for celery leaves. Its citrusy and slightly peppery notes make it an excellent choice for cooked dishes like soups and stews, but will also add an aromatic flavor to salads.

What vegetable tastes like celery? ›

Simply put, celeriac is the root of a celery plant. It has an earthy taste with a slight hint of celery flavor. The texture is close to a turnip or potato. Celeriac isn't just tasty, it also has some great health benefits.

What spice is close to celery? ›

Fennel Seeds

Flavorful fennel seeds make a great celery salt replacement. Fennel adds a sweet touch to meat dishes.

What herb is similar to celery? ›

Lovage is mainly grown for its leaves, which taste rather like celery, but sweeter, with a hint of parsley and aniseed.

What vegetables are in the same family as celery? ›

The Umbelliferae family

A few examples: dill, anise, garden angelica, carrots, caraway, celery, chervil, cilantro, cumin, fennel, parsnips, and parsley.

What herb leaves taste like celery? ›

Lovage tastes like celery but a little stronger and is a lot easier to grow than celery. Lovage is in the Umbelliferae family with its cousins dill, fennel, caraway, coriander and chervil. Its botanical name is Levisticum officinale.

What is the Indian equivalent of celery? ›

A suitable Indian substitute for celery is often coriander leaves (cilantro) or its seeds. They can provide a similar fresh and aromatic flavor to dishes. Additionally, you may also consider using fenugreek leaves or seeds as alternatives, depending on the specific recipe.

What is the same as celery? ›

Though celery has its own unique taste which is not easy to replace, certain vegetables like jicama, radish, cucumber, green bell peppers provide a similar flavor profile. Celery gives a nice texture when cooked.

What is the Italian vegetable similar to celery? ›

Cardone, also called cardoon, is a vegetable that looks like celery, needs cooking before eating and is considered a delicacy at Christmas time.

What is the Italian vegetable like celery? ›

Whether you call them gobbi, cardoni or cardi, in Italian, or cardoons, in English, this vegetable may look like celery — on steroids! — but don't be fooled. Gobbi are actually a distant cousin of artichokes and their tastes are surprisingly similar.

What root vegetables are like celery? ›

This category includes beets, potatoes and sweet potatoes, yams, parsnips, turnips, jicama, radishes, celery root, carrots, rutabagas, Jerusalem artichokes or sunchokes, daikon, and more.

What is a substitute for celery in Ragu? ›

Carrots! If you're making a soup recipe, it's likely carrots are already used in the broth. You can use chopped carrots to substitute for celery without losing any of the great flavor. Substitute ½ cup chopped carrots per stalk of celery.

What can I use instead of celery in vegetable stock? ›

Again, when you use celery in soups, stews and stocks, you typically aren't looking for the crunch factor. Here are some good alternatives: What is this? Fennel, Celery Seed, Green Beans, Green Bell Pepper, Carrots, Leeks, Cabbage, Baby Bok Choy.

What is a stalk of celery equal to? ›

By most definitions, a whole head of celery is a stalk and a single “stick” from the stalk is a rib. Some dictionaries use the accurate but clunky term “leafstalk” for a single rib.

Can I sub celery seed for celery? ›

Celery stalks retain their stringy quality when cooked, which can detract from delicate dishes like soups. Celery seed, on the other hand, marches on without these problems. If you're running short on celery or just don't want to buy it in the first place, add a pinch or two of celery seed and you're set to go.

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