Can You Freeze Celery?
Tips for preserving and maintaining the freshness of celery.
Fresh celery is one of those green vegetables that comes in a giant bunch, and often is not entirely used before it starts to wilt. When combating food waste and keeping within our budgets, we are looking to make that celery last as long as possible, and extend that expected shelf-life wherever we can. That’s where the question comes in: Can we freeze celery? The answer is a resounding: yes!
Celery stalks actually freeze pretty well, and have a lot of potential recipe uses once thawed – or still frozen.
Meet The Experts
Olivia Roszkowski is a chef-instructor of Plant-Based Culinary Arts at the Institute of Culinary Education
Lacy Larson is the Executive Chef of Pacific Coast Fruit Company
5 Benefits of Freezing Celery
There are many benefits to freezing the celery we don’t get to use when we buy or grow it fresh.
For Maintaining Freshness
Celery, like many other vegetables, has a limited shelf-life when stored in the refrigerator. “Freezing celery helps to preserve its freshness and flavor for an extended period,” says Lacy Larson, Executive Chef of Pacific Coast Fruit Company. This is a great option if you have a lot of celery and you can’t use it all immediately.
For Cutting Back On Food Waste
Celery can wilt and have to be tossed pretty quickly when stored in the refrigerator, leading to food waste. “Freezing celery allows you to keep it for an extended period, reducing the likelihood of throwing it away due to spoilage,” says Larson.
For Being Versatile And Convenient
Frozen celery can be readily available for use in various dishes without the need to make frequent trips to the grocery store. “You can use frozen celery in soups, stews, and other cooked dishes without a significant loss of quality,” notes Larson.
Keep in mind: You might not want to use frozen celery for anything that requires the classic crunch, such as tuna or chicken salad or for a crudité platter
For Saving Money
Buying celery in bulk when it's on sale or in season, and freezing it for later can save you money in the long run. You can take advantage of lower prices and enjoy celery throughout the year.
For Planning Meals
Freezing celery is useful for meal planning and preparation. “You can pre-chop celery, freeze it in portion-sized bags, and easily incorporate it into recipes as needed, saving time, and effort during cooking,” says Larson.
The main benefit of freezing celery is the ease of throwing it into dishes since it's already washed, prepped, and ready-to-go. “It is not necessary to defrost your celery,” explains Olivia Roszkowski, chef-instructor of Plant-Based Culinary Arts at the Institute of Culinary Education. The best part is that you can go ahead and add it straight into whatever dish you are in the process of cooking. “The best application will be using it as a mirepoix for soups, an ingredient for stock, rich braises, Bolognese sauces, stuffing, muddled for cocktails, blended into smoothies or chilled soups, and pot pie fillings,” says Roszkowski. “You can also use a few pieces to cool and infuse your water if you really enjoy the flavor of celery,” adds Roszkowski.
How To Freeze Celery
Your best plan would be to freeze celery as soon as you buy it, instead of waiting until it's almost limp so that the celery in the freezer is at its peak freshness. Here are Roszkowski's tips for freezing properly.
Wash celery stalks and cut them into desired pieces.
Spread pieces into a single layer on a parchment-lined tray and freeze. “The quicker the cut celery freezes, the less ice crystals form which will help preserve their integrity.”
Transfer frozen pieces to a freezer bag or container for easier storage.
Tips For Blanching Celery
“Since celery is high in water content, it's best to use it within a month or two for optimal flavor,” says Roszkowski. Here are a few blanching pointers from Roszkowski:
If blanching celery before freezing it, cut it into larger pieces such as a diagonal slice that can be utilized in a future stir fry.
Do not mix shapes
Leave the pieces relatively thicker
Bring a pot of water to a boil and salt heavily.
Prepare an ice bath. “The salt will bring out the chlorophyll in the celery and should turn it vibrant green,” says Roszkowski.
Lower the cut celery pieces into the water and blanche briefly, for about 10 to 15 seconds.
Use a spider or slotted spoon to transfer to an ice bath until cool.
Place a mesh strainer inside the ice bath for easy removal.
Blot dry and spread onto a parchment-lined tray to freeze.
Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container for easy storage.
Make sure to label whatever you are using for storage with a date to stay organized later.
Best Ways To Freeze Celery
Make sure to use the freshest celery possible for best results, and if you are not cutting the celery into small pieces, get rid of any strings with a peeler or paring knife.
Use a sharp knife to cut the celery that you will be freezing as this will help maintain its shape instead of crushing and damaging its plant cell wall structure, notes Roszkowski.
Minimize the amount of air or space in your container.
Choose an airtight container or bag to help minimize freezer burn.
Proper Freezer-Friendly Storage
When freezing celery, using the right containers is crucial to prevent freezer burn and maintain the quality of the vegetable.
Freezer bags (zip-top bags): Freezer bags are a convenient option for freezing celery. “They are designed to withstand low temperatures and help prevent freezer burn,” says Larson. Be sure to squeeze out excess air before sealing the bag to minimize moisture loss.
Plastic containers with tight-sealing lids: Rigid plastic containers with airtight, leak-proof lids are a good choice for freezing celery. Look for containers specifically labeled as "freezer-safe" to ensure they can withstand the cold temperatures without cracking,” advises Larson.
Vacuum-sealed bags: Vacuum-sealed bags are excellent for removing air and minimizing the risk of freezer burn. “The vacuum-sealing process helps maintain the quality of the celery. However, you'll need a vacuum sealer machine for this option,” says Larson.
Glass containers with lids: Some glass containers are freezer-safe and work well for freezing celery. “Make sure the container is designed for freezing and has an airtight lid. Leave some headspace in the container to allow for expansion as the celery freezes,” notes Larson.
Freezer-safe resealable containers: There are containers specifically designed for freezing and reheating. “Freezer-safe resealable containers often have durable, airtight seals and are safe for use in the freezer and microwave,” says Larson.
Mason jars: You can use wide-mouth mason jars for freezing celery. “Leave some space at the top to allow for expansion, and make sure the jars are specifically labeled as freezer-safe. Use caution when freezing in glass, as it can be more susceptible to breakage due to expansion,” adds Larson.
When choosing a container, consider the portion size that you plan to freeze. “It's a good idea to portion the celery into quantities that you're likely to use in one recipe to avoid thawing and refreezing, which can degrade the quality of the celery,” says Larson. Additionally, label the containers with the date of freezing to keep track of how long the celery has been in the freezer.
Thawing And Using Frozen Celery
It's best not to bother thawing your frozen celery before using it in a recipe, as this will cause it to become watery. “There is flavor in that liquid which will be lost,” says Roszkowski. If you do choose to defrost your celery, it's a relatively quick process. “One food-safe method is to place it in your refrigerator for a few hours. A quicker and also safe method is to place your celery pieces in a mesh strainer and run cold water over it for a few seconds,” says Roszkowski.
Tip
Make things easier on yourself wherever possible. If you are planning on defrosting the celery, it's best to already have it in the shape you will use it, rather than having to chop thawed celery.
Thawed celery would do really well in any fillings such as stuffed mushrooms, dumplings, a quick pan sauce, or even a topping for ceviche or an oyster mignonette. “You can also use it to add extra vegetables to food you might be preparing for someone who isn’t particularly keen on consuming celery such as a younger child. It can also contribute a nice moistness to items like meatballs or veggie burgers,” adds Roszkowski.
Related: 15 Flavorful Ways to Use Up That Extra Celery
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