If your celery goes limp or yellows before you’re able to use it and want to know how to keep celery fresh longer, you’re at the right place!
In this simple guide, you’ll learn the secret to keeping it fresh for WEEKS so it’s ready to be used in your favorite recipes like for soups, salads, or as a snack!
Choosing Fresh Celery
To select fresh celery, you should look for tightly packed stalks with bright green ribs and leaves. Every rib should be crisp and easily broken in half, not limp and rubbery. Make sure there are no yellowish, brown, or gray spots.
If your stalk of celery (bunch sold at the store) checks all these boxes, you’ve found a keeper!
Celery Stalk vs. Rib
Let’s clarify some terminology so everything in this post reads clearly. The entire bunch of celery is called a stalk. A single piece of celery is regarded as a rib.
That said, stalk and ribs are used interchangeably when referring to 1 piece so careful interpreting recipes.
Do You Wash Celery Before Storing?
You can wash celery right before prepping and storing it. This step ensures any dirt and sand are completely removed, and unlike other produce such as lettuce, celery can sit with moisture without going bad.
Speaking of, you might find this method for keeping lettuce fresh helpful. All you need are a zip bag and a paper towel!
How to Store Celery So it Stays Fresh
Here are step-by-step directions on how to store celery and keep it fresh
Step-by-step how to store celery
- Wash
Rinse the entire celery stalk under water, removing any dirt or sand with your fingers.
- Separate
Gently remove each celery rib from the stalk, including the inner core and leaves (those are useful for chopping and sauteing, so store them in a separate container if desired).
- Chop
Use a large kitchen knife to remove the leafy part of each rib and the tough white ends. You can leave the celery rib whole or chop it into smaller sticks.
- Add H2O
Place the celery into an airtight container and fill it with enough water to cover the entire layer.
- Stow away
Close the container and refrigerate it for up to 2 weeks.
How Long will Celery Stay Fresh in the Fridge
When stored properly, celery will stay fresh for up to 1 and 2 weeks in the fridge! That’s a long time, and if you’re not convinced that’s possible, give the method above a try. Over time you’ll see the celery is still bright green and fresh.
Can You Store Celery in Water
Celery holds up well in water, and it’s how you should store cut celery since it loses moisture quickly. This way, it retains its color and crisp texture.
If you want to store an uncut stalk, remove it from the plastic bag, wash it using the above method, and wrap the entire stalk with foil. In this fashion, it will keep the crisper drawer for up to 2 weeks.
Keeping Celery Fresh in the Lunchbox
A pro tip for keeping celery fresh in the lunch box is to wrap the sticks tightly with aluminum foil. This helps keep the moisture inside and allows you to pack celery into the lunch container days ahead. Don’t forget to add a mini sauce container with ranch dressing!
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