Incorporating celery salad into your weekly menu is a simple and effective way to improve your health. With its numerous health benefits and versatility, celery salad is a delicious option worth considering.
This salad actually started because of my mother-in-law’s friend. She used to make a celery salad that my husband loved — seriously, every time she made it, he’d go back for seconds (or thirds). So of course, I asked her for the recipe. But you know how it goes — I got one of those vague, “oh, it’s just celery, a little of this, a little of that…” kind of answers.
So, I decided to make my own version.
I played around with the dressing, added a few ingredients I thought would work, and over time, this became our version of the salad. And honestly? My husband says he likes this one even more now. It’s fresh, crunchy, a little sweet, and makes celery the star of the show — something I never thought I’d say!
Why make this salad
- This celery salad is a tasty treat for anyone looking for something light and quick.
- This is an everyday salad with bright flavors, ready in a snap with just a handful of ingredients.
- You can serve this as a healthy side dish for starch with any protein. In fact, I often will eat my main course, such as chicken or fish, with salad instead of rice or potatoes.
- And, the best thing about this salad is that almost everything can be switched or substituted. If you don’t like something, you can easily omit it or replace it with something else.
- This salad keeps well, so you can make it a few hours ahead and store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a day.
- Celery, cranberrie,s and walnuts are a terrific trio in this light, lemony version of a classic healthy holiday side dish.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Celery – make sure it is fresh, bright green with no brown spots. When it comes to salad, you want the freshest quality you can find. You can also use the bright green celery leaves in your salad.
- Honey – I love the soft sweetness of honey that really brings out the celery, but if you prefer, you could substitute it with 1 tsp of sugar instead.
- Lemon Juice – again, I prefer lemon juice, but a good apple cider vinegar works just as well.
- Nuts– I personally love pecans, but walnuts, almonds, or cashew nuts go really well with celery, too.
- Cranberry – well, I love the sweet and tart quality that cranberry brings to this salad, but you can use raisins or prunes as well.
- Olive oil – When it comes to salads, I love to use good-quality cold-pressed olive oil or extra-virgin olive oil
- Optional ingredients
- Cheese – Add 1/2 cup shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese or 1/4 cup crumbled feta.
- Onions – Add 1/2 cup chopped Spanish red onions or 1/2 cup fresh green shallots.
- Mustard – If you like a little kick, add a little dijon mustard or red pepper flakes to the salad dressing along with a little extra lime juice or lemon zest.
- Herbs – You can add more fresh flavor to this salad with fresh parsley leaves or fresh cilantro. A few fresh basil leaves add a nice flavor to the salad dressing.
- Seeds – You can also substitute the nuts in this salad with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
Step-by-step: Easy celery salad recipe
- Prep – Start by getting everything for your salad ready.
- Slice the celery into thin slices diagonally.
- Chop the dates into small pieces.
- Soak cranberries in hot water for 5 minutes and drain well.
- Chop pecans and walnuts into small pieces.
- Dressing – In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and black pepper. Combine well with a whisk.
- Salad – Combine celery, cranberries, nuts, and herbs in a large bowl. Pour the salad dressing and toss everything well to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Avocado Salad
- Cherry Tomato Salad – Tomato Mozzarella Salad
- Chickpea Salad or Couscous Salad
- Beet Salad
- Asian Salad Recipe
- Lebanese Roasted Eggplant Salad
- Easy Cabbage Salad or Quick Carrot Salad
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely! Celery salad is a great make-ahead dish. You can prepare the celery, chop any additional ingredients, and make the dressing in advance. Keep the ingredients separate and store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to enjoy your salad, simply toss everything together, and you’re good to go. Just be mindful that the salad may become slightly wilted if left overnight, so it’s best to consume it within a day or two.
Absolutely! Celery leaves are not only edible but also packed with flavor. They add a refreshing and slightly bitter taste to your salad. If you have celery stalks with an abundance of leaves, don’t discard them—chop them up and toss them into your salad for an extra burst of freshness.
Easy Celery Salad Recipe
Celery contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, with few calories. A crunchy, slightly sweet celery salad is a great addition to any meal! Find out how to make a simple and tasty salad here.
Ingredients
- 8 large (400 g) Celery stalks chopped into slices diagonally
- ½ cup (50 g) Dried fruits Cranberries, raisins
- 2 large Dates optional
- ½ cup (150 g) Nuts pecans, walnuts, almond,
- ¼ cup Fresh parsley chopped (optional)
- ½ cup Pomegranate optional
- 3 tbsp Lemon juice
- 4 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tbsp Honey
- ½ tsp Mustard paste
- ¼ tsp Kosher salt
- ¼ tsp Black pepper
Method
- Prep – slice the celery into thin slices diagonally. Soak cranberries in hot water for 5 minutes and drain well. Chop the dates, pecans, and walnuts into small pieces8 large Celery stalks, ½ cup Dried fruits , 2 large Dates, ½ cup Nuts, ¼ cup Fresh parsley , ½ cup Pomegranate
- Dressing – In a small bowl combine the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and black pepper. Combine well with a whisk.3 tbsp Lemon juice, 4 tbsp Olive oil, 1 tbsp Honey, ½ tsp Mustard paste, 1/4 tsp Kosher salt, 1/4 tsp Black pepper
- Salad – In a large bowl, combine celery, cranberries, nuts, and herbs. Pour the salad dressing and toss everything well to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Notes
- Firstly, it’s important to choose fresh and crisp celery stalks. Look for firm ones with bright green leaves, as they will add a pleasant crunch to your salad. Additionally, consider using a mix of different types of celery, such as traditional green celery and the more delicate celery hearts, to add variety and depth of flavor.
- Next, it’s time to prepare the celery for your salad. Start by washing the stalks thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Then, trim off the ends and cut the stalks into bite-sized pieces. If you prefer a more tender texture, you can blanch the celery in boiling water for a couple of minutes, followed by an ice bath to stop the cooking process. This step will help to soften the celery slightly while preserving its vibrant color.
- Now it’s time to get creative with the flavors you want to incorporate into your celery salad. You can keep it simple by tossing the celery with a light vinaigrette made from olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper. This dressing will complement the natural freshness of the celery without overpowering its delicate taste. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can experiment with different ingredients like roasted nuts, dried cranberries, or crumbled feta cheese to add extra texture and flavor.
- To enhance the nutritional value of your celery salad, consider adding a variety of colorful vegetables or fruits. Chopped bell peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers will not only provide additional vitamins and minerals but also add a refreshing crunch. For a touch of sweetness, you can toss in some sliced apples, grapes, or pomegranate seeds. These additions will not only make your salad more visually appealing but also contribute to a well-rounded and balanced meal
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
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Hi, I’m Veena
I’m the recipe developer, baker, and food photographer behind Veena Azmanov Kitchen.
I’ve spent years developing and testing recipes, from everyday meals and homemade breads to cakes and desserts.
I share the practical tips and little details I’ve learned along the way so you can get great results in your own kitchen.
What a great light salad perfect for summer. I’m really trying to add more veggies in my diet so this is a perfect addition to keep me on track.
Thanks, Kelly. This is nice and crunchy and perfect in summer.
I use celery so much in things like stews and braises but not so much in salads. This looks delicious though, I love a crunchy salad. Definitely going to try this when the weather heats up!
Thanks, Elizabeth. I love celery in soups and stews too but this salad is definitely one you must try.
Oh I am loving this salad. So refreshingly crunchy and green, and very quick to prepare. It’s great as is, but I think one green apple thrown into it won’t do any harm. 🙂
Thanks, Anita. Yes, this one is very versatile so yes, like the cranberries.. apples would add a nice tart-sweet taste just as well.
Cranberries and pecans are two of my most favourite things. And the dressing is so healthy too. Love it!
Thank you, Saima. Mine too. Love cranberries and pecans combination.
Crunchy salads are the best and this salad would make a great side during the Holidays. The cranberries make it festive and I like the addition of the nuts and cilantro. The light vinaigrette is an ideal dressing for this salad. I’m pinning.
Absolutely, Marisa. You will enjoy this.
I love that crisp crunch celery provides! This would be a great side for the many upcoming barbecues when summer rolls around!
Me too! love the crisp from celery. Thanks Jacquee
Such a refreshing salad and right now we are relying entirely on salads, due to the heat. I should try your celery salad sometime soon. Thanks fro sharing!
I think you will love it. Thanks Helene.
What a great way to jazz up a celery salad. Love cranberries!
Me too Bintu. Thanks
Yum! This looks like a great recipe to take and toss for lunch! Thank you for sharing! I love the combination of ingredients you’ve used. Delicious! Luci’s Morsels | fashion. food. frivolity.
Thank you Luci.
I love the crunch that celery brings to a salad!
Me too Mary – Thanks