15 Flavorful Ways to Use Up That Extra Celery

Cream Cheese-and-Walnut Stuffed Celery
Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Everyone has some memory of eating ants on a log as a child. Whether you devoured or took small mouthfuls in disgust, they were a snack time staple. And, as adults, we can see why. The benefits of celery are numerous. The vibrant, leafy, crunchy stalk is loaded with antioxidants and 25 anti-inflammatory compounds, known to benefit cells, blood vessels, and organs. You'll find vitamins A, C, and K, along with potassium and a boost to your digestive system. Celery has been shown to help decrease ulcers and improve the stomach lining, plus, it's got a high water content and plenty of fiber. If you find a few wallowing stalks in your vegetable crisper, don't throw them out. Instead, try one of these tasty celery recipes. While not always the main star, celery is often a key aromatic, especially in soup. From a comforting celery soup recipe to a retro celery salad recipe, you'll soon discover this veggie has a lot to offer.

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Easy Black-Eyed Peas

Easy Black-Eyed Peas
Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Easy Black-Eyed Peas

Every Southerner knows that the key to amazing black-eyed peas is the broth. That's where the celery comes in, playing the important role as a member of the sacred onion-carrot-celery trinity.

02 of 15

Old-Fashioned Chicken Salad

Old-Fashioned Chicken Salad
Southern Living

Recipe: Old-Fashioned Chicken Salad

Depending on what camp you're in, celery is a no-go or total hit in the chicken salad. This version incorporates the crunchy veggie along with creamy mayo and a splash of lemon juice. Picked relish and boiled eggs, however, are optional.

03 of 15

Classic Cranberry Salad

Classic Cranberry Salad
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Classic Cranberry Salad

We're hedging the bet that after you try this salad, you'll abandon the traditional congealed version. Celery and toasted pecans give a refreshing and surprising crunch.

04 of 15

Nana's Lime Delight

Nana's Lime Delight Still
Southern Living

Recipe: Nana's Lime Delight

This gelatin salad is a study in textural contrast. Creamy mayonnaise and cream cheese meet pecans, celery, and crushed pineapple in a creation that could have only come from grandma's recipe box.

05 of 15

Salmon Cakes

Salmon Cakes
Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Salmon Cakes

While salmon is certainly the star, this recipe begins by caramelizing the red onion and celery, which impart an earthy, subtle sweetness.

06 of 15

Turkey Salad

Turkey Salad
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Turkey Salad

For just the right amount of crunch, you'll finely chop some celery and shallot to add into our best-ever version of the Turkey Salad.

07 of 15

Easy Cauliflower Casserole

Easy Cauliflower Casserole
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Easy Cauliflower Casserole

This might be the sneaky way to swap mac and cheese for some veggies. Cream of celery soup will do just fine if you're out of cream of chicken.

08 of 15

Cabbage Casserole

Cabbage Casserole
Photography: Victor Protasio, Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck, Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Cabbage Casserole

This casserole manages to encapsulate a few things we love, mainly coleslaw and potatoes au gratin. With its Parmesan-breadcrumb topping and crunchy celery and cabbage filling, it somehow manages to be fresh and comforting at the same time.

09 of 15

Buffalo Chicken Casserole

Buffalo Chicken Casserole
Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Casserole

If you turn spicy chicken wings into a casserole, we'll be right there. This one is like a buffalo wings platter in a cozy bowl: plenty of Cheddar and crumbled blue cheese, hot sauce, carrots, and celery.

10 of 15

Classic Hoppin' John

Classic Hoppin’ John
Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Mary-Claire Britton

Recipe: Classic Hoppin' John

Celery is part of the ensemble cast of aromatics, which include onion, bell pepper, garlic, and thyme.

11 of 15

Slow-Cooker Green Minestrone

Slow-Cooker Green Minestrone
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Green Minestrone

Scallions, leeks, celery, spinach, and sweet peas provide the greenery for this spring soup.

12 of 15

Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Melissa Gray

Recipe: Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

Say hello to comforting soup in 35 minutes. Sautéed carrots, onions, celery, and garlic form the flavorful base.

13 of 15

Three-Bean Pasta Salad

Three-Bean Pasta Salad
Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Toni Brogan

Recipe: Three-Bean Pasta Salad

Celery is the unexpected star of this hearty pasta dish, providing vibrant color and a tender-crisp texture.

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Mini Shrimp Rolls

Mini Shrimp Rolls
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Mini Shrimp Rolls

These shrimp salad sliders are perfect for a summer cookout. Succulent shrimp and crisp celery are the stars, finely dressed in mayonnaise, a squeeze of lemon juice, and fresh chives.

15 of 15

Best Waldorf Salad

Waldorf Salad
Southern Living

Recipe: Best Waldorf Salad

In keeping with the tradition of this notable salad, celery, apples, grapes, pecans, and raisins get a light coating of mayonnaise.

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