Have too much celery on your hands? If you don’t think you’ll use your stalks before they spoil, consider freezing them to prolong their life by months. Here’s everything you need to know about freezing, thawing, and using celery:
How Long Does Celery Last?
How long celery lasts depends on how it’s stored. Uncut celery wrapped snugly in aluminum foil in the fridge will last about a month. Cut celery, meanwhile, stored in an airtight container in the fridge will stay good for about two weeks. Frozen celery will last for more than a year.
Can You Freeze Celery?
Yes! You can (and should) freeze uncooked celery if you’re not planning to eat it within a few weeks. It’s important to note, though, that freezing affects the veggie’s texture — when thawed, it won’t have celery’s signature crispiness. Frozen celery is great to toss into soups, stews, or casseroles, but it doesn’t work well in situations that typically require fresh celery (salads, garnishes, or ants on a log).
How to Freeze Celery
- Wash. Clean your celery stalks thoroughly under running water, using a vegetable brush if you have one. Make sure you remove all visible residue.
- Trim. Cut away the leaves and any white sections. Also, remove any coarse strings or discolored areas. When you’re done, you should have completely green and uniform stalks.
- Chop. Use a sharp knife to chop the celery to your desired length. If you plan to use them for soups and stews, go ahead and dice the stalks. That’ll save your future self some time.
- Blanch (optional). Boil the celery pieces for 2 to 3 minutes, then immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Let the celery sit in the cold water for a few minutes. You don’t necessarily have to blanch the celery before freezing, but it will preserve the flavor for longer.
- Dry. Drain the celery in a colander. Once the celery has drained, pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel or some paper towels.
- Flash Freeze. Arrange the dry celery pieces in a single layer on a lined baking sheet. Freeze overnight.
- Freeze. Transfer the frozen celery to airtight freezer bags labeled with the date. Freeze the bags for up to 18 months.
How to Thaw Celery
There’s no need to thaw frozen celery. It can go straight from the freezer to the stove. If you must thaw it for whatever reason, simply transfer it from the freezer to the fridge before you go to bed. It’ll be thawed by morning.
How to Use Frozen Celery
Use your frozen celery to make delicious soups, stews, sauces, and stocks. In need of inspiration? Try one of these top-rated recipes:
- Quick and Easy Chicken Noodle Soup
- Slow Cooker Beef Stew
- Divine Spaghetti Sauce
- Basic Vegetable Stock
- Insanely Easy Vegetarian Chili
