Don’t toss that leftover celery! Here’s how to use it

You bought a whole bunch of celery for a recipe that called for just one stalk, didn’t you?

Now, the rest of it is slowly wilting in the fridge, waiting for its inevitable fate in the bin. But hold on! Celery may not be the main event in most meals, but it’s a quiet hero in the kitchen.

Here are some simple, delicious ways to use your celery:

1. Freeze it for future stock

Let’s be honest, homemade stock always sounds like something you’ll make “one day.” But when that day finally comes, you’ll thank your past self for freezing leftover celery.

Chop it up, toss it in a freezer bag, and save it for soups, stews, and sauces. No more last-minute store runs for overpriced stock cubes.

2. The easiest crunchy snack

Forget about the classic “ants on a log” (unless you’re still into that). Instead, slice celery into sticks, drizzle with sesame oil, and sprinkle with flaky salt. That’s it! The combination of crunch, salt, and umami is weirdly addictive.

3. Upgrade your salads

Lettuce is great, but celery adds the kind of crunch that makes a salad exciting. Slice it thinly and mix it with apples, blue cheese, and walnuts for a fresh, tangy combo. Or swap out lettuce entirely and go all-in on a celery-based slaw with a zesty lemon dressing.

Try this: Shaved celery, fennel and watermelon salad with almonds, Parmesan and avocado dressing

4. Chop it into chicken or Tuna salad

A sandwich filler that lacks crunch is just a mushy mistake. Celery to the rescue! Dice it up and mix it into tuna or chicken salad for a textural upgrade.

Pro tip: Add crushed potato chips for extra indulgence.

Read more: The health benefits of celery juice

5. Stir it into peanut sauce

Making peanut sauce? Double up on the celery. The fresh crunch balances the richness, and you’ll have an excuse to drizzle peanut sauce over everything from noodles to roasted veggies all week long.

6. Roast it under a chicken

Lay down a bed of celery before roasting your chicken, letting it soak up all those delicious juices. It turns buttery-soft and full of flavour—almost too good to be considered a leftover-saving trick.

7. Make a simple Celery soup

Celery usually plays a supporting role in soups, but it deserves the spotlight once in a while. Blend it with onions, garlic, and a splash of cream for a silky, surprisingly rich soup that’s perfect for cooler evenings.

Try this: Creamy celery soup with white beans and pancetta

8. Try a Celery-infused cocktail

Celery in a drink? Trust me on this one. Blend celery with sugar and lemon juice to create a refreshing syrup, then mix it with gin and soda water for a light, herby cocktail. Even non-cocktail drinkers will be impressed.

Try this: Apple and celery zinger

9. Stir it into guacamole (Yes, really)

Before you judge, finely diced celery in guacamole adds an unexpected crunch that works. Purists may protest, but once you try it, you might just be converted.

10. Compost it (As a last resort)

If your celery is too far gone to be salvaged, at least let it go back to the earth instead of the trash. But let’s be real—you now have plenty of ways to use it before that happens.

So, no more celery going to waste! With these ideas, you’ll actually look forward to having extra stalks hanging around. Who knew celery could be so versatile?

ALSO SEE: HOW TO KEEP YOUR KITCHEN STOCKED WITH HOME-GROWN SPRING ONION

Feature image: Pexels