10 Ways to Prepare Celery Root, AKA Celeriac
What tastes like celery but cooks like a root? Celeriac, of course! Also known as celery root, celeriac is lower in carbs, higher in fiber, and has just the right amount of sweetness, making it a great alternative to potatoes, whether roasted, mashed, or grated raw atop your salad.
We’ve put together a list of 10 unique ways to enjoy this underrated root veggie in your kitchen this winter!
Prepping & Storing Celery Root
If it’s your first time cooking with celery root, you might find yourself intimidated by how to prep it or even which one to pick at the grocery store. Here are some helpful tips to de-mystify this mysterious root veggie:
Shop for firm, unblemished roots that feel heavy for their size, with a greenish blush.
Store in the fridge, unpeeled, in an unsealed plastic bag, with a dry paper towel to absorb excess moisture, for up to 3 weeks.
Scrub celery roots well, then trim the top and bottom with a sharp knife. Peel the skin with a vegetable peeler, then use a knife to trim any recessed or pocked parts of the root.
Photo Courtesy of Food Network
Roasted Celery Root with Cumin & Parsley
This is an easy recipe that lets the celeriac sweetness shine!
Celery root is peeled and chopped before being tossed with cumin seeds, olive oil, and salt and oven roasted alongside sliced red onion.
Simple and flavorful, serve roasted celery root alongside herbed chicken breast.
Photo Courtesy of Feasting at Home
Creamy Celeriac Soup
Creamy, luscious, and vegan-adaptable, this celeriac soup from Feasting at Home features licoricey fennel and parsley oil garnish for an elegant, well-balanced meal.
Celery root, onion, and fennel are diced and sauteed before being added to a blender and pureed to create a smooth, silky textured soup.
Turn this soup into a vegan-friendly option by simply excluding the sour cream or replacing it with vegan sour cream.
Photo Courtesy of Simply Recipes
Celery Root Mash
A low-carb alternative to traditional mashed potatoes, this celery root mash is a bit sweeter than its potato alternative, but extra nutritious, too!
This mash is prepared in the same way as mashed potatoes, with milk, salt, and butter coming together with cubed celery root.
Serve this healthy mash with simple baked chicken breast for a comforting and cozy seasonal dinner.
Photo Courtesy of Smitten Kitchen
Root Vegetable Gratin
Take full advantage of the bounty of winter root veggies with this gratin recipe from Smitten Kitchen!
Celery root is paired with sweet potatoes, Yukon gold potatoes, fennel, and onion to create a very flavorful take on a standard potato gratin.
Serve this gratin in lieu of potatoes during the holidays or as a side dish at Friendsgiving.
Photo Courtesy of Feasting at Home
Lentil Salad with Apples, Walnuts & Celery Root
Crunchy apples and celery root pair with protein-packed lentils and a flavorful cumin seed dressing in this beautiful seasonal salad from Feasting at Home.
Celery root and apples are cut into matchsticks before being combined with cooked and cooled lentils, chopped parsley, and onion.
Cumin seed adds a bright, aromatic addition to the salad dressing that ties all the ingredients together.
Photo Courtesy of EatingWell
Parsnip-Celery Root Latkes
A sweeter, more fiber-packed alternative to traditional latkes, these parsnip-celery root latkes are sure to be a hit during the chilly winter months.
Parsnips and celery root are shredded before being combined with egg whites, flour, and seasonings and fried in a cast iron skillet.
Don’t forget to add a dollop of apple sauce or sour cream to finish them off!
More Celery Root Recipes
Celeriac Fries from Fuss Free Flavours
Celery Root Salad (Remoulade) from The Spruce Eats
Simple Sautéed Celeriac from Healthy Seasonal Recipes
Spicy Stir-Fried Fennel, Celery, and Celery Root With Chinese Sausage from Serious Eats