How do you keep celery fresh in the fridge?

Keep that crunch for as long as possible — because nobody wants a limp stalk of celery. 

Published on October 26, 2020

Crisp and crunchy celery can be a refreshing, healthy snack. But neglect it for too long, and you'll have dry, limp stalks that aren't appealing to anyone. Here you'll learn the best ways to store celery, whether it's whole or cut. Plus get tips for reviving and giving new life to limp celery.

The Best Way To Store Celery

When it comes to keeping celery fresh, moisture is key. This method for storing whole celery keeps the moisture locked in, but allows the ethylene gas (which can lead to spoilage) to escape.

Here's What You'll Need:

• Whole, uncut celery
• Aluminum foil

Instructions:

1. Start by ditching that grocery-store plastic bag the celery came in. Storing celery in plastic bags will only cause the ethylene gas to be trapped and the moisture to escape, gradually spoiling the celery.
2. Wrap your whole, uncut celery snuggly in aluminum foil, which provides a stronger barrier for locking in moisture than plastic. But be sure not to crimp the edges of your foil pack, because you want to allow the natural ethylene gas to escape.
3. Place the wrapped celery in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator and store for up to four weeks. Do not wash and/or cut until ready to use.

How To Store Cut Celery

If you're storing pre-cut celery, you're going to need to take a different approach to storage. Cutting celery allows some of the moisture to be released, which is why we recommend storing it whole, to begin with. But we understand that having pre-cut celery on hand for easy snacking is convenient. So here's how to make cut celery last as long as possible.

Here's What You'll Need:

• Celery stalks, cut
• Sealable container
• Water

Instructions:

This method can also be used to revive limp, dry celery.

1. Add cut celery stalks to a large container, leaving room for water.
2. Submerge the stalks completely in water. Seal with a lid or plastic wrap. When you're ready to eat, simply remove them from the water and rinse.
3. Replenish the water every other day. Celery will last up to two weeks using this method.

How To Use Up Limp Celery

If you do find that your celery has passed its prime, limp celery can still be put to good use. Dishes that alter its texture are best. Consider juicing it for smoothies, pureeing it for soups like this cream of celery soup, braising it, or shaving it to use as a garnish in salads.

Related:

• What Is Celery Salt?
• The Best Juicers You Can Buy, According to Our Test Kitchen
• Browse Our Entire Collection of Celery Recipes.
  

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(Image credit: Oriana Koren)

Celery is a real workhorse in the kitchen, but rarely do we use the whole bunch in one cooking session. Most recipes require only one or two ribs, and by the time we get to the rest, it’s often limp and mushy. Here is the best way to store celery to keep it fresh and crisp for as long as possible.

The 3 Keys to Storing a Head of Celery

To help celery keep its crispness and last as long as possible, you’re going to want to ditch the plastic bag it came in as soon as you get home from the store. While it’s convenient, it turns out that it’s not the best way to store celery.

Instead, there are three key elements when it comes to the best way to store celery: Keep it whole, wrap it in aluminum foil, and store it in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. The vegetable will lose less moisture when kept whole for as long as possible, and the foil should be tight enough that moisture can’t escape, but not so tight that it crumples the stalks.

Why This Method Works

Like many other fruits and vegetables, celery naturally releases ethylene gas. When stored in a plastic bag, the gas is trapped and accelerates moisture loss and spoilage. According to an old issue of Cook’s Illustrated, foil, on the other hand, allows the ethylene to escape (while keeping moisture in) and slows spoilage.

The Best Way to Store Cut Celery

Now, if the stalks of celery are already cut, there is a better method for storage. Once cut, the stalks will lose moisture at a faster rate, so they are best stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container, submerged in water. This keeps the stalks hydrated and crisp.

More Celery Tips

Do you have any other tips for storing celery?