Ina Garten’s Fresh Celery & Parmesan Salad Recipe – Simple Joy

Celery and Parmesan salad brings unexpected brightness to any dining experience with its remarkable crunch and sophisticated flavor profile.

Light and elegant ingredients transform this humble vegetable into something truly spectacular.

Fresh celery offers remarkable texture that contrasts beautifully with rich, salty cheese.

Delicate shavings of Parmesan create a luxurious backdrop for the salad’s clean, sharp notes.

Mediterranean-inspired combinations elevate this simple dish from ordinary to extraordinary.

Minimal preparation guarantees maximum impact, making this recipe a smart choice for busy cooks.

Sophisticated yet approachable, you’ll want to serve this delightful salad at every gathering: prepare to impress.

Storage Tips to Keep Your Celery Parmesan Salad Fresh

• Vacuum Sealing: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer. Remove excess air that causes quick deterioration, preserving the salad's crisp celery and delicate parmesan texture. This method extends shelf life and maintains the original flavor profile.
• Glass Container Method: Choose a clear, airtight glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Carefully layer the salad without compressing ingredients, keeping celery and parmesan separate from any moisture-producing components. Refrigerate immediately to maintain optimal crunchiness.
• Paper Towel Technique: Place a clean paper towel underneath and on top of the salad inside the storage container. Absorb excess moisture that can make vegetables soggy, protecting the salad's delightful texture. Change paper towels if they become damp during storage.

Celery Parmesan Variations With Extra Punch

• Citrus Seafood Sensation: Replace walnuts with seared scallops or grilled shrimp for a protein-packed Mediterranean-inspired variation that enhances the bright lemon undertones.
• Green Herb Garden Mix: Swap parsley with fresh chopped dill, chives, and tarragon to create a more herbaceous profile that complements the celery's crisp texture and adds layers of fresh green complexity.
• Spicy Mediterranean Crunch: Incorporate toasted pine nuts instead of walnuts and sprinkle red pepper flakes for a zesty kick that elevates the salad's Mediterranean character while maintaining its elegant simplicity.
• Vegan Umami Version: Substitute Parmesan with nutritional yeast and add capers or olives to deliver a similar salty, umami-rich depth that keeps the salad's sophisticated flavor profile intact.

A Fresh Crunch to End the Celery Parmesan Story

Crisp celery and tangy Parmesan dance together in Ina Garten’s masterful salad, creating a symphony of unexpected flavors.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients elevate this simple dish beyond ordinary side offerings.

Sophisticated palates will delight in subtle notes of anchovy, lemon, and herbs.

Shaved Parmesan adds luxurious depth while toasted walnuts provide delightful crunch.

Delicate parsley leaves bring fresh brightness to each carefully composed bite.

Readers who appreciate culinary artistry – explore, savor, and share this remarkable recipe that challenges traditional salad expectations.

Why Celery and Parmesan Salad Is Crisp and Clever

• Burst of Fresh Flavors: This salad delivers a zesty, bright taste that awakens your palate with its perfect blend of lemon, anchovy, and Parmesan.
• Transform Humble Celery: Elevate an ordinary vegetable into a spectacular dish through marinating and strategic seasoning techniques that make celery shine like a culinary star.
• Textural Masterpiece: Experience a delightful crunch from crisp celery, creamy Parmesan shavings, and toasted walnuts that create an irresistible mouthfeel in every bite.
• Effortless Gourmet Preparation: Minimal cooking required with maximum flavor impact, making this recipe a quick and impressive option for home cooks seeking restaurant-quality results in under an hour.

Everything You Need for a Bold Celery Parmesan Plate

• Olive Oil: Smooth, fruity base that helps blend flavors and carries seasoning.
• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Bright, fresh citrus notes that enhance overall taste.
• Shallots: Delicate onion flavor that adds subtle depth to the dressing.
• Celery Seed, Celery Salt: Concentrated celery essence for authentic flavor profile.
• Anchovy Paste: Umami-rich ingredient that provides rich, savory undertone.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing taste.

• Celery: Crisp, crunchy vegetable with clean, refreshing flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, aged cheese with nutty and salty characteristics.
• Parsley Leaves: Fresh herb that adds bright green color and mild herbal taste.

• Walnuts: Toasted nuts that provide rich, earthy crunch and depth.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Final seasoning for personalized taste adjustment.

How to Toss Celery and Parmesan With Precision

Step 1: Craft the Flavor-Packed Dressing

• Olive oil
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Minced shallots
• Celery seed
• Celery salt
• Anchovy paste
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix thoroughly and let the dressing sit for at least an hour to develop rich, tangy flavors.

Step 2: Prepare the Crisp Celery Base

Slice celery into thin, elegant pieces in a large mixing bowl. Splash with a touch of lemon juice and sprinkle with salt. This quick treatment helps brighten the celery’s natural crunch.

Step 3: Marinate and Infuse

Drench the celery with the prepared dressing, ensuring each piece gets a delicious coating. Cover and tuck into the refrigerator for at least an hour. This resting time allows the celery to absorb incredible flavors and become wonderfully crisp.

Step 4: Create a Stunning Salad Presentation

• Spread the marinated celery on a beautiful platter
• Use a vegetable peeler to create delicate Parmesan cheese ribbons
• Scatter toasted walnuts across the top
• Sprinkle fresh parsley leaves
• Add a final pinch of salt and pepper

Serve immediately to enjoy the perfect balance of textures and flavors.

Pro Tip: The longer the celery marinates, the more intense and delightful the flavor becomes!

Tips for Making This Salad Crunchy and Balanced

• Maximize Celery Freshness: Select crisp, bright green celery hearts from the market's freshest produce section for the best crunch and vibrant flavor.
• Master Precision Cutting: Slice celery diagonally into thin, elegant pieces to increase dressing absorption and create a delightful textural experience.
• Elevate Flavor through Marinating: Allow the salad to rest in the refrigerator for at least one hour, giving ingredients time to meld and develop a more complex taste profile.
• Unlock Walnut Potential: Gently toast walnuts in a dry skillet until fragrant, releasing their natural oils and creating a deeper, nuttier dimension to the dish.
• Preserve Parmesan Perfection: Use a sharp vegetable peeler to create delicate cheese shavings moments before serving, ensuring maximum freshness and optimal texture.

Ina Garten Celery & Parmesan Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s celery and parmesan salad offers a crisp, refreshing twist on classic Italian ingredients. Delicate celery stalks mingle with sharp parmesan, creating a light yet sophisticated side dish that elevates any meal with its simple, elegant charm.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 5 cups (1200 ml) thinly sliced celery hearts, tender leaves included, sliced on an angle (about 12 stalks)
• 4 ounces (113 grams) chunk aged Parmesan cheese
• ⅔ cup (160 ml) toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped
• Whole flat-leaf parsley leaves

Dressing Ingredients:

• ½ cup (120 ml) good olive oil
• ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon (75 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice (3 lemons)
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons minced shallots
• 1 teaspoon celery seed
• ½ teaspoon celery salt
• ½ teaspoon anchovy paste

Seasoning Ingredients:

• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Craft a zesty marinade by whisking together extra virgin olive oil, freshly grated lemon zest, 60 milliliters (¼ cup) of lemon juice, finely minced shallots, ground celery seed, celery salt, anchovy paste, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl. Allow the dressing to rest for at least one hour to develop deep, complex flavors.
2. Prepare the celery by slicing it into thin, elegant pieces and transferring to a large bowl. Drizzle with the remaining 15 milliliters () of lemon juice and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt, ensuring each slice is lightly coated and brightened.
3. Gently fold the prepared dressing into the seasoned celery, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated but not overly saturated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for a minimum of one hour, allowing the celery to absorb the marinade and become crisp and flavorful.
4. Before serving, artfully arrange the marinated celery on a serving platter. Use a vegetable peeler to create delicate Parmesan cheese shavings, scattering them generously over the celery.
5. Enhance the dish by sprinkling toasted walnuts for crunch, fresh parsley leaves for color and herbaceous notes, and a final pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to elevate the overall taste profile. Serve immediately to enjoy the optimal texture and vibrant flavors.

Notes

• Elevate the salad’s texture by slicing celery hearts thinly on a diagonal, maximizing dressing absorption and creating an elegant presentation.
• Unleash incredible depth of flavor by allowing the marinated celery to rest for at least one hour, letting ingredients mingle and develop a harmonious taste profile.
• Transform ordinary walnuts into a gourmet ingredient through careful toasting, which releases their natural oils and creates a rich, nutty undertone.
• Preserve the Parmesan’s delicate texture and vibrant taste by shaving it moments before serving, ensuring each bite delivers maximum freshness.
• Select premium ingredients like crisp celery hearts, vibrant parsley, and high-quality Parmesan to guarantee a restaurant-worthy salad experience that will impress everyone at the table.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1 cup)
• Calories: 550 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 945 mg
• Fat: 48 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 24 mg