Ina Garten’s Crunchy Celery Salad Recipe for Fresh Flavor

Crisp celery transforms ordinary salads into extraordinary culinary experiences with unexpected freshness and vibrant textures.

Green stalks bring remarkable versatility and surprising nutritional power to meal preparations.

Raw and crunchy, this humble vegetable offers remarkable depth beyond typical side dish expectations.

Ancient cultures prized these slender green stems for their medicinal and digestive properties.

Nutritionists regularly highlight celery’s low-calorie profile and impressive mineral content as significant wellness boosters.

Balanced ingredients and thoughtful preparation can elevate this simple vegetable into a standout dish that delights both health-conscious and flavor-seeking individuals.

Bold and refreshing, this salad promises a delightful sensory journey that challenges traditional recipe boundaries: get ready to transform your plate!

How to Make Celery Stand Out

Step 1: Gather Salad Ingredients

• Crisp celery stalks
• Ripe avocados
• Creamy chickpeas
• Crumbly feta cheese
• Fresh dill fronds

Step 2: Craft Zesty Dressing

• Bright lemon zest
• Tangy lemon juice
• Fragrant garlic cloves
• Punchy shallots
• Smooth Dijon mustard
• Robust red wine vinegar
• Silky olive oil

Blend until the mixture transforms into a velvety elixir. Sprinkle kosher salt and cracked black pepper to elevate the taste. Taste and fine-tune the seasoning for maximum deliciousness.

Step 3: Toss and Serve Instantly

Drizzle the vibrant dressing over your vegetable medley. Gently fold everything together, ensuring each ingredient gets coated with the zesty blend. Serve immediately to capture the salad’s peak freshness and prevent avocados from losing their beautiful green hue.

Pro tip: Enjoy within moments of preparation for the most spectacular flavor experience!

Tips for Texture and Flavor Harmony

• Prep Ahead for Crunch: Chop celery and store in cold water to maintain its crisp texture before assembling the salad.
• Balance Flavors Perfectly: Taste the dressing before adding to the salad and adjust seasoning with a pinch of salt or a splash of lemon juice for a bright, zesty profile.
• Slice Celery Strategically: Cut celery on a diagonal to create elegant, wider pieces that catch more dressing and look beautiful on the plate.
• Customize with Add-ins: Experiment by tossing in toasted nuts like almonds or pecans for extra crunch and depth of flavor.
• Serve at the Right Temperature: Let the salad sit at room temperature for 10 minutes after chilling to allow flavors to meld and ingredients to soften slightly.

How to Store Celery Salad Without Limping

• Meal Prep Storage: Chop fresh celery and store in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb moisture, keeping it crisp for up to 5 days. Separate the dressing ingredients in small sealed jars to maintain maximum flavor and prevent soggy components.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Position the salad in the coolest part of your refrigerator, typically the back shelf, where temperature remains most consistent. Use glass containers with tight-fitting lids to preserve texture and prevent odor absorption from other foods.
• Ingredient Preservation: Remove any wilted or browning celery pieces before storing to prevent faster deterioration. Wrap remaining fresh celery stalks in aluminum foil, which helps maintain moisture and extends freshness for nearly two weeks.

Creative Swaps for Celery Centered Salads

• Mediterranean Herb Remix: Replace dill with a mix of fresh oregano, mint, and parsley for a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile that brings zesty freshness to the salad.
• Spicy Southwestern Kick: Add roasted jalapeños, swap red wine vinegar for lime juice, and include black beans alongside chickpeas to create a bold, southwest-style vegetable salad with a spicy edge.
• Protein Power Boost: Incorporate grilled chicken or seared shrimp to transform this light salad into a substantial main course, maintaining the original bright and tangy dressing while adding extra protein.
• Seasonal Autumn Version: Substitute fresh celery with roasted butternut squash, add toasted pumpkin seeds, and include crisp apple chunks to create a seasonal interpretation that captures fall's rich, comforting flavors.

Celery Salad Conclusion

Ina Garten’s celery salad emerges as Mediterranean magic on plate, bridging fresh ingredients with sophisticated flavor profiles.

Mediterranean culinary traditions dance through each crisp bite, celebrating seasonal vegetables and harmonious textures.

Mediterranean ingredients like chickpeas and feta create complex layers of satisfaction beyond standard salad expectations.

Dill-infused dressing whispers bright notes across crunchy vegetables, elevating simple ingredients into extraordinary experience.

Vibrant green elements interplay with tangy cheese, creating balanced nutrition packed with Mediterranean charm.

Foodies will crave this recipe’s elegant simplicity – share this masterpiece, comment with passion, and spread culinary joy across social platforms.

Why Celery Salad Is a Crisp Surprise

• Burst with Fresh Herb Flavor: Dill adds a bright, zesty punch that transforms this simple salad into a vibrant, aromatic dish packed with refreshing herbal notes.
• Celebrate Effortless Texture Harmony: Creamy feta, crisp celery, and soft chickpeas create a delightful mix of textures that dance together in every single bite, making each mouthful exciting and satisfying.
• Quick and Foolproof Preparation: With just a blender for the dressing and minimal chopping, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in under 15 minutes, perfect for busy home cooks who want maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients That Bring Crunch and Brightness

• Celery: Crisp and light vegetable that provides a crunchy base for the salad.
• Chickpeas: Protein-packed legume that adds substance and texture to the dish.
• Avocado: Creamy ingredient that brings richness and smoothness to the salad.
• Shallots: Mild onion-like vegetable that adds a delicate, sharp flavor.

• Feta Cheese: Tangy Greek cheese that provides a salty and creamy element.

• Dill: Fresh herb that brings a bright, aromatic flavor to the dressing.
• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Citrus components that add zesty, fresh brightness.
• Garlic: Pungent ingredient that provides depth and complexity to the dressing.
• Dijon Mustard: Sharp condiment that helps emulsify and add tang to the dressing.
• Red Wine Vinegar: Acidic component that balances and enhances the dressing's flavor.
• Olive Oil: Smooth, rich base that helps blend and soften the dressing's flavors.

• Kosher Salt, Cracked Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance overall taste.

Ina Garten Celery Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s celery salad brings crisp, refreshing Mediterranean flavors to your table with minimal effort. Parmesan, lemon, and olive oil create a simple yet sophisticated salad that delights palates and elevates any meal you serve.

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Ingredients

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Vegetables and Herbs:

• 1 head romaine lettuce, finely sliced
• 2 whole Persian cucumbers, cut into small dice
• 1 bunch celery, cut into small dice
• 1 cup fresh dill (adjust to taste if desired)
• 1 small shallot
• 2 cloves garlic

Proteins and Dairy:

• 15 ounces (425 grams) canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• ½ cup (60 grams) feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 ripe avocados, diced

Dressing and Seasonings:

• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Gather and chop all vegetables into uniform, bite-sized pieces, ensuring precise and consistent cuts for optimal texture and presentation.
2. Drain and rinse chickpeas thoroughly, patting them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture and prevent diluting the dressing.
3. Carefully zest the lemon using a microplane grater, capturing only the bright yellow outer layer and avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
4. Peel and mince garlic cloves using a sharp knife, creating fine, uniform pieces that will distribute evenly throughout the dressing.
5. In a high-powered blender, combine fresh dill fronds, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, finely chopped shallots, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil.
6. Blend the dressing ingredients until completely smooth and emulsified, creating a creamy and well-integrated mixture.
7. Season the dressing with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, tasting and adjusting the seasoning to achieve a balanced flavor profile.
8. Crumble feta cheese into delicate, irregular pieces, ensuring even distribution throughout the vegetable mixture.
9. Immediately before serving, drizzle the prepared dressing over the vegetables and chickpeas, gently tossing to coat each ingredient thoroughly.
10. Serve the salad promptly to maintain optimal freshness and prevent avocado from oxidizing and browning.

Notes

• Prep Veggies Ahead: Chop all vegetables early and store in airtight containers to save time when assembling the salad.
• Customize Crunch Levels: Choose softer or crispier vegetables based on personal texture preferences for a personalized salad experience.
• Use Fresh Ingredients: Select seasonal, ripe vegetables for maximum flavor and nutritional value in your final dish.
• Dressing Balance: Taste and adjust dressing seasoning gradually to ensure perfect flavor without overpowering the fresh vegetables.
• Storage Tips: Keep salad components separate until serving to maintain optimal texture and prevent early wilting.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 42 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg