Does Celery Go Bad? How to Tell if Celery is Bad
Does Celery Go Bad?
Ever wondered how to tell if celery is bad. Today I’ll share the signs to look for to know that celery has gone bad. We’ll also share the best storage tips to extend celery shelf life along with some great recipes that have celery in them.
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Contents
What Is Celery?
Celery is a plant in the Apiaceae family. This family also includes carrots, parsley, fennel, and dill. The part of the celery that we eat is the stalks.
Celery leaves are also edible but are often used as garnishes or in soups and stocks.
The celery that we eat today is thought to have originated in the Mediterranean region. Celery was first mentioned in a Greek medical text from around 600 BCE. The Romans grew and consumed celery, as well.
What Does Celery Taste Like?
Celery has a long, fibrous celery stalk with leaves attached. The stalks are crunchy and have a slightly sweet taste. Celery leaves are more bitter than the stalks.
Is Celery Healthy?
Celery is mostly water, but it does contain some vitamins and minerals. It is a good source of vitamin K and also contains vitamins A, C, and B6.
Celery also contains minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. It has many health benefits and is a great food to keep in your vegetable bin.
Does Celery Go Bad?
Celery can go bad, but it takes a while. Properly stored, celery can last for up to two weeks in the fridge. You don’t want to eat limp celery and so you’ll want to use your celery stalks in plenty of time before it is no longer fresh.
Old celery has less nutrition than fresh celery as it begins to break down. If celery is wilted or has brown leaves, it is beginning to go bad.
Signs That Fresh Celery Has Gone Bad
There are several signs to look for to know if celery has gone bad. The first sign is discoloration.
Discoloration
Fresh celery is a light green color and celery that has gone bad will start to turn brown. The leaves will also be yellow and the stalks will become limp. Limp celery is still edible but won’t have the same crunch as fresh celery.
Bad Smell
Celery that has gone bad will also start to smell sour. If you notice a foul smell, it is best to throw the celery away. Rotten celery or spoiled celery will smell very bad.
Mould
If celery starts to grow mold, it should be discarded immediately. Mold can spread quickly and contaminate other food in your fridge. If you find mould on your raw celery then it’s time to throw it away.
Bugs
If you see small bugs crawling on celery, it’s time to throw it out. These bugs can contaminate other food in your kitchen and are a sign the celery’s shelf life has come to an end.
Slime
When storing celery it may become slimy. Slime is a sign of bacteria and means the celery has gone bad.
Taste
If celery tastes sour or bitter, it has gone bad and should be thrown out. When celery starts to go bad, it will lose its crunch. It will lose all the excess moisture and will become dry and rubbery.
How to Store Celery Correctly
Celery should be stored in the fridge, in either the crisper drawer, or wrapped in a damp paper towel.
Storing celery in the vegetable drawer of your fridge is the best way to keep it fresh.
If you have a lot of chopped raw celery, you can also use a plastic bag in the fridge or store it in an airtight container.
Celery will last longer if it is stored properly. Be sure to check celery regularly and use it
If celery is going to be stored for more than a few days, it’s best to wrap it in aluminum foil. This will help it stay fresh for up to two weeks.
Can You Freeze Celery?
Yes, celery can be frozen. To freeze celery, wash it and cut it into the desired size. Then, place it in a freezer bag and squeeze out as much air as possible.
Freezer bags are great for freezing celery. You can place chopped raw celery or whole celery stalks into a bag or freezer-safe container.
Celery is a good food storage item as celery is so versatile and therefore defrosted celery can be used in many different recipes.
How To Defrost Frozen Celery
There are two easy ways to defrost celery. The first is to place the celery in the fridge overnight. The second way is to place the celery in a bowl of ice water.
If you’re in a hurry, you can also defrost celery in the microwave. Just place the celery on a plate and microwave it on the defrost setting for a few minutes.
Once the celery is defrosted, it should be used within a few days.
Does Celery Go Bad? How to Tell if Celery is Bad
Celery can go bad, but it takes a while. Properly stored, celery can last for up to two weeks in the fridge and 6 months in the freezer.
How to Use Celery
Celery is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes. Here are some ideas:
-Sliced celery can be added to salads or eaten as a snack with dip.
-Chopped celery can be added to soup or stew.
-Celery leaves can be used as a garnish.
-Celery can be juiced or blended into a smoothie.
-Use cooked celery in a stir fry or as a side dish.
Celery is a healthy food that is packed with nutrients. It’s a great addition to any diet and can be enjoyed in many different ways in both cold and cooked dishes.
Recipes That Use Celery
Now that we’ve answered the question, “Does celery go bad?” let’s move on to some delicious recipes that feature this crunchy vegetable.
Celery Soup
This soup is a great way to use up celery which is starting to go bad. It’s simple to make and can be easily adapted to your liking. You’ll love cooking this soup as it’s an easy and simple recipe.
Ingredients:
-1 onion, chopped
-3 stalks of celery fresh and chopped
-4 cups of vegetable broth
-1 potato, peeled and diced
-1 tablespoon of olive oil
-Salt and pepper to taste
(You can also add other popular vegetables that you may have and need to use up)
Instructions For Making This Soup
1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and celery and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the vegetable broth and potato and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt.
Celery Salad
This salad is a refreshing and healthy way to use celery. It’s perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish and the lush green leaves can be used as a garnish.
Ingredients:
-3 stalks of celery, thinly sliced
-1 apple, cored and thinly sliced
-1/4 cup of raisins
-1/4 cup of walnuts, chopped
-2 tablespoons of lemon juice
-1 tablespoon of olive oil
-Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions For Celery Salad
1. In a large glass bowl, combine the celery, apple, raisins, and walnuts.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and olive oil.
3. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve immediately or store in the fridge for later.
Celery Juice
Celery juice is a popular health drink that is said to have many benefits. If you’re looking for an easy way to use up celery, this is it!
Ingredients:
-1 bunch of celery, washed and trimmed.
-1/2 inch ginger, peeled (optional)
-1 apple, cored (optional)
Instructions For Making Celery Juice
1. Run the celery and ginger (if used) through a juicer.
2. Add the apple (if using) and blend until smooth.
3. Pour into a glass and drink immediately.
Celery Smoothie
This smoothie is a great way to use up celery that is on the verge of going bad. It’s also a great way to get your daily dose of fruits and vegetables.
Ingredients:
-1 stalk of celery, chopped
-1 banana, sliced
-1 cup of spinach
-1 cup of almond milk
-1 tablespoon of honey (optional)
Instructions For Making Celery Smoothies
1. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour into a glass and drink immediately.
3. Enjoy!
Enjoy Your Celery Recipes And Keep It Fresher For Longer!
Here are some more recipe that use celery:
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Instant Pot Gumbo With Sausage And Shrimp
Now that you know how to store celery and how to tell when it’s gone bad, you can enjoy your celery recipes and keep them fresher for longer!
Thanks for reading.
Angela Milnes is a Qualified Early Years Teacher who has specialised in teaching. She has a wealth of experience teaching young children and adults. Angela has also taught cooking classes and loves to share both family recipes and easy instant pot recipes here on The Instant Pot Table. Follow her on Pinterest!
