Sautéed Celery is a simple, healthy, and delicious side dish that brings out the natural sweetness and crunch of celery. While celery is often used raw in salads or as a base in soups, sautéing it adds a lovely depth of flavor and transforms it into a warm, tender, and slightly sweet vegetable. This quick and easy recipe is perfect as a side dish for weeknight dinners or as part of a healthy meal.

1. Is Celery Good Cooked?

You bet! Cooking helps to mellow out the flavours of raw celery, while adding additional flavours from all the seasonings you cook it with.

It also makes celery slightly softer and more tender to eat, but you still keep a bit of that crunch for plenty of texture.

Cooking celery is an awesome way to change things up! And if you’re not a big fan of raw celery, you may be surprised by how delicious this sautéed celery is

2. Sautéed Celery Recipe

Ingredients

  • 6-8 celery stalks, chopped (about 4 cups)
  • 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped (optional, for added flavor)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried parsley)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
  • ¼ cup vegetable or chicken broth (optional, for added moisture)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Celery

Wash the celery stalks thoroughly to remove any dirt. Use a chef’s knife to trim the ends, then slice the celery into 1/4-inch pieces. You can slice them on a slight diagonal for a more elegant presentation.

If you’re using onion, finely chop it at this stage as well.

2. Heat the Skillet

Heat 1 tablespoon of butter or olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. If you want a richer, nuttier flavor, use butter; for a lighter option, olive oil works perfectly.

3. Sauté the Onion (Optional)

If you’re using onion, add it to the skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent, but not browned. This will add a sweet, savory base to the dish.

Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

4. Sauté the Celery

Add the chopped celery to the skillet. Stir to coat the celery in the butter or oil and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the celery is tender but still slightly crisp. You want to maintain some of its crunch.

If the pan becomes too dry, add a splash of vegetable or chicken broth to help deglaze the pan and add moisture.

5. Season and Finish

Once the celery is cooked to your desired tenderness, stir in the fresh parsley (or dried parsley), and season with salt and pepper to taste.

For a bright, fresh flavor, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice just before serving.

6. Serve

Remove the sautéed celery from the heat and transfer it to a serving dish. Garnish with a little more fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm.

3. Tips for the Best Sautéed Celery

Don’t Overcook: Aim for a balance of tenderness and crunch. Overcooking the celery can make it mushy. If you prefer a bit more bite, cook it for less time.

Add Flavor with Broth: Adding a bit of broth while sautéing the celery enhances its flavor and prevents it from drying out.

Experiment with Herbs: While parsley pairs beautifully with celery, you can try other herbs like thyme, rosemary, or dill, depending on your taste preference.

4. Variations

Add Carrots: For extra color and sweetness, sauté some thinly sliced carrots along with the celery.

Spicy Twist: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or chili powder for a touch of heat.

Mushroom and Celery Sauté: Add sliced mushrooms to the pan for a heartier, earthy combination.

5. Serving Suggestions

As a Side Dish: Serve this sautéed celery alongside grilled chicken, roasted fish, or pasta for a light, healthy side.

In Salads: Let the celery cool slightly and toss it into a grain salad like quinoa or couscous for added crunch and flavor.

With Rice or Couscous: Sautéed celery pairs wonderfully with rice dishes or couscous for a simple, wholesome meal.

This Sautéed Celery recipe is a fantastic way to elevate a humble vegetable into a flavorful and healthy side dish. With minimal ingredients and effort, you’ll have a dish that’s both nutritious and satisfying. Whether you’re serving it as part of a larger meal or enjoying it on its own, this recipe is sure to become a go-to in your kitchen!

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Julia Jane is a home cook inspired by her mother's cooking. With the desire to share my cooking experiences with everyone, she created this website

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