Keep celery crisp by storing it properly.
First, look for bright green stalks and avoid those with yellow or brown discoloration or spotting.
Leaves should be vibrant and not wilting.
Claudia Totir/Getty Images
You want to be able to break the celery ribs easily.
The leafy vegetable gives off ethylene gas, a chemical compound that causes it to ripen quickly.
Keeping celery in the plastic bag traps this gas, speeding up its inevitable expiration.
So, ditch the plastic bag and wrap celery in aluminum foil instead.
This step helps trap moisture so the celery stays crunchy.
Wrap the entire stalk in aluminum foil and place it in thecrisper drawerof your refrigerator.
Stored this way, celery stalks can last for up to four weeks.
Unlike whole celery, cut celery loses its moisture quickly.
Without aluminum foil to trap moisture, youll need to submerge it in water to keep it hydrated.
Can You Freeze Celery?
You canand shouldfreeze celery you dont plan on using right away.
This saves money and cuts down on food waste.
Raw celery lasts up to two months when frozen.
However, it’s great for cooking and adding to recipesand thawing is not required.
Similarly, add frozen celery to stocks, stuffing recipes, casseroles, and stir-fries.
To get your veggies in early in the day, add celery to a breakfast smoothie.
They’re perfect for a morning boost or an afternoon pick-me-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your celery has become rubbery, it’s because of moisture loss.
But don’t despair: You don’t have to toss it.
To save celery that has become rubbery, simply revive it in some water.
Place it in the fridge for best results, and then enjoy crispy, firm celery.
Wrapping celery in a damp paper towel before storing it is a good way to help it retain moisture.
However, using aluminum foil to wrap the celery yields the best results.
Whichever way you wrap the celery, store it in the fridge’s crisper drawer.
Despite your best efforts to store celery and keep it fresh longer, sometimes celery will spoil.
You’ll know it’s no longer good when the celery stalks are limp and can be bent.
Additionally, the celery’s color will look faded.
Of course, if you see signs of mold or the celery is slimy, you should toss it.