How to Blanch Celery

Blanching Celery is the perfect way to preserve it, soften it for crudite or pre-cook it for other recipes! It’s EASY, FAST and you already have everything you need right in your kitchen!

Why This Recipe Works

• FAST
• EASY
• You already have everything you need

Here’s How You Do It

STEP 1. Boil a large pot of water. 

STEP 2. Gather supplies, cut the Celery and blanch in water for about 2 minutes. 

***Gather tongs, kitchen spider or large slotted spoon for this job. Using the tool for the Celery you are blanching, gently put the vegetables in boiling water.

STEP 3. Shocking.

***Plunge the Celery into ice water immediately to stop the cooking process. Allow to soak for 2-3 minutes. Then remove, dry on paper towels and use for your recipe.

Why Do You Blanch Celery?

There are several reasons you might blanch Celery that includes:

• Preparing for freezing
• Pre Cooking it (also called parboiling).
• Blanching to brighten the color.

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ’s

What's the Best Way To Preserve Celery? 

The best way to preserve celery is to blanch it and then freeze it! It will keep in the freezer for 6 months to a year that way! Perfect! 

Why Do You Have To Blanch Celery?

It scalds the Celery to prepare it in certain ways…

• Blanching for freezing stops the enzyme action that cause loss of color, flavor and texture.
• Blanching for pre-cooking purposes (parboiling) partially cooks the Celery so that it cooks faster in whatever application you are using it for.

What Will Happen If I Don’t Blanch the Celery Anyway?

When you simply freeze a Celery without blanching it first, the Celery is likely to become more mushy when you thaw it. The color will be less vibrant and sadly, many of the nutrients may be gone and broken down by the ice crystals.

How Long Should You Blanch Celery? 

Blanch Celery in boiling water for 2-3 minutes. You will see it change colors to a bright green and that’s how you know to remove it from the water. 

Can I Blanch Celery in the Microwave? 

Technically, it’s possible in the microwave, but it isn’t the best way to blanch Celery because the water doesn’t actually boil like it does on the stovetop.

Does Blanching Celery Remove the Nutrients? 

According to the USDA, no, it actually preserves the nutrients! 

Do I Blanch Celery for a Vegetable Tray and Crudite?

It does give fresh Celery a leg up on a crudite platter. You’ll notice it’s nice and crisp and tender  and a lovely bright color .

For your next dinner party. Offer with homemade Ranch Dressing, Tiger Sauce or Yum Yum Sauce and you won’t go wrong.

What Does a Blanched Celery Taste Like?

• Blanched Celery tastes like itself. You are not cooking the Celery completely. This simply softens it so that it is easier to eat.
• If you have ever chewed a piece of raw Celery and felt like you might as well be eating cardboard, you will appreciate  this technique!

Why Do I Need to Salt Water for Blanching?

Salting the water is a chemistry class in the works! The salted water helps keep the water INSIDE the cells of the Celery! This helps preserve flavor, texture and nutrients.

Will Salting the Water Change the Flavor of My Vegetables.

No, you won’t taste the salt from the blanching water in your Celery at all. Besides, you are going to rinse it in a shock ice bath after blanching!

Tips and Tricks 

• Gather all of your tools, pots and pans and other equipment before starting this project. You don’t want to have hot water bubbling away and not have everything else you need.
• Put water in a large bowl in the sink but don’t add the ice until you are just ready to plunge the Celery in. That way your ice won’t all melt before you need it.
• Only put a few pieces of Celery into the heated water at first. You don’t’ want to reduce the simmer with the Celery you put in. Things will go more quickly if you do fewer pieces at a time.
• Remove the iced Celery to a colander or a towel lined baking sheet to drain. You will want the Celery as dry as possible before packing into the freezer bags.
• Here’s where you can read more about Celery than you wanted to know! Here's great info on Celery from the Agricultural Marketing Center.
  

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How to Blanch Celery

Blanching Celery is the perfect way to preserve it, soften it for crudite or pre-cook it for other recipes! It’s EASY, FAST and you already have everything you need right in your kitchen!

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Course: Side

Cuisine: American

Keyword: blanching broccoli, How to blanch broccoli

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes minutes

Ice bath: 2 minutes minutes

Total Time: 14 minutes minutes

Servings: 10 servings

Calories: 7kcal

Author: Wendi Spraker

Ingredients

• 2 Tbs kosher salt
• 1 lb celery

Instructions

• Put on 1 gallon of water to boil in a large stock pot over high heat. Add the salt to the water.
• Pour 2 quarts of water into a large bowl and set this into the kitchen sink.
• Line a baking sheet with paper towels or have a colander ready to go.
• Cut the Celery into 3-4 inch stalks.
• When the water is boiling, reduce to medium high.
• Add the Celery to the simmering water and allow to pre-cook for 2-3 minutes.
• While the celery is simmering, add 4 Cups ice to the water bowl.
• As soon as the Celery begins to change colors and brighten, remove from the boiling water with a slotted spoon, kitchen spider or tongs and plunge into the waiting ice bath to shock it and stop the cooking process.
• Allow to sit in the iced water for 2 -3 minutes. Remove to the waiting tray with paper towels or to the colander.

Notes

• Gather all of your tools, pots and pans and other equipment before starting this project. You don’t want to have boiling water bubbling away and not have everything else you need.
• Put water in a large bowl in the sink but don’t add the ice until you are just ready to plunge the Celery in. That way your ice won’t all melt before you need it.
• Only put a few pieces of broccoli into the boiling water at first. You don't’ want to reduce the simmer with the Celery you put in. Things will go more quickly if you do fewer pieces at a time.
• Remove the iced Celeryi to a colander or a towel lined baking sheet to drain. You will want the Celery as dry as possible before packing into the freezer bags.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

How to Blanch Celery

Amount Per Serving

Calories 7 Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Fat 1g2%

Saturated Fat 1g5%

Sodium 1432mg60%

Potassium 118mg3%

Carbohydrates 1g0%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 204IU4%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 18mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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