Pickled celery is a delightful and tangy condiment that adds a burst of flavor to various dishes. It's an easy pickle recipe that uses simple ingredients to transform fresh celery into a crunchy, tangy snack. Whether you're looking to jazz up your salads, sandwiches, or charcuterie boards, pickled celery is a great way to add a bit of zest. Let's dive into this quick pickled celery recipe and learn how to make your own pickles at home.
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Ingredient Notes
Celery Stalks
Fresh celery is the star of this recipe. Look for a big bunch of celery with firm, crisp stalks. You can use celery sticks for a classic look or cut celery into small pieces or long pieces depending on how you plan to serve them.
Vinegar Brine
The vinegar brine is crucial for pickling. This recipe uses a combination of white vinegar and apple cider vinegar for a balanced, tangy flavor. You can also experiment with white wine vinegar or rice vinegar for a different twist. The key is to use equal amounts of water and vinegar to create the pickling liquid.
Mustard Seeds and Red Pepper Flakes
These spices add a little kick and complexity to the pickled celery. Mustard seeds give a slight crunch and subtle flavor, while red pepper flakes add a hint of heat. Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your spice preference.
Salt and Sweetener
Kosher salt is used to season the brine, while a bit of honey or sugar can balance the tanginess of the vinegar. You can adjust the sweetness to your taste.
Instructions
Prepare the Celery: Wash and trim the celery stalks. Cut them into your desired shape—celery sticks for snacking, small pieces for salads, or long pieces for garnishing.
Prepare the Jars: Place a slice of ginger, a garlic clove, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and mustard seeds at the bottom of each mason jar. This ensures the spices are evenly distributed throughout the pickles.
Make the Brine: In a small saucepan, combine the water, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, honey, and kosher salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring until the salt and honey are dissolved.
Add the Brine to the Jars: Pour the hot liquid over the celery in the jars, ensuring the celery is fully submerged. Allow the pickling liquid to cool to room temperature.
Seal and Refrigerate: Once the jars have cooled, screw on the lids and place the jars in the refrigerator. Let the pickled celery sit for at least 24 hours before eating. The flavor will continue to develop over time, and the pickled celery will last for up to 2 months in the fridge.
How to Serve Pickled Celery
- Salads: Add pickled celery to your favorite salads for an extra tangy crunch. It's a perfect addition to potato salad, egg salad, or tuna salad.
- Sandwiches: Use pickled celery in sandwiches and wraps to add a zesty bite. It's great in chicken salad sandwiches or as a garnish in deli sandwiches.
- Snacks: Enjoy pickled celery as a healthy snack straight from the jar. It’s a delicious way to use leftover celery.
- Charcuterie Boards: Include pickled celery on charcuterie boards for a refreshing contrast to rich cheeses and meats.
Tips, Tricks, and Alterations
- Different Vinegars: Try using rice vinegar or white wine vinegar for a different flavor profile.
- Additional Vegetables: You can pickle other vegetables alongside celery, such as carrots, green beans, or red onions.
- Spice Variations: Customize the spice mix with coriander seeds, dill seeds, or bay leaves for a unique taste.
- Storage: Always store pickled celery in an airtight mason jar in the refrigerator for the best result.
Pickled celery is a simple and tasty dish that can add a flavorful twist to a variety of meals. With just a few ingredients and some easy steps, you can make a batch of tangy, crunchy pickled celery that will last in the fridge for up to 2 months. Use it as a snack, side dish, or garnish to add a little extra flavor to your favorite foods. If you like pickled vegetables check out Pickled Daikon Radish, Pickled Carrots, and Pickled Onions. Experiment with different spices and vinegars to create your own unique pickling blend.
If you’ve tried this Pickled Celery recipe or any other recipe on BalancingBowls, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see more tasty meals and anything else I’m up to.
Recipe
Pickled celery
Equipment
- 3 12 oz jars
Ingredients
- 1 lb of fresh celery cut into desired shape
- 1- inch fresh ginger
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Place a slice of ginger, a garlic clove, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and mustard seeds at the bottom of each mason jar.
- Cut the celery into desired shapes.
- In a small saucepan, combine water, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, honey, and kosher salt. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Pour the hot brine over the celery in the jars, ensuring the celery is fully submerged.
- Allow the jars to cool to room temperature, then screw on the lids and refrigerate.
- Let sit for at least 24 hours before enjoying. Pickled celery will keep for up to 2 months in the refrigerator.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!