How To Properly Store Celery In The Fridge

To properly store celery in the fridge, you need to keep it cold, keep it humid, and stop it from drying out.
 
When you store celery in the fridge the right way, it stays crisp for up to two weeks instead of going limp in a few days.
 
The good news is you don’t need fancy gadgets to store celery in the fridge.
 
A little foil, a bit of water, or a simple container is often all it takes.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to store celery in the fridge, the mistakes that make it go soft, and the easiest methods to keep those stalks crunchy.
 

How to Properly Store Celery in the Fridge

Learning how to properly store celery in the fridge comes down to one main enemy: moisture loss.
 
Celery is mostly water, so when it loses that water, it wilts fast.
 
Here’s how to store celery in the fridge so it stays firm and fresh.
 

1. Start With Dry, Fresh Celery

Before you store celery in the fridge, make sure the stalks are dry.
 
Extra moisture on the surface invites mold and slime.
 
If you just washed your celery, pat it down with a clean towel first.
 
Only store celery in the fridge once it’s dry to the touch.
 

2. Trim the Base but Keep the Stalks Whole

You can store celery in the fridge as whole stalks or cut pieces, but whole lasts longer.
 
Trim just the very bottom of the base if it looks brown.
 
Keeping the stalks attached helps them retain moisture better, so it’s smart to store celery in the fridge this way whenever you can.
 

3. Wrap It in Aluminum Foil

One of the best ways to store celery in the fridge is to wrap it loosely in aluminum foil.
 
Foil lets ethylene gas escape while keeping humidity in, which is exactly what celery needs.
 
When you store celery in the fridge wrapped in foil, it can stay crisp for weeks.
 
Just don’t wrap it too tight, because celery needs a little airflow.
 

Best Ways to Store Celery in the Fridge

There’s more than one way to store celery in the fridge, so pick the method that fits your routine.
 

1. The Foil Method

Wrap the whole head of celery loosely in foil and place it in the crisper drawer.
 
This is the simplest way to store celery in the fridge and works great for whole stalks.
 

2. The Damp Paper Towel Method

If you plan to store celery in the fridge as cut sticks, wrap them in a damp paper towel.
 
Then place the wrapped celery in a zip-top bag or airtight container.
 
The damp towel keeps the humidity high, which helps celery stay crunchy.
 

3. The Water Method

You can also store celery in the fridge by standing the stalks upright in a jar with an inch of water.
 
Cover the top loosely with a plastic bag and change the water every couple of days.
 
This keeps the celery hydrated and is a lovely way to store celery in the fridge if you have the space.
 

4. The Freezer Option

If you can’t use it all in time, you can store celery in the freezer for soups and stews.
 
Chop it up, blanch it briefly, and freeze it in bags.
 
It won’t be crisp for snacking, but it’s perfect for cooking.
 

Common Mistakes When You Store Celery in the Fridge

Even when you try to store celery in the fridge correctly, a few habits can ruin it.
 

1. Storing It Wet

If you store celery in the fridge while it’s still wet, it spoils quickly.
 
Always dry it first before you store celery in the fridge.
 

2. Using a Sealed Plastic Bag

Sealed bags trap ethylene gas and moisture, which speeds up decay.
 
If you must store celery in the fridge in a bag, add a paper towel to absorb extra moisture.
 

3. Keeping It Near Ethylene Producers

Fruits like apples and bananas release ethylene gas that makes celery age faster.
 
So when you store celery in the fridge, keep it away from those fruits.
 

4. Leaving It in the Door

The fridge door has the warmest temperatures.
 
To store celery in the fridge properly, use the crisper drawer instead.
 

So, How Do You Properly Store Celery in the Fridge?

To properly store celery in the fridge, keep it dry, wrap it in foil or a damp towel, and tuck it into the crisper drawer.
 
You can also store celery in the fridge in a jar of water or freeze it for later cooking.
 
Avoid sealing it in plastic, storing it wet, or leaving it near ethylene-producing fruits.
 
Follow these tips and you’ll know exactly how to store celery in the fridge so it stays crisp and ready to enjoy.