What To Do With Wilted Celery

Wilted celery doesn’t have to go in the trash.

 

In fact, there are plenty of things you can do with wilted celery to bring it back to life or give it a delicious second purpose.

 

If you’ve ever reached into your fridge and pulled out a limp, sad-looking bunch of celery, you’re not alone.

 

It happens to the best of us.

 

But before you toss it, let me show you what to do with wilted celery so you can salvage it instead of wasting it.

 

In this post, we’ll cover how to revive wilted celery, ways to use it up, and even how to regrow it from the base.

 

Let’s dive in.

 

What to Do With Wilted Celery: Revive It First

The best thing to do with wilted celery is to revive it before using it.

 

Celery wilts because it loses water, but the good news is that it can absorb moisture back through its stalks.

 

Here’s how to bring wilted celery back to life:

 

1. The Ice Water Bath Method

This is the fastest way to revive wilted celery.

 

Just cut off the bottom of the stalks and place the wilted celery in a bowl of ice water.

 

Let it soak for about 30 minutes to an hour, and you’ll see the stalks perk right up.

 

The cold water helps the cells rehydrate, making your wilted celery crisp again.

 

2. Trim and Store in Water

Another trick for wilted celery is to trim the ends and stand the stalks upright in a glass of cold water.

 

Pop it in the fridge for a few hours, and your wilted celery will be good as new.

 

This works because the celery draws water up through its base, just like flowers in a vase.

 

3. Wrap in Damp Paper Towels

If you’re not in a rush, wrap your wilted celery in damp paper towels and place it in a plastic bag.

 

Stick it in the fridge overnight, and the moisture will slowly bring it back.

 

This method works well for mildly wilted celery that just needs a little TLC.

 

Ways to Use Wilted Celery in Cooking

If your wilted celery is past the point of reviving, don’t worry.

 

Wilted celery still has plenty of flavor and can be used in lots of recipes.

 

Here are some great ways to use up that wilted celery:

 

1. Toss It in Soups and Stews

Wilted celery is perfect for soups and stews because it softens as it cooks anyway.

 

Chop it up and add it to your favorite broth or stew recipe.

 

The flavor is still there, even if the texture isn’t as crisp.

 

2. Make a Batch of Stock

One of the best things to do with wilted celery is to make homemade stock.

 

Combine wilted celery with onions, carrots, and herbs, then simmer everything in water for a few hours.

 

Strain it, and you’ve got a flavorful stock that beats anything from a store.

 

You can even freeze wilted celery in a bag until you’re ready to make stock.

 

3. Blend It Into Smoothies or Juice

Wilted celery works great in smoothies and juices.

 

Blend it with apples, spinach, and a squeeze of lemon for a refreshing green drink.

 

The flavor of wilted celery is slightly milder, so it blends right in.

 

4. Add It to Stir-Fries

Chop up that wilted celery and toss it into a stir-fry.

 

It’ll soften quickly and soak up all the sauces and seasonings you’re using.

 

Wilted celery is actually easier to cook with because it’s already tender.

 

Can You Regrow Wilted Celery?

Yes, you can regrow wilted celery, and it’s easier than you might think.

 

Just cut off the base of the wilted celery bunch, leaving about two inches.

 

Place the base in a shallow dish of water and set it near a sunny window.

 

Change the water every couple of days, and within a week or two, you’ll see new leaves sprouting.

 

Once roots form, you can plant the base in soil and let it grow.

 

This is a fun project that gives wilted celery a whole new life.

 

So, What to Do With Wilted Celery?

Wilted celery doesn’t have to be wasted.

 

Whether you revive it in ice water, toss it into a soup, or regrow it from the base, there are countless ways to make the most of wilted celery.

 

The next time you find wilted celery in your fridge, don’t toss it.

 

Try one of these tricks and give that wilted celery a second chance.