Celery root is mainly used in salads and soups. When used raw, it is crunchy and crispy. So, it’s an excellent addition to a salad. However, you should not forget to first remove the vegetable root’s skin before you use it in any recipe.
If you happen to run out of it, you can ransack your kitchen for the following alternatives
- Carrot
- Parsnip
- Jicama
- Potatoes
- Daikon radish
- Fennel bulb
- Parsley root
Of course, this is not the full list which we will share in detail below. But first let us understand abit more about the benefits of using this ingredient.
15 Best Substitute For Celery Root
round celery root isolated on white background, set
Celery root is a vegetable gotten from the celeriac plant. Celery root provides your body with antioxidants that can help you fight inflammation. It is an excellent source of vitamins B-complex, C, and K, and minerals, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus.
It’s pretty flexible in that you can eat it raw, and you can also eat it cooked. Interestingly, this vegetable tastes like turnips and potatoes when it is cooked. So, you may not be surprised if they work as substitutes for the celery root.
We also recommend carrots as one of the best substitute for celery root because they can replace taste (sweet) and texture (crunchy).
Of course, you can also experiment with the remaining substitutes mentioned below.
Carrot
Many say that carrots are the best substitutes for celery root. They are pretty easy to find. Like celery root, carrots can be eaten raw or cooked.
Whether cooked or not, the carrot is healthy and nutritious. It can recreate the celery root’s sweet taste and be used in salads and soups.
Moreover, the carrot can also be used in many other dishes that call for celery root as an ingredient. However, it will not have the same aroma. The taste can make up for that.
Parsnip
Another excellent substitute is the parsnip. It is a good choice because it has a similar taste. However, the aroma will change since this ingredient has a more potent herbal smell.
It has a similar crunchy texture to the celery root and carrot. It has many health benefits. So, it’s a good fit for the healthy celery root.
After cooking it, you may notice that it is sweeter than what it is trying to replace. Otherwise, the substitution is good.
Jicama
Jicama can also serve as a substitute for celery root. It has a similar texture and even has the same mild taste you are looking for in celery root.
You need to peel jicama’s skin off and slice it into thin sticks. They are a delicious way to stay healthy. You don’t even need much time to cook it.
Jicama can also be eaten raw, and when you do cook it, it doesn’t lose its flavor and crunchiness.
Potatoes
As mentioned earlier, potatoes have a similar taste to celery root. Because of the similarity in taste, they are great substitutes.
When cooked, they may taste a little savory and contain fiber, vitamins, and minerals at low calories.
Daikon Radish
Not only does the daikon radish look like carrots, but they can also work as substitutes for celery roots. They have green, edible tops and can be eaten raw or cooked. They are best added to salads and fried foods.
Daikon radish can also be added to meat dishes. So, you can be assured of getting a more balanced meal.
Fennel Bulb
Fennel bulb is another ingredient that can replace celery root because it has the same sweet flavor and crunchy texture. It has a white portion and also a stalk that sprouts green leaves.
Like celery root, you can eat fennel bulbs raw. Its taste is very close to celery, too. It offers you a nutritious substitute that also tastes good.
However, it will cook faster than celery root because of its softer texture. So, you should reduce cooking time to avoid it getting mushy.
Parsley Root
You can also replace celery root with another vegetable root – parsley root. It has a beige color but has a crispy texture similar to celery root. It is very nutritious and can work well with recipes that call for celery root.
When you cook it, its texture will turn silky. It has a creamy taste when cooked. It is very nutritious and can work well in many different ways of cooking: boiled, steamed, or even baked.
Chopped Celery
Chopped celery can replace celery root because they are about the same. The chopped ones will provide the same taste but more juiciness.
Chopped celery will also provide saltiness along with the required crunchy texture. It would be great for any recipe that needs celery root.
Turnip
This common root can also be used as a substitute for celery root. It has a firm and crunchy texture, which makes it a great replacement.
When a turnip is cooked, it has an earthy, nutty, and sweet taste. So, you can say that it is similar in taste and texture to the celery root. You will have no problem using it for any recipe that calls for celery root.
Rutabaga
Rutabaga is another root that can replace the celery root. Its leaves are similar to that of cabbage’s but smoother. Its flesh is firm and yellow.
If you are familiar with rutabaga, you will know how different it is from celery root. Yet, it works well enough for most recipes. It has a sweet and savory flavor when cooked.
You can add rutabaga to celery root recipes that are raw, cooked, roasted, and mashed. You may even add them to stews and soups.
Kohlrabi
When raw, Kohlrabi has a firm and crispy texture that works well as a celery root substitute. It is a bulb-like vegetable that tastes like many other substitutes, such as parsnips.
If you haven’t tried it yet, you can think of it as similar to broccoli, cauliflower, or cabbage in taste. At least, that is the case when it is raw.
When cooked, Kohlrabi is sweet, making it even closer to celery root and parsnips. Its color may vary, but its taste remains the same.
Butternut Squash
Butternut squash can also work as a celery root substitute even though it is not a root vegetable. It works because it has a celeriac flavor and a texture that still makes it work as a replacement.
However, you may want to add celery salt, celery seeds, or celery leaves to emphasize the taste.
Butternut squash is naturally sweet. So, a dash of salt can help create a balance. Its orange or dark yellow color makes it different, but the texture still makes it suitable. It can be quite mushy when cooked, however.
You need to use a little bit of it when using as a celery root substitute because you don’t want its color to overwhelm the dish. You can combine it with other root vegetables for the balance.
Celery Salt
Because we’ve already mentioned how butternut squash can benefit from a dash of celery salt, let us look at this ingredient. When using sweet substitutes for celery root, you may need to balance things with salt.
Don’t forget to be careful with your portion to not overwhelm your dishes.
What is celery salt, anyway (Levko, 2022)? It is made up of ground celery seed combined with salt. It acts as a substitute for both celery root and salt.
However, it may not be able to provide you with the fresh and sweet taste of celery root. Combine it with substitutes that can provide the textures and flavor profiles better.
Celery Seeds
Celery seeds can also work. They come from wild celery plants and taste like celery stalks and celery. So, it is no surprise that they can be excellent substitutes for celery root.
Take note, though, that they have a richer flavor. So, you need a smaller portion of it to replace celery root. One teaspoon of it can replace two medium-sized celery roots.
The best thing about this substitute is the earthy flavor, but it cannot provide you with the original’s starchy consistency.
Celery Stalk
The celery stalk is often eaten raw and is the most commonly used celery form. It provides a crisp texture. So, it is well-known as a salad addition or even as a snack vegetable, pretty much like a carrot.
However, you need a lot of celery stalks to replace celery root for any one recipe. It is worth it because it can provide an excellent flavor substitution.
Celery Root Substitute Related FAQs
Can you substitute celeriac for celery?
Yes, you can. One of the best celery substitutes is celeriac. It has the distinct smell and flavor that you need from the original ingredient. So, you can also substitute celery for celeriac.
Is celery the same as celery root?
Both celery and celery root belong to the same vegetable family. However, celery root (celeriac) is not the same as the celery you shop for in the supermarket.
Celery root is planted for its base or root, thus its name. Meanwhile, celery is cultivated for its leaves and stalk.
Both celery root and celery have a fresh taste. Still, celery root has a more distinctive earthy taste that is closer to turnip taste.
What herb can you use to replace celery root?
Suppose you are not too concerned about texture. In that case, you can use various herb seasonings to replace the flavor of celery root. You can use celery salt, lemon, black pepper, white pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, dill seed, or parsley.
When do you need a celery root substitute?
You need to find a replacement when:
- You’ve run out of celery root.
- Your celery root supplies have spoiled due to not being used or stored correctly.
- You want to be more adventurous with textures and flavor profiles.
Where do you buy celery roots?
You can buy celery roots in fresh markets and supermarkets. It should be easy to find as long as it’s in season. The good news is that it is always in season.
When should you buy celery root?
Since we’ve mentioned the season, celery root is best bought from autumn to early spring. However, it should be available all year long. Pick celery roots that weigh heavy and feel firm in your hands.
They are more likely fresh if you still see the stalks attached.
