This delicious celery slaw is an easy celery salad recipe that is packed full of bright flavors and lots of crunch. Earthy celery is paired with tart apples, toasted almonds and pistachios, funky blue cheese, and punchy parsley and it’s tossed with a lemony olive oil vinaigrette that sings. If you’re wondering, “What can I do with lots of celery?” or “What can I add to celery to make it taste better?” or “How do you make celery taste good and healthy?” look no further. You’re going to love this celery salad recipe by California Grown Creator Alison Needham from A Girl Defloured.

From Alison:

You’d be hard pressed to find a vegetable that I don’t like. Sure, when I was little I thought I didn’t like certain veggies (looking at you peas). But as my palate matured, I learned that just about all vegetables when they are at peak freshness (and cooked properly) are delicious. Thankfully in California we have access to the freshest vegetables, many of them year-round, celery included.

Did you know that the California grows 99% of the domestic celery crop in the United States? Though celery was considered for years to be just a supporting character in soups and stews, or relegated to kindergarten snacks — hello there, ants-on-a-log — today, celery is kind of a superstar. At least amongst the healthy juicing crowd. But I’m here to tell you that celery is a delicious vegetable on its own, worthy of being the leading lady (er veggie). And this celery salad recipe is just one way we love to enjoy it at my house. We also love this simple recipe for Braised Celery (that Julia Child also happened to love), this classic Cream of Celery Soup, and this light and refreshing Celery Gin Gimlet.

If there’s anything I love more than meeting farmers and the folks who work so hard to grow our food (and our wine), it’s creating recipes with beautiful, fresh produce from California. Scroll all the way down for more of my California grown-inspired recipes.

How Healthy is Raw Celery?

I’m so glad you asked! Celery is a very healthy food, not to mention the fact that it is also just plain delicious. Here are just a few reasons why you should be eating more of it:

• Celery is high in fiber and water and is good for gut health
• Celery is high in antioxidants including vitamin C, beta carotene, and flavonoids
• Celery contains at least 25 different compounds that can help reduce inflammation in the body
• Celery contains vitamins A, K, and C, plus minerals like potassium and folate 
• Celery is low calorie and has a low glycemic index which means it helps regulate your blood sugar
• Celery contains magnesium, iron and sodium, all of which can have an alkalizing effect that helps neutralize acids

How to Make the Best Celery Salad Recipe on the Internet

This celery slaw is so crunchy, flavorful and delicious. Be sure to look for celery from California. By looking for (and asking for) produce from the Golden State you’re not only reducing your carbon footprint but you can feel good about supporting local farming families. For this celery salad recipe, be sure to look for bright green celery that is crisp.

Ingredients:

• Celery – look for the freshest you can find
• Apples – I like to use tart, crunchy apples cut into match sticks
• Blue cheese – make sure to look for the Real California Milk seal when buying your cheese. My favorite for this salad is Point Reyes Original Blue Cheese, but any firm and funky blue cheese will work here
• California almonds and pistachios – lightly toasted nuts add a ton of flavor to this celery salad recipe
• Fresh parsley – adds additional color and flavor
• The celery slaw is tossed with an easy dressing that includes freshly squeezed lemon juice, honey, California EVOO and minced shallots

From an early age, Alison Needham has been pondering life’s one big question – what’s for dinner? She’s been a content creator, recipe developer and food photographer for more than two decades. Alison lives in Southern California with her husband, an assortment of quirky pets and occasionally one (or all three) of her young adult children. For more of her recipes visit her website.

BE SURE TO SHARE YOUR FAVORITE CELERY RECIPES WITH US BY SNAPPING A PIC AND TAGGING US ON SOCIAL USING #CAGROWN. 

Craving more CA Grown goodness? Check out these insanely delicious recipes for celery. And don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest for fresh and fabulous recipe inspiration!

Easy Celery Slaw – A Delicious Celery Salad Recipe

Alison Needham | A Girl Defloured

This delicious celery slaw is an easy celery salad recipe that is packed full of bright flavors and lots of crunch. Earthy celery is paired with tart apples, toasted almonds and pistachios, funky blue cheese, and punchy parsley and it’s tossed with a lemony olive oil vinaigrette that sings. Serve it as a side dish, or use it to top a sub sandwich filled with buffalo-style meatballs.

4.59 from 17 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 327 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 bunch celery about 8-10 stalks
• 1 crisp tart apple such as granny smith or pink lady
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup chopped pistachios
• 3 ounces firm blue cheese crumbled (about 1/2 cup)
• 1/4 cup chopped curly leaf parsley

For the Dressing

• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice from about 1 1/2 lemons
• 1/4 cup minced shallot
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• salt + pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Remove the stalks from the bunch of celery and wash well. Cut off the white root ends and the leafy tops. Thinly slice the celery into 1/4 inch slices and place in a large salad bowl.
• Cut the apple into matchstick sized pieces. It's not necessary to peel it. Add to the bowl with the celery.
• Place the almonds and pistachios into a small pan and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until lightly toasted, about 5 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning. Set aside to cool.
• Crumble the blue cheese and add to the salad bowl along with the apples and celery. Add the parsley and cooled nuts and toss everything to combine.

Make the dressing

• Put the lemon juice, shallot, honey and mustard in a 12 ounce jam jar, close lid tightly and shake to combine. Add olive oil and shake again until smooth. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste.
• Drizzle the dressing over the top of the slaw and toss well to combine. Taste again for seasoning and add additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately.

Notes

This dressing can be made several days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. The dressed salad keeps well for a few days, covered in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1portionCalories: 327kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 8gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 269mgPotassium: 320mgFiber: 3gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 266IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 1mg

Keyword almonds, Apples, Celery, Celery Salad Recipe, Celery Slaw, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, Pistachos

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Looking for even more of Alison’s recipes inspired by the bounty of the Golden State? We’ve got you covered!