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    Home » Recipes » All salads

    How to Peel and Cut Celery Root

    Published: Feb 28, 2023 · Modified: Oct 4, 2024 by Nataliia

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Discover the best techniques how to peel and cut celery root with our helpful guide. Perfect for adding to salads, soups, stews, and more.

    A cutting board with different celery root cut in 4 different way: cubed, sliced, julienne, shred.
    Different ways to cut celeriac to use in recipes.
    Jump to:
    • What is celery root?
    • How to peel celery root
    • How to cut the celery root
    • How to use celeriac?
    • Herbs and spices
    • Tips and tricks
    • Can I freeze celery root?
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    What is celery root?

    Celery root, also known as celeriac, is the type of root vegetable that is closely related to celery, but it is grown specifically for its root. It is not the same plant as regular green celery stalks we buy in grocery stores. 

    Celery root has a round shape and usually weighs around 1-2 pounds. It has a rough, knobby, brown exterior and a creamy white interior. The tough skin is edible but needs to be peeled. 

    The Celeriac flavor is similar to the green celery stalk, but it is more nutty and earthy. It reminds me of a mild radish. 

    The root’s texture changes depending on whether it is raw or cooked. Raw celery root is crunchy, slightly fibrous, and firm, similar to a turnip. 

    When cooked, celeriac becomes softer and tender. You can easily mash it into a puree.

    Celery root is a good source of fiber, Vitamins B, K, and C. 

    Brown, round root vegetable with bumpy, rough skin on a cutting boar.
    Celeriac has a bumpy, tough skin

    How to peel celery root

    Due to its shape and rough exterior, it can be hard to peel the celery root. I tried to use a vegetable peeler, but it did not work very well as the skin is too bumpy and tough. That’s why you need a chef’s knife and a cutting board to peel the celery root. 

    Below are step-by-step directions with images of how to peel celeriac: 

    Step 1: Rinse and scrub celeriac under cold water to remove any dirt and debris. 

    Whole brown celery root under running water over the sink.

    Step 2: Using a sharp knife, trim off both the top and bottom ends of the root.

    A large root with its tops cut off on a wooden cutting board.

    Step 3: Stand the celery root uptight on one of its flat ends on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to carefully slice off the thick skin in strips, following the shape of the vegetable. Continue rotating and slicing until all the skin is removed. Cut out any visible bumps or dark spots you may have missed. 

    Celeriac with tops cut off and few strips of skin peeled.

    Step 4: Rinse peeled celeriac once more time to remove any peels or dirt. Now you can cut the root. 

    Peeled white celeriac on a wooden cutting board.

    How to cut the celery root

    Depending on the recipe and the cooking method, you can cube, julienne, slice, or shred celery root. You will need a cutting board, knife, and a grater box (for shredding)

    Cube

    1. Cut the celery root in half, vertically.
    2. Place one of the halves and place it flat-side down on the cutting board. Cut it into slices, about ½ inch thick. You can make large or small cubes.
    3. Stack 3-5 slices on top of each other and cut them into the same thickness sticks.
    4. Turn the strips perpendicular to your knife, and cut across them into cubes. Repeat the process with the other half.
    4-image collage with the step-by-step pictures how to cube the root: cut in half, cut into slices, cut into strips, cut vertically into uneven cubes.
    You can chose to make smaller or bigger cubes.

    Julienne

    1. cut the peeled celery root in half. Place one of the halves and place it flat-side down on a cutting board.
    2. Cut celery into slices that are about ⅛ inch thick. Thin and as even as possible.
    3. Stack them up and slice them into strips that are about ⅛ inch wide. Repeat with the other half.
    Half of the celery root is sliced into half circles and then sliced into thin matchsticks.
    Try to make the matchsticks as even as possible.

    Slice

    1. You can slice the celery into large or smaller slices.
    2. For large slices, place the whole peeled root on a cutting board and cut it crosswise into thin, even slices that are about ¼ inch thick.
    3. To make them smaller, cut the root in half or quarter it before slicing.
    Peeled white celery root cut into thin half moon sliced.
    Slice it into full circles, half or quarter circles.

    Grate/shred

    You can use a box grater or a food processor to grate the root. 

    1. Pick a smaller or larger shred size on your box grater. 
    2. Cut the peeled root in half so it is easier to hold it. 
    3. Shred the celery root against the grater in a downward motion. Be sure to watch your fingers. 
    4. Once you have a small chunk left, discard it or chop it into small pieces. 
    a chunk of white vegetable being grated using box grater. A heap of shredded white vegetable and a stainless steel box grater on a wooden cutting board
    Grated celery root is great for making a slaw.

    How to use celeriac?

    My favorite way to enjoy Celeriac is in the form of a salad. It crispy and fresh when raw, and has a soft tender texture when steamed.

    Try our Céleri Rémoulade salad, made with raw julienned celery root, or German celery salad, which is made with boiled cubed celeriac.

    You can also add celeriac to soups, stews or roast it in the oven to serve it as a side dish.

    It can make a great alternative to mashed potatoes.

    Herbs and spices

    Celery root has a slightly sweet taste and earthy flavor. It pairs well with a variety of spices and herbs, but also is good as it with just a sprinkle of salt:

    • Thyme
    • Dried or fresh parsley
    • Cumin
    • Sage
    • Black or white pepper

    Tips and tricks

    • store whole unpeeled celery root in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Once you wash it, it is advised to peel and consume it within 3-4 days.
    • rinse the root before and after peeling.
    • you can use the peels to make vegetable stock.
    • squeeze some lemon juice on top of the peeled celery root to prevent it from browning.
    • you can store peeled celery roots in a plastic bag or air-tight container for about 3 days.

    Can I freeze celery root?

    Celery root can be frozen when prepared properly. First, wash and peel the celery root. Cut it into cubes. Blanch cubed celeriac in hot water for about 5 minutes.

    Drain and let it dry, or use some towels to pat it dry.

    Once it cools down, transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze it for up to 3 months.

    To defrost it, place it on the bottom shelf of your refrigerator overnight.

    Once it thaws, consume within a few days.

    Frequently asked questions

    Is celery root related to celery?

    Celery root and green celery are closely related but not the same. They come from two different varieties of the same plant species. Celery stalks are grown for their stems, while celeriac for its root.

    Can you eat raw celery root?

    Yes, you can eat celery root raw. It has a crispy texture and earthy flavor.

    Is celeriac good for you?

    Yes, celeriac is a healthy root vegetable that is rich in fiber, antioxidants Vitamins B, C and K. With it’s creamy texture and low amount of carbohydrates, it can be a great alternative to potatoes.

    Recipe

    A cutting board with different cuts of celery root: cubed, sliced, julienne.

    How to Peel and Cut Celery Root

    Nataliia
    Discover the best techniques how to peel and cut celery root with our helpful guide. Perfect for adding to salads, soups, stews, and more.
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2
    Calories 42 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 chef's knife
    • 1 cutting board
    • 1 box grater

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 celery root
    • 2 cups water, for rinsing.

    Instructions
     

    • Rinse celery root under cold water to get rid of any dirt.
    • Lay it on a side and cut off both ends.
    • Stand the celery root on one of its flat ends.
    • Use a sharp knife to slice off the tough skin in strips (from top to bottom), following the shape of the root until all the skin is removed. Check for any bumps or dark spots you may have missed.
    • Rinse the root again. Now, you can slice, cube, julienne or shred the celery root depending on your recipe.

    Notes

    • rinse the root twice – before and after peeling.
    • you can use the peels to make the stock.
    • celery root can be eaten raw or cooked

    Nutrition

    Serving: 100gCalories: 42kcalCarbohydrates: 9.2gProtein: 1.5gSodium: 100mgFiber: 1.8gSugar: 1.6g
    Keyword celeriac, how to cut clelery root, how to peel celery root
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