You can cook with celery leaves in soups, stir-fries, salads, and even smoothies.
Celery leaves are the leafy tops of the celery stalk, and they’re completely edible.
They taste like a stronger, more concentrated version of celery itself, with a pleasant hint of parsley.
So if you’ve been tossing them in the trash, you’ve been missing out on free flavor.
In this post, we’ll look at what to cook with celery leaves, plus how to prep and store them.
Let’s get right into it.
What to Cook With Celery Leaves: The Basics
When you’re wondering what to cook with celery leaves, the answer is simpler than you might think.
Celery leaves work anywhere you’d use fresh herbs or celery itself.
Here’s why they’re such a versatile ingredient:
1. They Pack Serious Flavor
Celery leaves taste like celery but bolder.
That means a small handful goes a long way in any dish.
They bring a fresh, slightly peppery note that brightens up heavy foods.
So when you cook with celery leaves, you’re basically getting a free herb and vegetable in one.
2. They’re Nutrient-Dense
Celery leaves are loaded with vitamins A, C, and K.
They also contain potassium and antioxidants.
So cooking with celery leaves adds nutrition without any extra cost.
That’s a win for your wallet and your body.
3. They Reduce Food Waste
Most people chop off the leaves and throw them away.
But once you know what to cook with celery leaves, you’ll never waste them again.
You can use them the same day you buy a bunch of celery.
Or you can freeze them for later.
Easy Recipes Using Celery Leaves
Now let’s talk about actual dishes.
If you’re asking what to cook with celery leaves, these ideas will get you started fast.
1. Toss Them Into Soups and Stocks
Celery leaves are perfect for soups and stocks.
They add depth to chicken noodle soup, vegetable broth, and minestrone.
Just chop them up and add them near the end of cooking.
That way they keep their bright flavor and color.
If you’re making a stock, toss in the leaves along with the stalks and simmer away.
2. Blend Them Into Pesto
You can cook with celery leaves by making a celery leaf pesto.
Swap half the basil for celery leaves and blend with garlic, nuts, olive oil, and parmesan.
The result is a fresh, vibrant sauce that’s great on pasta or toast.
It’s one of the best answers to what to cook with celery leaves because it uses a lot of them at once.
3. Add Them to Stir-Fries
Stir-fries love celery leaves.
Toss a handful into the wok during the last minute of cooking.
They wilt slightly and release their aroma into the whole dish.
This works great with chicken, beef, tofu, or shrimp.
4. Sprinkle Them Over Salads
If you want a no-cook option, chop celery leaves finely and sprinkle them over salads.
They add a crunchy, herbal kick that pairs well with tomatoes, cucumbers, and vinaigrette.
You can also use them as a garnish for potato salad or coleslaw.
5. Mix Them Into Smoothies
Yes, really.
Celery leaves blend beautifully into green smoothies.
Pair them with banana, spinach, and pineapple for a refreshing drink.
So if you’re stuck on what to cook with celery leaves, remember that “cook” can mean “blend” too.
How to Prep and Store Celery Leaves
Before you cook with celery leaves, you need to prep them right.
Here’s the simple process:
1. Wash Them Thoroughly
Celery leaves trap dirt and grit.
Rinse them under cold water and pat them dry with a towel.
A salad spinner works even better.
2. Chop or Leave Whole
For soups and stocks, leave them whole.
For salads and pesto, chop them finely.
The stems are edible too, so don’t toss those.
3. Store Them Properly
Wrap dry celery leaves in a paper towel and place them in a zip-top bag.
They’ll keep in the fridge for about a week.
You can also freeze them in ice cube trays with olive oil or water.
That way you always have them ready when you want to cook with celery leaves.
4. Use Them Within a Few Days
Fresh celery leaves lose flavor fast.
So try to use them within three to five days of buying celery.
After that, they get limp and bitter.
If they do wilt, toss them into a soup anyway.
So, What to Cook With Celery Leaves?
You can cook with celery leaves in soups, pesto, stir-fries, salads, and smoothies.
They’re flavorful, nutritious, and completely free once you buy a bunch of celery.
So the next time you’re prepping celery, don’t throw those leaves away.
Now you know exactly what to cook with celery leaves, so get in the kitchen and put them to good use.