The Best Way To Store Celery So It Stays Perfectly Crisp For Longer

There's nothing that crisps up a dish (or drink) faster than fresh, raw celery. But you won't get that trademark crunch if your celery is wilted, limp, and otherwise past its prime. To make sure celery stays fresh for as long as possible, we consulted Southern chefs on their tips and advice.

Where To Store Celery?

Celery should be stored in the crisper drawer of the fridge so it stays cold without too much interruption. If your fridge has options, choose the zone for high humidity, which is preferable for green vegetables.

"Celery is a mainstay in my kitchen," says Atlanta chef Jennifer Hill Booker. "It's versatile, adding subtle flavor and a big crunch to every dish."

How To Store Celery

Here's how Booker suggests storing celery:

1. Pull the stalks apart.
2. Wash them and trim one inch from the bottom.
3. Place them in a container filled halfway up with water and place them in the refrigerator.

Expert-Approved Tips for Storing Celery

Separating celery is key to keeping it fresh and usable:

• Rinse properly: "After trimming the ends of the celery and removing the leaves, which can be saved for other uses, separate the stalks and rinse under cool water to remove any dirt or sand," advises Brian Landry.
• Store in zipper bags: "Once we break down the head of celery into outer ribs, hearts, and clean scraps, we store them in zipper bags or sealable containers," says Jason Stanhope. "The green leaves can be bitter, but are tasty when blanched, ground, and used in pasta doughs or spaetzle.
• Store in ice: Stanhope also advises shaving the ribs thin on a mandoline and storing them in ice water, which makes the celery "curl up and stay satisfyingly crispy," he says. "The celery curls look fancy and are a great addition to salads, fish preparations, and beyond.” 

Can You Store Celery In Aluminum Foil?

Yes, you can. “Tin foil is your friend when it comes to preserving celery," says Landry.

The chef opts for aluminum foil as his preferred storage solution. He pats the stalks dry with paper towels and wraps them in foil before placing them in the crisper drawer. 

"This should keep the celery fresh for up to 2 weeks," he says. "Ethylene gas can accelerate ripening and spoilage and the foil allows it to escape. The foil also helps control the moisture in the celery, allowing just enough moisture to escape while preventing the celery from drying out.”