Cooking with celery root is easier than most people think, and it can turn into everything from a silky mash to a crispy snack.
Also known as celeriac, this knobby vegetable looks a little intimidating at first, but once you know how to cook with celery root, it becomes a regular in your kitchen.
It has a mild celery flavor with a hint of parsley and nuttiness, so it plays well in soups, roasts, and salads.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to cook with celery root, from picking the best one at the store to prepping it and turning it into a few tasty dishes.
Let’s get into it.
How to Cook With Celery Root: The Basics
Learning how to cook with celery root starts with choosing a good one and knowing how to handle its tough exterior.
Here’s what you need to know before you start cooking.
1. Pick a Firm, Heavy Celery Root
When you’re buying celery root, look for one that feels heavy for its size.
A good celery root is firm, not squishy, and the skin should be fairly smooth without too many deep cracks.
Smaller ones tend to be more tender, while larger ones can be woody in the center.
If you can, give it a little sniff.
It should smell faintly of celery, which means it’s fresh.
2. Peel It Properly Before Cooking
The skin of celery root is thick, knobby, and not pleasant to eat.
To prep it, cut off the top and bottom so it sits flat on your cutting board.
Then use a sharp knife to slice away the skin, following the curves of the root.
A vegetable peeler can work for the smoother parts, but a knife is usually faster and wastes less.
Once peeled, cut the celery root into chunks or slices, depending on your recipe.
Drop them into a bowl of cold water with a squeeze of lemon if you’re not cooking right away, because celery root browns quickly once exposed to air.
3. Know the Best Cooking Methods
You can cook celery root in almost any way you’d cook a potato.
Boiling, roasting, mashing, and even frying all work beautifully.
It also shreds well for raw salads, where it adds a crisp, refreshing crunch.
So if you’re wondering how to cook with celery root, the answer is simple: treat it like a potato with a celery accent.
Easy Ways to Cook Celery Root
Once you know how to cook with celery root, you’ll find it fits into almost any meal.
Here are three of the easiest and most delicious ways to use it.
1. Make a Creamy Celery Root Mash
Celery root mash is one of the best introductions to this vegetable.
Peel and cube one large celery root along with two or three potatoes.
Boil them in salted water until fork-tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Drain, then mash with butter, warm milk or cream, salt, and a pinch of nutmeg.
The result is silky, slightly sweet, and way more interesting than plain mashed potatoes.
It’s a great side for roast chicken, steak, or a cozy weeknight dinner.
2. Roast Celery Root With Olive Oil and Herbs
Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of celery root.
Cut the peeled root into one-inch cubes, toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh thyme or rosemary.
Spread them on a baking sheet in a single layer and roast at 425°F for about 25 to 30 minutes.
Flip them halfway through so they brown evenly.
You’ll end up with golden, caramelized edges and a tender, creamy interior.
This is one of the simplest ways to cook celery root, and it pairs well with almost any protein.
3. Turn It Into a Warming Celery Root Soup
Celery root soup is comfort in a bowl.
Sauté chopped onion and garlic in a pot, then add peeled, cubed celery root and a potato for body.
Pour in enough vegetable or chicken stock to cover everything, and simmer until the vegetables are soft.
Blend until smooth, then stir in a splash of cream or coconut milk.
Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten it up.
This soup freezes well, so you can make a big batch and enjoy it later.
4. Shred It Raw for a Crunchy Salad
You don’t always have to cook celery root.
Peel it and shred it finely, then toss with lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, and a little mayonnaise.
Add shredded apple, parsley, and toasted walnuts for a remoulade-style salad that’s crisp and tangy.
It’s a great make-ahead dish for picnics or potlucks.
Tips for Cooking Celery Root Perfectly
A few small tricks make cooking celery root even easier.
Always taste a small piece raw before cooking, because older roots can be slightly bitter.
If yours tastes strong, a pinch of sugar in the cooking water helps balance it.
Save the peelings and trimmings to simmer in stock for extra flavor.
And don’t toss the leaves if they come attached, as they make a nice garnish.
Celery root also pairs well with apples, potatoes, leeks, and nutmeg, so keep those on hand.
Once you get comfortable cooking with celery root, you’ll start adding it to stews, gratins, and even air-fryer fries.
So, How to Cook With Celery Root?
Cooking with celery root is easy once you peel away the tough exterior and treat it like a potato with a built-in celery flavor.
You can mash it, roast it, soup it, or shred it raw, and each method brings out a different side of this underrated vegetable.
The key is to pick a firm root, peel it well, and season it with ingredients that complement its mild, nutty taste.
Whether you’re making a cozy mash or a crispy batch of roasted cubes, knowing how to cook with celery root opens up a whole new world of side dishes and mains.
So grab one at the store this week and give it a try.
You might just find your new favorite root vegetable.