To peel and cut celery root, you’ll first slice off the top and bottom, then stand it upright and remove the thick, knobby skin with a sharp knife, following the curve of the vegetable.
Once peeled, you can cut celery root into whatever shape your recipe calls for—cubes, matchsticks, or thin slices.
It might look intimidating at first, but learning how to peel and cut celery root is actually pretty straightforward once you know the technique.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to peel and cut celery root, plus a few tips to make the process easier and safer.
Let’s get into it.
How to Peel and Cut Celery Root Step by Step
Peeling and cutting celery root comes down to a few simple steps that anyone can master.
The key is using a sharp knife and working carefully around the vegetable’s irregular shape.
Here’s how to peel and cut celery root properly:
1. Start by Trimming the Ends
Begin by placing your celery root on a sturdy cutting board.
Use a sharp chef’s knife to slice off the top and the bottom of the vegetable.
This creates flat, stable surfaces on both ends, which is crucial when you peel and cut celery root because it prevents the vegetable from rolling around.
Cut off just enough to expose the flesh underneath, usually about half an inch on each side.
2. Stand It Upright and Slice Down the Sides
With the bottom flat side resting on the board, hold the celery root steady with one hand.
Take your knife and slice downward along the sides to remove the thick, brown skin and any knobby bits.
Follow the natural curve of the vegetable as you go, since celery root is rarely a perfect sphere.
When you peel and cut celery root this way, you remove only the tough outer layer and keep as much of the white flesh as possible.
Rotate the vegetable after each cut until all the skin is gone.
3. Don’t Forget the Crevices
Celery root has plenty of little crevices where dirt and fibrous bits love to hide.
After the main peeling, use the tip of your knife or a small paring knife to dig out any remaining dark spots or rough patches.
Some people also use a vegetable peeler for the smoother areas, which works well once the tough outer skin is off.
This step matters because those hidden spots can taste bitter and gritty if you leave them in.
Being thorough here is what separates a clean peel from a mediocre one.
4. Cut Into Your Desired Shape
Now that your celery root is fully peeled, it’s time to cut it into the shape you need.
For cubes, slice the vegetable into thick slabs first, then cut those slabs into sticks, and finally chop the sticks into cubes.
For matchsticks or julienne, simply cut the slabs into thin, even strips.
If your recipe calls for slices, lay the celery root on its side and cut thin rounds.
How you cut celery root really depends on the dish, but even, consistent pieces will always cook more evenly.
Tips for Peeling and Cutting Celery Root Without the Hassle
Learning to peel and cut celery root gets easier with a little practice, but these tips will speed things up right away.
1. Use a Sharp Knife
A dull knife is the number one reason people struggle when they peel and cut celery root.
Celery root is dense and firm, so a sharp blade cuts through it cleanly instead of slipping or crushing the flesh.
Sharpen your knife before you start, and the whole job will feel much safer and quicker.
2. Keep a Bowl of Acidulated Water Nearby
Celery root browns quickly once it’s exposed to air, much like apples or potatoes.
As soon as you peel and cut celery root, drop the pieces into a bowl of cold water with a squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of vinegar.
This simple trick keeps the flesh bright and white until you’re ready to cook.
3. Save the Scraps for Stock
The peelings and trimmings you remove when you peel and cut celery root don’t have to go in the trash.
Wash them well and toss them into a pot with onions, carrots, and herbs to make a flavorful vegetable stock.
It’s a great way to get extra value out of the whole vegetable.
So, How Do You Peel and Cut Celery Root?
To peel and cut celery root, you trim the ends, stand it upright, slice away the skin in downward strokes, clean out the crevices, and cut it into whatever shape your recipe needs.
It’s a simple process once you’ve done it a time or two, and a sharp knife plus a bowl of acidulated water makes it even easier.
Now that you know how to peel and cut celery root, you can confidently add this versatile vegetable to soups, roasts, and salads whenever a recipe calls for it.