To store celery in the refrigerator, you need to keep it cold, hydrated, and wrapped just right so it stays crisp for weeks.
It sounds simple, but celery is one of those veggies that can go from crunchy to limp faster than you’d expect if you don’t store celery in the refrigerator the right way.
If you’ve ever pulled a sad, rubbery bunch of celery out of your crisper drawer, you’re not alone.
The good news is that learning how to store celery in the refrigerator properly is easy, and once you know the tricks, you’ll never waste another stalk again.
In this post, we’ll walk through the best ways to store celery in the refrigerator, how long it lasts, and how to revive celery that’s already gone a little soft.
Let’s get to it.
How to Store Celery in the Refrigerator the Right Way
Storing celery in the refrigerator comes down to two things: moisture and airflow.
Celery is mostly water, so it needs hydration to stay crisp, but too much moisture trapped against the stalks will cause rot.
Here’s how to store celery in the refrigerator so it stays fresh:
1. Keep the Stalks Whole Until You’re Ready to Use Them
When you store celery in the refrigerator, leave the bunch whole for as long as possible.
Cutting the stalks exposes the inner flesh, which dries out quickly and speeds up spoilage.
Whole stalks hold their moisture far better, so only chop what you plan to eat that day or the next.
2. Wrap Celery in Aluminum Foil
This is the method most experts swear by when you store celery in the refrigerator.
Wrap the entire bunch tightly in aluminum foil, leaving the ends slightly open for a little airflow.
Foil lets ethylene gas escape while keeping moisture in, which is exactly what celery needs.
Celery stored this way can stay crisp for up to three to four weeks.
3. Use a Plastic Bag with a Slight Opening
If you don’t have foil, a plastic bag works too when you store celery in the refrigerator.
Place the stalks in a zip-top bag and seal it most of the way, leaving a small gap for air.
You can also wrap the celery in a dry paper towel first to soak up extra moisture before bagging it.
This keeps the celery from sitting in a puddle, which is what makes it slimy.
4. Store Celery in the Crisper Drawer
The crisper drawer is the best spot to store celery in the refrigerator because it’s designed to hold humidity.
Keep the drawer setting on high humidity for leafy vegetables like celery.
Just don’t shove the celery to the very back where it might freeze, since frozen celery turns mushy once it thaws.
5. Keep Celery Away from Ethylene-Producing Fruits
When you store celery in the refrigerator, keep it away from bananas, apples, and peaches.
These fruits release ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening and can make celery go limp faster.
A little separation goes a long way toward keeping your celery crunchy.
How Long Does Celery Last in the Refrigerator?
Celery lasts about one to two weeks in the refrigerator if you just toss it in the bag it came in.
But if you store celery in the refrigerator using foil or a paper-towel-lined bag, you can stretch that to three or even four weeks.
The key is checking on it every few days and removing any stalks that have started to soften or brown.
One bad stalk can speed up spoilage for the whole bunch, so don’t ignore it.
How to Revive Limp Celery
If your celery has gone a little soft, don’t toss it just yet.
You can often revive celery that’s lost its crunch, even after it’s been sitting in the refrigerator for a while.
Here’s how:
1. Trim the Ends
Cut a thin slice off the bottom of the stalks.
This opens up the veins so water can travel back up into the celery.
2. Soak in Ice Water
Place the celery in a bowl of ice water and let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour.
The cold water plumps the cells back up, and you’ll be surprised how crisp it gets.
3. Dry and Store Again
Once it’s revived, pat the celery dry and store celery in the refrigerator again using foil or a bag.
Just remember that revived celery won’t last as long as a fresh bunch, so use it within a few days.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When You Store Celery in the Refrigerator
A few habits can ruin your celery fast, so watch out for these:
1. Washing Before Storing
Never wash celery before you store celery in the refrigerator.
Extra water on the surface invites mold and rot, so wait until you’re ready to eat it.
2. Sealing It in an Airtight Container
A fully sealed container traps moisture and ethylene gas, which makes celery spoil quicker.
Always leave a little room for airflow.
3. Storing It Near the Back Wall
The back of the fridge is the coldest spot, and celery freezes easily.
Once frozen, the cell walls break down and the stalks turn soft and watery.
So, How Do You Store Celery in the Refrigerator?
To store celery in the refrigerator, wrap the whole bunch in aluminum foil or a paper-towel-lined bag, keep it in the crisper drawer, and leave a little room for airflow.
That simple routine keeps celery crisp for weeks instead of days.
Avoid washing it early, keep it away from ethylene-producing fruits, and revive limp stalks with an ice water soak before giving up on them.
Now that you know how to store celery in the refrigerator, you can buy it with confidence and enjoy crunchy stalks whenever you need them.