You peel a celery root by first cutting off the top and bottom ends so it sits flat on your cutting board.
Then you use a sharp knife to slice away the thick, knobby skin in downward strips, following the curve of the root.
After the skin is removed, you can cube, slice, or grate the peeled celery root for soups, salads, or mashes.
If you’ve ever stared at a lumpy celery root in your kitchen and wondered how to peel a celery root without losing half of it to the trash, you’re not alone.
Learning how to peel a celery root is actually simpler than it looks once you know the right technique and tools.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how do you peel a celery root, the best methods for getting that tough skin off, and a few tips to make the job faster and safer.
Let’s get to it.
How Do You Peel a Celery Root Step by Step
When you peel a celery root, the goal is to remove the rough outer layer while keeping as much of the creamy white flesh as possible.
Here’s how to peel a celery root the right way:
1. Gather the Right Tools
To peel a celery root, you’ll want a sharp chef’s knife, a sturdy cutting board, and a vegetable peeler if you have one.
A paring knife is also handy for getting into the deep crevices and knobs.
Don’t try to peel a celery root with a dull knife because it will slip and you could hurt yourself.
A sharp knife makes peeling a celery root much safer and faster.
2. Trim the Top and Bottom
The first real step when you peel a celery root is to slice off the top where the stalks were attached.
Then cut off the bottom root end too.
This gives you a flat surface so the celery root stays stable while you peel it.
A wobbly celery root is dangerous, so never skip this step when you peel a celery root.
3. Cut Away the Skin in Strips
Now you’re ready to peel a celery root by slicing downward along the sides.
Start at the top and cut away the brown, fibrous skin in thick strips, following the natural curve.
Rotate the celery root as you go until all the skin is removed.
When you peel a celery root this way, you lose less flesh than if you tried to hack at it randomly.
If you have a good vegetable peeler, you can also use it to peel a celery root, but a knife often works better for the knobby parts.
4. Dig Out the Deep Crevices
Celery root has lots of little folds and crevices where dirt hides.
After you peel a celery root, use the tip of your paring knife to dig out any remaining dark spots or grit.
Rinse the peeled celery root under cold water to wash away any leftover dirt.
This step is important because nobody wants gritty soup.
5. Keep Peeled Celery Root from Browning
Once you peel a celery root, the flesh starts to oxidize and turn brown if you leave it sitting out.
To prevent that, drop the peeled celery root into a bowl of cold water with a squeeze of lemon juice.
This keeps it looking fresh while you finish peeling the rest.
If you peel a celery root ahead of time, store it in the fridge covered in lemon water for up to a day.
Best Techniques to Peel a Celery Root
There’s more than one way to peel a celery root, and the method you choose depends on your comfort level and what tools you have.
Here are the most common ways to peel a celery root:
1. The Chef’s Knife Method
This is the classic way to peel a celery root and the one most chefs use.
You cut off the ends, stand the root upright, and slice downward to remove the skin.
It takes a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, you can peel a celery root in just a couple of minutes.
2. The Vegetable Peeler Method
If the celery root is relatively smooth, a heavy-duty vegetable peeler can work.
You just run the peeler along the surface to peel a celery root, much like you would a potato.
The downside is that peelers struggle with the deep knobs, so you’ll still need a knife for those spots.
3. The Boiling Shortcut
Some people boil the celery root for about 10 minutes before peeling.
This softens the skin and makes it easier to peel a celery root with just your hands or a paring knife.
It’s a great trick if you’re short on time or if the celery root is especially tough.
4. The Roasting Method
You can also roast a whole celery root until the skin chars and loosens.
After it cools, the skin slips off easily and you barely have to peel a celery root at all.
This method gives the flesh a lovely smoky flavor too.
Common Mistakes When You Peel a Celery Root
Even experienced cooks make mistakes when they peel a celery root.
Here are a few things to watch out for:
1. Peeling Too Deeply
If you peel a celery root too aggressively, you waste a lot of the edible flesh.
Try to take off just the brown skin and the thin fibrous layer right beneath it.
2. Skipping the Trim
Never try to peel a celery root without trimming the ends first.
A flat base keeps the root steady and protects your fingers.
3. Letting It Brown
As soon as you peel a celery root, get it into lemon water.
Otherwise the flesh turns an unappetizing gray-brown color.
So, How Do You Peel a Celery Root?
You peel a celery root by trimming the ends, slicing off the thick skin with a sharp knife, and digging out any deep crevices.
It’s not complicated, but it does take a steady hand and the right tools.
Once you know how to peel a celery root, you can use it in soups, purees, and roasts without any trouble.
So grab that knobby root, sharpen your knife, and give it a try.
Before you know it, you’ll peel a celery root like a pro.