You can keep celery in the refrigerator for about one to two weeks if it’s stored properly.
That’s the short answer, but how long your celery actually lasts depends on a few key factors.
If you’ve been wondering how long you can keep celery in the refrigerator, the honest truth is that it can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.
Fresh, crisp celery from the store usually holds up well when you store it right, while limp or older stalks won’t last nearly as long.
In this post, we’ll explore how long celery lasts in the fridge, how to store it so it stays crunchy, and the signs that tell you it’s time to toss it.
Let’s get to it.
How Long Can You Keep Celery in the Refrigerator?
The answer to how long you can keep celery in the refrigerator depends on how you store it, but most fresh celery lasts between one and two weeks.
If you wrap it properly and keep it in the right part of your fridge, you can keep celery in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or even a little longer.
Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
1. Unwrapped Celery Lasts Only a Few Days
If you toss celery into the fridge without any wrapping, it will dry out fast.
Unwrapped celery usually lasts only three to five days before it starts to go limp.
The cold air in the fridge pulls moisture out of the stalks, leaving them rubbery.
2. Wrapped Celery Lasts One to Two Weeks
When you wrap celery in aluminum foil or place it in an airtight bag, you can keep celery in the refrigerator for one to two weeks.
The wrapping traps the natural moisture and ethylene gas, which helps the celery stay crisp.
This is the sweet spot for most people who want fresh celery on hand.
3. Cut Celery Lasts About a Week
Cut celery stalks don’t last as long as whole ones.
Once you chop celery, you can keep it in the refrigerator for about five to seven days in a sealed container.
Cut celery loses moisture faster, so it dries out sooner than whole stalks.
How to Store Celery So It Lasts Longer in the Refrigerator
Knowing how long you can keep celery in the refrigerator is one thing, but storing it right is what makes the difference.
Here are the best ways to keep celery fresh:
1. Wrap It in Aluminum Foil
Aluminum foil is one of the best ways to store celery.
Wrap the stalks tightly in foil and place them in the crisper drawer.
The foil lets ethylene gas escape while keeping moisture in, so your celery stays crunchy for up to two weeks.
2. Use an Airtight Container with Water
If you’ve cut your celery into sticks, place them upright in a container with an inch of water.
This keeps the stalks hydrated and can help you keep celery in the refrigerator for about a week.
Just change the water every couple of days to keep it fresh.
3. Keep It in the Crisper Drawer
The crisper drawer is the best spot for celery because it controls humidity.
Store celery away from fruits like apples and bananas, which release ethylene gas that can make celery go bad faster.
4. Don’t Wash Until You’re Ready to Use It
Washing celery before storing adds extra moisture that can lead to mold.
Instead, wash the stalks right before you eat or cook them.
This small habit can help you keep celery in the refrigerator a few days longer.
5. Freeze It If You Can’t Use It in Time
If you can’t use your celery within two weeks, you can freeze it.
Frozen celery won’t be crisp, but it works great in soups, stews, and smoothies.
Blanch the stalks first, then freeze them in airtight bags for up to three months.
Signs Your Celery Has Gone Bad
Even when you follow all the right steps, celery will eventually go bad.
Here are the signs that tell you it’s time to throw it out:
1. It’s Limp and Rubber
If your celery bends easily and feels rubbery, it has lost its moisture.
You can sometimes revive limp celery by soaking it in ice water for 30 minutes.
But if it stays limp, it’s past its prime.
2. The Color Turns Yellow or Brown
Fresh celery is a bright, pale green.
If the stalks turn yellow or brown, that’s a sign of aging and you should toss it.
3. It Smells Off or Feels Slimy
Slimy celery is a clear sign of spoilage.
If the stalks feel sticky or smell sour, don’t eat them.
This is a sign that bacteria or mold has taken over, and no amount of rinsing will fix it.
So, How Long Can You Keep Celery in the Refrigerator?
You can keep celery in the refrigerator for about one to two weeks when it’s stored properly.
Wrapping it in foil or keeping it in an airtight container in the crisper drawer helps it stay crisp much longer than leaving it unwrapped.
Cut celery lasts about a week, while frozen celery can last up to three months.
Watch for limp stalks, yellow color, and slimy textures to know when it’s time to let it go.
Follow these tips and you’ll always know exactly how long you can keep celery in the refrigerator.