Can you freeze celery?
Can you freeze celery sticks? Yes it’s possible ! If you blanch it before freezing it, you can keep celery for about 12 to 18 months in the freezer. If you do not blanch it, you must consume it within 2 months of freezing.
However, it will lose its crunchiness. That’s why it’s best to use your thawed celery in soups, stews, and other hot dishes.
You will not be able to eat your thawed celery stalk raw. It will also not be ideal for stir-fries or other dishes in which the celery stalk needs to remain a bit crunchy.
How to freeze celery?
- Start by cleaning your celery stalk to remove any dirt. If the branches are still attached, separate them so that you can remove the dirt lying around the bottom. Remove discolored branches.
- Then, cut the branches into pieces of the size and shape you are used to using for your soups or stews. It is easier to cut the branches now than to try to cut them later when frozen.
- You can skip this step if you plan to use your frozen celery within 2 months. But for longer storage, it is essential to blanch your celery. Blanching neutralizes the enzymes responsible for plant decomposition and kills bacteria. Boil water in a saucepan and fill a basin with cold water. Keep the basin close to the stove because you will need to have it close at hand. Once the water boils, put the celery pieces in a metal colander and plunge them into boiling water. Leave the celery pieces in boiling water for 3 minutes, then remove the colander and immediately plunge it into the basin filled with cold water.
- Drain and let the celery pieces dry. You can pat them with paper towel to save time.
- Next, spread the celery pieces out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure the pieces don’t touch each other. The idea is to pre-freeze each piece individually so they don’t stick together later. This will make it easier to defrost small portions. Put the baking sheet in the freezer for several hours.
- Once the celery chunks are completely frozen, remove the baking sheet from the freezer and transfer the chunks to a freezer bag or airtight container. You can use multiple bags or containers if you want to freeze individual portions. Seal the freezer bag or container tightly, pushing out as much air as possible.
- Label the freezer bag or container with the date and contents, then return the celery pieces to the freezer.
What is the shelf life of celery in the freezer?
Raw celery, blanched beforehand, will keep for about 12 to 18 months in the freezer.
Raw, unbleached celery will keep for about 2 months in the freezer. After this time, it will still be safe to eat but its flavor will begin to decline.
How to thaw celery?
In many cases, you don’t need to thaw your celery stick. Frozen stalk celery lends itself particularly well to stuffings, soups, stews and sauces. You can add it to your recipe as is without thawing it. It will flavor the dish with its celery flavor but will not be as crunchy as fresh stalk celery.
If you want to thaw your celery, for example to eat it raw, let it thaw gently for several hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
Can you refreeze celery?
We do not recommend refreezing celery, although it is not dangerous. Refreezing risks radically altering the texture of your celery stick and it will be difficult to use it afterwards.
The only exception is when you have frozen raw celery, cooked it in a sauce such as bolognese, and then want to freeze the bolognese. You can perfectly do that.
Can you freeze celery leaves?
We do not recommend freezing celery leaves. They quickly lose their delicate flavor and, when thawed, become very slimy.
Can you freeze celery juice?
Yes, it is absolutely possible to freeze celery juice. All you need to do is pour the celery juice in portions into small containers or small freezer bags. Seal them tightly to keep air out and freeze them. To thaw your celery juice, leave it in the fridge overnight.
If you want to freeze tiny amounts of celery juice, you can even use an ice cube tray!
