Celery salt is a popular seasoning made by combining ground celery seeds with salt. It offers a unique and savory flavor that complements a wide range of dishes.
It can truly elevate your meals. It’s an ingredient in Old Bay seasoning and is also a component in Bloody Marys.
But that’s not all. Let’s unravel the magic that is celery salt.
Join me as I uncover the potential of this intriguing seasoning!
What Is Celery Salt?
Celery salt is a flavorful blend of ground celery seeds and salt. Occasionally, the mix also contains dried and ground celery stalks or leaves. Once ground, the celery is combined with salt at an approximate 2:1 ratio.
Celery salt is used in savory dishes to infuse a subtle celery essence. Though not immediately noticeable, it can lift the dish’s flavor profile.
Beyond just culinary applications, celery salt is a significant element in Bloody Marys.
What Is Celery Salt Used For?
Use this flavor-packed seasoning to enhance savory dishes without overpowering their tastes.
It seamlessly blends with various seasonings. Remember, moderation is the key to avoiding over-salting.
- Liven up a Bloody Mary: Use celery salt to rim the glass. This’ll enhance the cocktail’s unique spicy-savory combination.
- Brighten up cold salads: Swap regular salt for celery salt in potato, egg, and tuna salads, or coleslaw.
- Upgrade a Chicago-style hot dog: Celery salt is a great accent to this famous hot dog style. It contributes to its distinctive flavor.
- Sprinkle it on snacks and fried food: Try it on fries, fried chicken, popcorn, and onion rings.
- Elevate simple dishes: It’s tasty on corn on the cob, boiled eggs, and roasted carrots.
What Does Celery Salt Taste Like?
Initially, all you taste is salt. But the subtleties of its flavor profile soon come into play. As the name suggests, it carries a hint of celery. We can thank crushed celery seeds for that.
The taste features a mild peppery bite, with green, grassy, and slightly bitter undertones. While its flavor isn’t overtly assertive, celery salt certainly adds a distinguishable touch to dishes.
How to Make Homemade Celery Salt
Ingredients
2 tablespoons celery seed
*4 tablespoons salt
Directions
1. Place the celery seeds in a spice grinder or food processor. Grind them into a finer powder. It should be similar to table salt in consistency.
2. Combine the ground celery seed with salt and mix well.
3. Pour the salt into a spice jar or air-tight container. Store it for up to a year.
*You can use table salt, fine sea salt, or fine kosher salt.
A few tips:
- You don’t have to grind the seeds. Most choose to do so, since biting into whole seeds isn’t appealing. But leaving seeds whole ensures a longer-lasting freshness.
- You don’t have to combine the celery and salt. Keeping them separate will give you control over the flavor intensity of each element. It’s useful when making dry rubs that already include salt.
- Use celery root. It doesn’t just have to be the seeds. Ground celery root, or celeriac, also provides a unique spin on celery salt.
- Use celery leaves. For this method, dry the leaves in a low-temperature oven, and then grind them. Combine with table salt as instructed above.
- Use other forms of celery. Dehydrated celery and celery flakes both work for this recipe.
What’s the Best Substitute for Celery Salt?
If you’re in the middle of a recipe and realize you’re out of celery salt, relax. Several handy alternatives can step in.
Of course, plain table salt is always a viable option.
But if you desire a flavor profile closer to celery salt, consider onion salt as a suitable replacement.
Dill, being a relative of celery, can also offer a similar taste. Just crush dried dill and mix it with salt at a 2:1 ratio.
What to Make with Celery Salt
Excited to use celery salt in your culinary creations? Here are three flavorful recipes to try.
Paula Deen Chicken Noodle Soup: A timeless comfort food! Chicken noodle soup can be elevated with a dash of celery salt. Add it to the broth while the soup simmers.
Rachael Ray Meatballs: Celery salt marries well with other flavors in meatballs like garlic and tomato. This simple recipe is perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
Bisquick Chicken Tenders: Give your homemade chicken tenders a new twist. Sprinkle some celery salt into the breading mixture for an added flavor punch.
Popcorn Seasoning: For your next movie night, add some celery salt to your popcorn. It transforms the regular buttery popcorn into an unexpectedly savory treat.
