Celery powder is a versatile seasoning made from dried and ground celery.
It comes in a few different forms:
- Ground celery seeds: This has an intense, concentrated celery flavor.
- Dried celery juice powder: Used for curing meats as it's high in nitrates. Also provides celery flavor.
- Dried and powdered celery stalks/leaves: More subtle celery taste.
Celery powder adds a burst of savory, earthy celery flavor to dishes.
It's commonly used as:
- A rub or seasoning for meats.
- In addition to dressings, dips, soups, stews, etc.
- A natural curing agent for meats like bacon or deli meats.
When using it in cooking, start with small amounts like 1/4 tsp, and add more to taste. It has a strong flavor so a little goes a long way!
Best Replacements For Celery Powder
If you're out of celery powder, don't worry - there are plenty of substitutions available.
Here are the best alternatives to use in place of celery powder:
Curing Salt
If you're looking to cure meat using celery powder's natural nitrates, curing salt is the most reliable substitute.
Curing salt (also called pink salt) is salt that's been combined with sodium nitrite. This is excellent for preventing the growth of bacteria when curing meats like bacon or deli meats.
While celery powder does contain nitrates, curing salt is considered more effective and consistent for meat curing. It's the standard choice amongst professional curers.
Dried Celery Flakes
If you just need to replicate the flavor of celery powder in cooking, use dried celery flakes. These are made from dehydrated minced celery - stalks, leaves, and all.
Celery flakes provide the same fresh, savory taste as celery powder. They can be added to dressings, dips, soups, stews, rubs, etc. for a flavor boost.
Since they contain fibrous celery material, celery flakes will also add some texture versus super fine celery powder. This can be a pro or con depending on the dish!
Start by substituting celery flakes in a 1:1 ratio for celery powder. You may need to adjust the amount to taste. Their flavors are very similar but celery flakes are slightly more mild.
Chopped Fresh Celery
Of course, fresh chopped celery is another easy substitute for celery powder when flavoring dishes.
Substitute roughly 3-4 the amount of chopped celery as you would celery powder. So if a recipe calls for 1 tsp celery powder, use 1 tablespoon chopped celery.
Fresh celery has a higher water content so the flavor won't be as concentrated. It also adds texture versus powder. But it provides that same fresh, aromatic celery taste.
Chop the celery stalks and leaves finely to disperse them evenly throughout the dish. Use it in soups, stews, salads, dressings, etc.
Other Potential Substitutes To Try
While curing salt, celery flakes, and fresh celery are the best stand-ins for celery powder, there are some other options to experiment with:
- Celeriac - Grated celery root provides celery flavor but is more muted. Use about double the amount of celeriac as celery powder.
- Dill seed - When ground, dill seed has an earthy flavor similar to celery. Use a 1:1 substitute ratio.
- Caraway seeds - Soak and grind caraway seeds to release their aromatic flavor. Use less than the celery powder amount since caraway is stronger.
- Lovage - An herb in the celery family. Dried lovage leaves/seeds substitute well for celery powder.
- Nigella seeds - Also called black cumin seeds. Slightly bitter like celery. Use a 1:1 ratio.
- Mustard greens - The peppery flavor is reminiscent of celery. Use 1.5x the amount of greens for celery powder.
- Dried parsley - Has an earthy flavor similar to celery once dried.
How To Make Your Own Celery Powder
Making homemade celery powder is simple.
Here's how:
- Roughly chop fresh celery stalks and leaves - no need to peel.
- Spread evenly on a baking sheet. Dehydrate the celery pieces in the oven at 200°F, stirring occasionally, until completely dried out - about 2 hours.
- Place the dried celery pieces in a spice grinder, blender, or food processor. Grind into a fine powder.
- Store the powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Keeps for 3-6 months.
Adjust the grinding time to achieve your desired texture - leave it a bit coarser for celery flakes or blend longer for super fine powder.
Homemade celery powder boasts an incredible depth of flavor. Use it the same as store-bought!
How To Use Celery Salt As A Seasoning
Along with celery powder, celery salt is another great way to add big celery flavor to dishes:
- Celery salt is a blend of ground celery seeds mixed with salt, generally in a 1:2 ratio. The salt amplifies the strong celery taste.
- It has a more intense, concentrated celery flavor than celery powder. A little goes a long way.
- Celery salt uses: Season meats, sprinkled on sandwiches or fries, mixed into dressings and dips, rimmer for Bloody Mary's, and more.
- Start with just 1/4 to 1/2 tsp celery salt in recipes and adjust to taste.
- To make your own: Mix 1 part ground celery seeds with 2 parts salt.
- Substitute with a blend of celery seeds + salt, or chopped celery + salt. Dill and other herbs can work too.
Celery salt and celery powder are two great ways to infuse your cooking with delicious celery flavor. Whether you have them on hand or need a sub, these tips will help you get that tasty celery taste.
FAQs
What's the difference between celery powder and celery salt?
Celery powder contains only dehydrated, ground celery - usually the stalks and leaves. It provides an earthy, savory celery flavor.
Celery salt is a seasoning blend made with ground celery seeds and salt mixed together, usually in a 1:2 ratio. The added salt gives it a more intense, concentrated celery taste.
How do you use celery powder?
Celery powder is used to add flavor to dishes like soups, stews, dressings, dips, rubs, etc. Start with 1/4 to 1/2 tsp and add more to taste. It's potent so a little goes a long way. Celery powder can also be used for curing meats.
What does celery powder taste like?
It has a very concentrated, savory celery flavor. Celery powder made from the stalks and leaves has an earthy, vegetal taste. Celery salt made with the seeds has a stronger, more potent celery taste. Both provide a burst of flavor.
Can you substitute celery salt for celery powder?
Yes, but it may need some adjustments. Celery salt has a much more intense celery taste thanks to the added salt. Use about half the amount of celery salt as you would celery powder and add with a light hand as it's very potent. You can always add more to taste.
What's the best way to use celery juice powder?
Celery juice powder that's high in nitrates can be used for curing meats like bacon or deli meats. It helps prevent bacterial growth and preserves the meat without using artificial preservatives. Celery juice powder also provides some flavor.
What's the best celery powder substitute?
For curing meats, curing salt #1 is the most effective replacement. For flavoring, dried celery flakes and chopped fresh celery are the closest matches. Dill seed, lovage, and other herbs can work too.
Conclusion
Celery powder is a versatile seasoning that adds tons of flavor to dishes.
Whether you need a substitute or just want some new ways to use it, these tips will help you get the most out of celery powder.