This delicious celery salad recipe is easy to pull together with simple ingredients. It can be made in advance, making it perfect for barbecues, parties and meal prep - or just for having in the fridge for a quick meal. It's our version of Lidia Bastianich's Mozzarella and Celery Salad, or Insalata di Mozzarella e Sedano in Italian.
This light, crunchy salad is hearty enough to eat on its own, or makes a fabulous side dish. Friends and guests (and you!) will be surprised at how much they love this celery-based salad.
About using celery in salads:
Celery is a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads. It is a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and it has a crunchy texture that adds interest to salads.
There are a ton of ways to use celery in salads. It can be added raw, cooked, or even juiced. When adding celery raw, it is important to slice it thinly on in bite-sized chunks so that it is easy to eat. Celery can also be cooked by steaming, roasting, or sautéing. Cooking celery softens the texture and brings out its natural sweetness.
Celery is fabulous in a variety of different salad recipes. It can add crunch in fruit salads, green salads, and potato salads. Celery is also a base for salads, such as Waldorf salad and celery root salad.
When adding celery to salad, choose a dressing that complements the flavor of the celery in addition to the other ingredients. For example, a vinaigrette dressing would be a good choice for a celery salad with leafy greens, while a creamy dressing would be a good choice for a potato or fruit salad.
Tips for using celery in salads:
- Choose celery that is fresh and crisp. Celery leaves are also delicious in salads.
- Slice the celery thinly or in chunks so that it is easy to eat.
- Choose a dressing that complements the flavor of the celery.
- Get creative and experiment with different ways to use celery in salads.
Ingredients for celery salad:
- Celery
- Fresh Mozzarella
- Walnuts
- Roasted Red Peppers
- Fresh Parsley
- Lemon Juice + Zest
- Dijon Mustard
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Salt
Making this celery salad recipe your own:
This salad is fabulous with crunchy bacon or grilled chicken tossed in - or both! Swap the fresh mozzarella for Parmesan, which is delicious with a little anchovy too, like Ina Garten's recipe that riffs on the flavors of Caesar salad. Add in tomatoes, or even swap them for the peppers, like a celery-laden Caprese. Sometimes I also change out the Dijon mustard for a grainy mustard and add black pepper, which adds a little more spice and texture.
Let us know if you make this recipe - especially if you love it! It's one of our favorites.
Easy Celery Salad with Mozzarella + Roasted Peppers
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice plus 1 teaspoon Lemon Zest
- 2 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 3 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive OIl
- 1 LB Fresh Mozzarella Cubed or Bocconcini
- ½ Cup Walnuts Toasted and Roughly Chopped
- ½ Cup Roasted Red Peppers Fresh or Jarred, Sliced
- 2 tablespoon Flat Parsley Leaves Roughly Chopped
- 2 Cups Celery Thinly Sliced on the Bias, with Leaves
Instructions
- In a large serving bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, zest, mustard and salt.
- Then slowly whisk in the olive oil to make a smooth dressing.
- Add in the mozzarella, walnuts, roasted peppers, parsley, and celery. Toss with the dressing to combine thoroughly, and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Photos: Meg van der Kruik
Love this celery salad recipe? Try these next:
Simple Recipe for Marinated Tomatoes with Celery, Avocado & Queso Fresco:
This delightfully simple recipe, featuring marinated tomatoes with California-grown celery, avocado, and queso fresco is almost addictive.
Lidia Bastianich's Insalata di Mozzarella e Sedano
Everybody is familiar with the Caprese salad, the perfect combination of tomato and mozzarella, or mozzarella and roasted peppers. This salad recipe made with celery instead is a fresh and tasty alternative.
A Simple Recipe for Braised Celery
Julia Child was a big fan of braised celery…and now so are we. Our friend Alison shares how braising mellows this stalky vegetable and brings out a rich, savory flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions about Celery In Salads:
Absolutely, you can eat celery raw in salads. Choose celery that is fresh and crisp for salads.
Slice the celery thinly or in chunks so that it is easy to eat.
Celery adds crunch, texture and flavor to dishes, in both cooked and raw forms. It is also a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, adding nutrition to dishes.
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