Pickled Celery Recipe: How to Make Pickled Celery

Pickled celery is a briny, snappy preserved vegetable that is made by soaking celery stalks in a pickling liquid consisting of vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and seasonings. This quick pickle recipe can be prepped in less than a half-hour and kept in the fridge for up to a month. You can chop up pickled celery and add it to cold salads, like tuna, pasta, and egg salad. This pickled veggie also makes an excellent addition to sandwiches, grain bowls, hot wing plates, and charcuterie platters. Pickled celery sticks can also be used as a bloody mary garnish or eaten on their own for a bright, sweet-and-salty snack.

Pickling vegetables is a simple and flavorful way to extend the life of your produce. In spite of the ease of the pickling process, there are a few rules of thumb you can follow to yield the best possible pickled celery.

1. 1. Use fresh, high-quality produce. Pickling is the perfect way to preserve seasonal produce at its peak. Buy crisp, bright green celery without wilted, yellowing leaves or soft spots. Wash the stalks of celery thoroughly before you pickle them. Never use soft or spoiled celery for pickling, which will result in an unsatisfactory taste and texture.
2. 2. Strike the right brine balance. The ideal liquid ratio for any pickle brine is 1 part vinegar to 1 part water. For each cup of vinegar, you should use 1 tablespoon of sugar and 2 teaspoons of salt. From there, you can incorporate more or less vinegar, sugar, or salt depending on your preferences.
3. 3. Experiment with different flavors. You can change the flavor profile of your celery by adding different kinds of vinegar and herbs or spices. Play around with various vinegars—like white wine vinegar, rice vinegar, and apple cider vinegar. You can also add whole and ground spices for a unique pickle taste every time. Add some sprigs of dill for a well-rounded combination of pickled vegetables.
4. 4. Mix and match vegetables. You can pickle celery alongside a variety of other veggies for a balanced pickle mix. Play around with the addition of complimentary vegetables like crunchy cucumbers, radishes, and green beans, asparagus, zesty jalapeño, red onion, and diced red pepper for some heat.
5. 5. Store properly. Store your pickled celery in an airtight glass canning jar that has been washed thoroughly. Allow the brine to cool completely before storing it in the refrigerator for up to a month.