Does Celery Go Bad? Ever wondered how to tell if celery is bad. Today I'll share the signs to look for to know that celery has gone bad. We'll also share the best storage tips to extend celery shelf life.
Jump to:
Does Celery Go Bad?
Celery can go bad, but it takes a while. Properly stored, celery can last for up to two weeks in the fridge. You don't want to eat limp celery and so you'll want to use your celery stalks in plenty of time before it is no longer fresh.
Old celery has less nutrition than fresh celery as it begins to break down. If celery is wilted or has brown leaves, it is beginning to go bad.
Signs That Fresh Celery Has Gone Bad
There are several signs to look for to know if celery has gone bad. The first sign is discoloration.
Discoloration
Fresh celery is a light green color and celery that has gone bad will start to turn brown. The leaves will also be yellow and the stalks will become limp. Limp celery is still edible but won't have the same crunch as fresh celery.
Bad Smell
Celery that has gone bad will also start to smell sour. If you notice a foul smell, it is best to throw the celery away. Rotten celery or spoiled celery will smell very bad.
Mould
If celery starts to grow mold, it should be discarded immediately. Mold can spread quickly and contaminate other food in your fridge. If you find mould on your raw celery then it's time to throw it away.
Bugs
If you see small bugs crawling on celery, it's time to throw it out. These bugs can contaminate other food in your kitchen and are a sign the celery's shelf life has come to an end.
Slime
When storing celery it may become slimy. Slime is a sign of bacteria and means the celery has gone bad.
Taste
If celery tastes sour or bitter, it has gone bad and should be thrown out. When celery starts to go bad, it will lose its crunch. It will lose all the excess moisture and will become dry and rubbery.
How To Store Celery Correctly
Celery should be stored in the fridge, in either the crisper drawer, or wrapped in a damp paper towel.
Storing celery in the vegetable drawer of your fridge is the best way to keep it fresh.
If you have a lot of chopped raw celery, you can also use a plastic bag in the fridge or store it in an airtight container.
Celery will last longer if it is stored properly. Be sure to check celery regularly and use it
If celery is going to be stored for more than a few days, it's best to wrap it in aluminum foil. This will help it stay fresh for up to two weeks.
Can You Freeze Celery?
Yes, celery can be frozen. To freeze celery, wash it and cut it into the desired size. Then, place it in a freezer bag and squeeze out as much air as possible.
Freezer bags are great for freezing celery. You can place chopped raw celery or whole celery stalks into a bag or freezer-safe container.
Celery is a good food storage item as celery is so versatile and therefore defrosted celery can be used in many different recipes.
How To Defrost Frozen Celery
There are two easy ways to defrost celery. The first is to place the celery in the fridge overnight. The second way is to place the celery in a bowl of ice water.
If you're in a hurry, you can also defrost celery in the microwave. Just place the celery on a plate and microwave it on the defrost setting for a few minutes.
Once the celery is defrosted, it should be used within a few days.
How To Tell If Celery Is Bad
Celery can go bad, but it takes a while. Properly stored, celery can last for up to two weeks in the fridge and 6 months in the freezer.
How To Use Celery
Celery is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes. Here are some ideas:
Sliced celery can be added to salads or eaten as a snack with dip.
- Chopped celery can be added to soup or stew.
- Celery leaves can be used as a garnish.
- Make Celery Juice or blend it in a smoothie.
- Use cooked celery in a Tofu Stir Fry or as a side dish.
Celery is a healthy food that is packed with nutrients. It's a great addition to any diet and can be enjoyed in many different ways in both cold and cooked dishes.
Celery Recipes
Here are some more recipe that use celery:
Now that you know how to store celery and how to tell when it's gone bad, you can enjoy your celery recipes and keep them fresher for longer!
