5 BEST Celery Root Substitutes in Recipes

Have you ever heard of celery root?

It might sound like a vegetable that only the experts could use to go above and beyond in the kitchen, but it’s actually one of the most versatile ingredients out there.

Celery root has a mild, slightly sweet taste and is particularly delicious when mashed or roasted.

You can even pickle celery root for an interesting flavor twist.

If you don’t have any on hand, no problem—there are plenty of substitutes to get creative with celery root-esque dishes.

From substituting carrots for fennel, here are five alternatives that deliver all the savory goodness of this brilliant root vegetable.

What is Celery Root?

Celery root, or celeriac, is a strange and lesser-known root vegetable that deserves way more attention than it gets.

Celery root is an ugly brown oxblood color on the outside with crisp white flesh on the inside.

It has a mild celery-like taste, yet interestingly enough, it belongs to the parsley family.

Texture-wise, it’s a bit firm, but when cooked correctly, it softens nicely.

It can be eaten Raw or cooked in all sorts of ways; Mashed, Baked, Steamed – it’s super versatile.

Try out one of our favorite recipes, Cube, and fry them up in some oil with garlic and thyme for an amazing side dish that’ll leave you wanting more.

5 BEST Celery Root Substitutes in Recipes

If you’re looking for a unique ingredient to add to your recipes, celery root is definitely worth considering.

But due to its distinct taste and texture, it can be hard to find the right substitute.

No need to worry; we’ve compiled a list of five great substitutes for celery root in recipes.

1 – Parsnips

Parsnips are an underrated root vegetable that deserves more attention.

With their creamy white color, tapered shape, and sweet flavor, parsnips have a lot to offer.

It’s subtly sweet taste is reminiscent of carrots, but its texture is much waxier.

For this reason, parsnips are often combined with other vegetables or used as a substitute in mashed dishes or soups.

In fact, their sweet flavor makes them the perfect substitute for celery root and can be used in place of celery in most recipes.

If you’re looking for something different in the kitchen, give parsnips a try.

2 – Turnips

With its edible roots and leaves, the turnip is a versatile root vegetable.

Its firm texture makes it an ideal ingredient for roasting or boiling.

It has a pleasantly sharp taste that adds balance to soups and other savory dishes.

To make things even better, turnips can be used as a substitute for celery root when it’s not available.

Boil them until tender, then smash them and mix them with garlic, olive oil, and herbs for a quick and delicious side dish that veterans of the kitchen will appreciate.

Take your culinary game to the next level with this unique yet familiar vegetable.

3 – Rutabaga

The rutabaga is an underrated root vegetable that deserves recognition: it is packed with vitamin C, fiber, and potassium.

It features a sweet taste akin to turnips but sweeter and richer.

It has a starchy texture similar to potatoes yet is more tender when cooked correctly.

Rutabagas make for excellent substitutes for celery root in salads and soups because of their boldness: the flavor won’t be lost when combined with other ingredients.

With its wonderful combination of taste and texture, it’s no wonder why rutabaga is becoming increasingly popular as a delicious side dish or soup addition.

4 – Carrots

Carrots are a tasty vegetable that has endless possibilities when it comes to their application in cooking.

Its sweet yet woody taste, crunchy texture, and vibrant orange hue make it a great addition to salads, soups, and stews.

Additionally, for those looking for a vegetarian alternative to celery root, carrots can be used as an effective substitute.

Be sure to cut them into small cubes so the flavors have time to meld together, but if the dish requires the crunch of celery root, grating carrots will give an excellent crunchy texture as well as some added sweetness.

5 – Fennel

Fennel is a unique ingredient commonly used in the Mediterranean and Italian cuisine.

It has a mild anise or licorice taste with a crunchy texture that adds an interesting dimension to dishes.

Fennel can be enjoyed raw or cooked, adding subtle sweetness when lightly cooked and intensified flavor when caramelized.

To substitute it for celery root, cut off the stems and use the bulb like you would celery root.

It is perfect for salads, grilled fish, stews, roasted vegetables, and soups.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many options when it comes to substitutes for celery root.

Parsnips, turnips, rutabaga, carrots, and fennel can all help you create delicious dishes with an interesting twist.

Each one of them has its own unique flavor and texture that will add that special something your culinary creations need.

So go ahead and give them a try. Who knows, you might just find your new favorite ingredient.