Best celery seed substitute: All of the best options for swapping out celery seeds in a variety of different recipes! Whether you can't find it in-store, you aren't a fan, or you just ran out, these options will save the day! Choose your favorite, and you're ready to get back to cooking!
Best Substitutes For Celery Seed
Celery seed is not the most common ingredient, and I wouldn't be surprised if you don't always have it stocked up in your spice cabinet. In fact, it can sometimes be difficult to find in stores!
If you're using a recipe that calls for celery seed, you don't have to rush out and go searching for it. Instead, try out one of these great alternatives!
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What Is Celery Seed
Celery seed is exactly what it sounds like- dried, wild celery seeds. They have a celery flavor but are much more potent than fresh celery. They can be purchased either whole or ground.
While they may be somewhat difficult to find in stores, they do make a fantastic addition to many recipes! Most commonly, celery seed is used in salads, dressings, dry rubs, sauces, seafood dishes, potato recipes, and more!
What To Use If You Don't Have Celery Seed
1. Fresh Celery
Of course, a great substitution for celery seed would be using different parts of fresh celery! You can use celery stalks, leaves, or roots. The flavor may not be as bold or pungent, but it can easily be used in a pinch!
Use 2 tablespoons of finely minced celery (stalk, roots, or leaves) for every ½ teaspoon of celery seed.
2. Celery Salt
Celery salt is created by mixing together a combination of salt and powdered celery in a 2:1 ratio, making this a fantastic substitution! However, you should only use this option in recipes that require salt (and either reduce or omit the salt entirely).
This is a fantastic option for dishes such as casseroles, soups, stews, sauces, deviled eggs, and potato salads.
3. Parsley
In case you didn't know, parsley actually comes from the same type of plant as celery. You can use parsley as a substitute in dishes such as soups, stocks, and sauces.
4. Dill
Fresh dill has a flavor that is similar to celery seed, with an added hint of grassiness. However, the flavor will diminish during the cooking process, so hold off on adding it until the end of cooking.
You can swap chopped fresh dill with celery seed in a 1:1 ratio.
5. Dill Seeds
Dill seed (as opposed to fresh dill) makes a wonderful replacement for celery seed in essentially any recipe. The texture is very similar and it has a flavor that is earthy, peppery, and subdued.
Dill seed will work well in any recipe, but especially in dishes such as salads, dressings, meat, seafood, bread, and even pickling recipes!
Swap dill seed for celery seed using a 1:1 ratio.
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6. Fennel
Fennel seeds are part of the carrot family and have a flavor that is similar to star anise. You can use it as a substitute for celery seeds in dishes such as curry, marinades, soups, stews, and casseroles.
Use fennel seed as a substitute for celery seed in a 1:1 swap.
7. Dried Celery
Dried celery (or celery flakes) have a more pungent flavor than fresh celery, making them even more similar to celery seeds. These flakes are best when used in dishes that have a longer cooking time, such as curry, sauces, soups, casseroles, and stir-fries.
Use 3 tablespoons of dried celery per every 1 teaspoon of celery seed.
8. Star Anise
Star anise is a spice that has a licorice flavor and is commonly used in cooking, baking, and making tea. Use it whole in liquid-based dishes like soups, sauces, stews, and broths, but remember to remove it before serving.
If using it in other dishes, it will need to be ground first.
Since star anise has such a powerful flavor, you'll only want to use half the amount of the requested celery seed.
9. Ginger
Ginger is a robust and strong spice that many people keep stocked at home. While it does not taste exactly like celery seed, it does have a flavor that can easily complement Asian recipes.
10. Turmeric
Turmeric is another common spice that can replace celery seeds. It adds an earthy and somewhat mustard-like flavor. Again, this spice complements Asian dishes incredibly well.
Tips For Choosing A Celery Seed Substitute
Choosing a celery seed substitute can be a practical solution when you don't have the ingredient on hand or if you're looking to achieve a different flavor profile.
- Flavor Profile Match: Look for spices or herbs that mimic the distinct earthy and slightly bitter flavor of celery seeds. Some good options include cumin seeds, dill seeds, caraway seeds, and fennel seeds.
- Texture Consideration: Celery seeds add a slight crunch to dishes. To replicate this texture, you can try using finely chopped fresh celery or celery leaves.
- Herb Blends or Spice Mixes: Explore herb blends or spice mixes that contain celery seeds as one of the ingredients. Examples include Old Bay seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or various pickling spice blends.
- Experiment with Ground Spices: Ground celery seed is commonly used in spice blends and can be substituted with ground spices like ground cumin, ground coriander, or ground mustard.
- Consider the Dish Type: The dish you're preparing can influence the choice of substitute. For example, if you're making a soup or stew, using chopped celery, celery leaves, or a celery-flavored broth might work well. If you're making a spice rub or marinade, experimenting with herb and spice combinations could yield delicious results.
Now that you know all of these fantastic celery seed substitutes, which one will you be using? Leave a comment down below to let me know!
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📋 Recipe
Celery Seed Substitute
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon celery (leaves, stalks, or roots, minced)
- 1 teaspoon dill seed
- 3 tablespoon dried celery (or celery flakes)
Instructions
- Use 2 tablespoon celery for every ½ teaspoon of celery seed.2 tablespoon celery
- Use 1 teaspoon dill seed in an equal swap for celery seed.1 teaspoon dill seed
- Use 3 tablespoon dried celery for every 1 teaspoon of celery seed.3 tablespoon dried celery
Equipment You May Need
Notes
Nutrition
Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!
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