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!
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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!
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 some 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).
Try using celery salt in potato salads, deviled eggs, soups, casseroles, stews, and sauces.
3. Parsley
Parsley actually comes from the same variety of plants as celery does. It makes a great option for when you are making soup, stocks, or even sauces.
4. Dill
If you've never tried fresh dill, the flavor is actually pretty similar to that of celery seed (with an added bit 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 (sometimes called celery flakes) has a flavor that is much more potent than fresh celery (which makes them pretty similar to celery seed). For best results, use this option in recipes that have a longer cooking time. Try them out in 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 strong spice that is common in many households. It doesn't taste exactly like celery seed, but it can easily pair with many Asian recipes.
10. Turmeric
Turmeric is another common household spice. The flavor is earthy with a hint of mustard. Like ginger, turmeric tastes great in Asian dishes.
Tips For Choosing A Celery Seed Substitute
Keep these things in mind when trying to decide which substitute is the best for you.
- Flavor. Choose spices or herbs that have a similar flavor to celery seed (earthy and somewhat bitter). Some great choices would be cumin seeds, dill seeds, fennel seeds, and caraway seeds.
- Texture. Celery seeds are a touch crunchy. If you want to keep the crunch, try using chopped celery.
- Herb Blends. There are plenty of herb blends or spice mixes that might have celery seed as one the ingredients. Some good choices would be Cajun seasoning, Old Bay, or many different pickling spice blends.
- Experiment with Ground Spices: If your recipe was using ground celery seed, try out some other ground spice options.
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 Card
Celery Seed Substitute
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon celery (leaves, stalks, or roots, minced)
- 1 teaspoon dill seed
- 3 tablespoon dried celery (or celery flakes)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Use 2 tablespoon celery for every ½ teaspoon of celery seed.
- Use 1 teaspoon dill seed in an equal swap for celery seed.
- Use 3 tablespoon dried celery for every 1 teaspoon of celery seed.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published August 14, 2023
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