How Long Does Celery Last in the Refrigerator? Expert Guide

You open your fridge, find some celery, and ask yourself, “Is this still good?” You’re not alone! Many people wonder how long celery lasts in the refrigerator. The simple answer is: fresh celery can last up to 2 weeks in the fridge when stored properly. But how you store it makes a big difference. In this article, you’ll learn the best ways to keep celery fresh, what signs show it’s going bad, and tips to make it last longer. This easy guide will help you keep your celery crisp and tasty for as long as possible.

Know How Fresh Celery Looks and Feels

Before you can keep celery fresh, you need to know what fresh celery looks and feels like. Fresh celery has bright green stalks. The stalks are firm and crunchy. If you break one, it should snap right away. The leaves at the top should be green and not wilted or yellow. If celery is soft or has brown spots, it’s not fresh anymore.

Celery is made mostly of water, so it loses water fast if not stored right. When it loses water, it becomes limp. That means it will not be nice to eat raw and may not taste great even in cooking. But if you catch it before it goes too far, you can sometimes bring it back with cold water.

Fresh celery from the store may have been sitting out already for a few days. That means the time you get to keep it fresh at home may be shorter. That’s why it’s always good to pick the best-looking celery when shopping. Avoid buying celery that looks dry or has wilting leaves.

Once you know how fresh celery should be, it’s easier to check it each day. That way, you won’t be surprised when it goes bad. Checking the color, feel, and smell helps you understand how fresh it still is.

Fresh celery is green, crisp, and firm
Leaves should be bright green, not yellow or brown
Avoid celery with soft or slimy stalks
Smell should be fresh and clean, not sour
Choose the best celery when shopping to make it last longer

Store Celery the Right Way in the Fridge

Celery can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. But that only happens if you store it the right way. The fridge is a cool place that helps keep celery crisp. But just tossing it into the fridge without any care is not the best idea.

Most people bring celery home and leave it in the plastic bag from the store. This can work for a few days, but it’s not good for keeping it fresh for a long time. Plastic bags hold moisture. That moisture makes the celery go soft or even slimy.

A better way to store celery is to wrap it in aluminum foil. Yes, plain kitchen foil! Wrap the celery tightly but not too tight. The foil lets the gas that makes veggies spoil escape. But it keeps enough moisture in to stop the celery from drying out.

You can also store celery in a container of water. Cut the stalks into pieces and put them in a container. Fill it with water to cover the pieces. Close the lid and place it in the fridge. This method works well if you use the celery in a few days. Be sure to change the water every couple of days.

Never store celery in the fridge drawer with fruits like apples or pears. These fruits give off a gas that makes celery go bad faster. Keep celery in a different drawer or on a shelf.

Here is one more idea: if you wash your celery before storing, make sure it is dry before wrapping it. Wet celery can spoil faster.

Wrap celery in aluminum foil to make it last 2 weeks
Don’t leave it in the plastic store bag
Store cut celery in water, change the water often
Keep away from fruits like apples and pears
Dry celery well if washing before storing

Understand Signs When Celery Goes Bad

Even when stored right, celery won’t last forever. You need to know the signs that tell you when it’s time to throw it out. Eating spoiled celery is not only unpleasant, it can also make you sick. The good news is, celery gives clear signs when it’s no longer good.

The first sign is softness. Fresh celery is crunchy. If the stalk bends easily or feels limp, it’s starting to go bad. It may still be okay for soups, but not for eating raw.

Next, look for color changes. Celery that turns brown or has black spots is not fresh anymore. This means it has started to spoil. You may be able to cut off the bad parts, but if there are too many spots, throw it away.

Slimy texture is another big sign. If the celery feels wet and slippery, it’s gone bad. Don’t try to wash off the slime. Just toss it. That’s a clear sign that bacteria has grown on it.

Smell also helps. Fresh celery smells light and fresh. If it smells sour or odd, it’s not safe to eat. Trust your nose. If something smells wrong, it probably is.

If your celery shows even one of these signs, it’s better to be safe and not eat it.

Limp or bendy stalks mean celery is not fresh
Brown or black spots show spoilage
Slimy texture means it’s time to throw it out
Bad or sour smell means it’s not safe to eat
Always check color, feel, and smell before using celery

Make Celery Last Longer with These Simple Tips

Everyone wants to make their fresh food last longer. Celery is no different. Luckily, there are some easy things you can do to help celery stay fresh in your fridge for more days.

First, keep celery whole for as long as you can. Don’t cut it until you’re ready to use it. Once you cut it, celery starts to lose water faster. Whole celery lasts longer than chopped celery.

Second, use foil. As we said earlier, aluminum foil is perfect for keeping celery fresh. It lets gas out but keeps moisture in. This is better than plastic bags, which trap too much moisture.

Third, if you already cut celery, store it in water. But remember to change the water every two to three days. This keeps bacteria from growing in the water. It also keeps the celery crisp.

Fourth, try not to wash celery before storing. Wait until you’re ready to use it. Wet celery goes bad faster. If you must wash it, dry it well with paper towels before wrapping it.

Fifth, keep celery away from fruits that give off ethylene gas. These include apples, bananas, and tomatoes. That gas makes celery spoil faster. Store them in different parts of the fridge.

And finally, don’t crowd your fridge. Air needs to move around your food to keep it cool. A packed fridge makes food go bad faster.

Keep celery whole, don’t cut too early
Use aluminum foil instead of plastic
Store cut celery in water, change it often
Don’t wash celery until ready to use
Keep away from apples and bananas
Don’t pack the fridge too full

Can You Freeze Celery for Later Use?

Yes, you can freeze celery! But it’s not the same as fresh celery. Frozen celery works best in cooked dishes like soups and stews. Once frozen, celery becomes soft and loses its crunch. But the taste is still good for cooking.

To freeze celery, first wash and cut it into small pieces. Then blanch it. Blanching means boiling it quickly for about 3 minutes, then placing it in cold water. This helps keep the color and taste better in the freezer.

Dry the celery well after blanching. Then put the pieces on a tray in a single layer. Freeze them like that first. Once they are frozen, move them to a freezer bag or container. This helps stop the pieces from sticking together.

Label the bag with the date so you know how long it’s been in the freezer. Frozen celery is best used within 3 months. It’s still safe after that but may lose flavor and texture.

When you’re ready to use it, just take out the amount you need. No need to thaw if you’re adding it to hot soup or stew. Just toss it in while cooking.

Remember, frozen celery is not for salads or eating raw. But it’s perfect for recipes where it gets cooked.

Celery can be frozen but will lose crunch
Works best in soups, stews, and cooked meals
Blanch before freezing to keep flavor
Freeze first on tray, then move to a bag
Use within 3 months for best taste

Use Leftover Celery in Smart Ways

Sometimes you have leftover celery and don’t know what to do with it. Don’t let it go to waste! There are many ways to use celery before it goes bad.

One of the easiest ways is to make soup. Celery is a key ingredient in most soup recipes. You can chop it and freeze it for later if you don’t want to cook right away.

Another idea is to make celery juice. Many people love celery juice for health. Just blend the stalks with a little water, strain, and drink. It’s a quick way to use up extra celery.

You can also make a veggie stir fry. Cut up celery and cook it with carrots, onions, and peppers. Add some soy sauce and garlic. It makes a tasty side dish.

Celery also goes great in salads. If it’s still crisp, chop it up and mix it with lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers. It adds crunch and fresh flavor.

If your celery is getting soft but not bad, use it in a broth. Simmer it with other veggies and herbs to make a simple soup base. This broth can be used for many recipes.

You can even use celery in egg salad, tuna salad, or chicken salad. Just chop it small and mix it in.

Add to soups or stews
Make celery juice for health
Stir fry with other veggies
Use in fresh salads
Simmer for veggie broth
Mix into salads with eggs, tuna, or chicken

Final Thoughts

Celery is a great veggie that stays fresh in the fridge for up to 2 weeks if you store it the right way. Using foil, water, and smart fridge habits can help it last longer. Knowing the signs when it goes bad and using frozen or leftover celery in smart ways will help you save money and reduce waste. Always check your celery before eating, and don’t forget you can freeze it for cooking later. With a little care, you’ll always have fresh celery ready when you need it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it safe to eat celery after 2 weeks?

Yes, but only if it still looks and feels fresh. Celery can stay good in the fridge for up to 2 weeks if it’s stored properly in foil or water. But if it has brown spots, is soft, slimy, or smells bad, you should throw it away. Just because it has been in the fridge for 2 weeks doesn’t mean it’s still good. Always check for signs of spoilage before using. If it passes the look, smell, and feel test, it should be safe to eat.

Can celery be stored with other fruits?

No, it’s best not to store celery with fruits like apples, bananas, or pears. These fruits give off a gas called ethylene that makes celery spoil faster. This gas can cause the celery to turn soft, lose its crunch, and go bad in a few days. Try to keep celery in a separate drawer or part of the fridge where it won’t be near these fruits. Keeping them apart helps the celery stay fresh and crispy for a longer time.

Do I need to wash celery before storing?

It’s better not to wash celery before storing it. Water can make it spoil faster. If you do wash it, make sure to dry it well with a paper towel before wrapping it. Any extra water left on the celery can make it soft and even slimy over time. It’s best to keep it dry in the fridge and wash it only right before you use it. This small step can help keep your celery fresh for many more days.

Is it okay to eat soft celery?

If celery is just a little soft, it can still be used in soups or stews. But it won’t taste good raw. If it’s very limp or slimy, it’s better to throw it away. Soft celery has lost most of its water and might not taste fresh. Sometimes, soaking soft celery in cold water for a few hours can bring back some of its crunch. But if it smells bad or has spots, don’t risk it. It’s better to be safe.

Can I revive limp celery?

Yes, you can sometimes bring limp celery back to life. If it’s not too far gone, just place it in a glass of cold water and put it in the fridge for a few hours. The celery will absorb the water and may become crisp again. This trick works because celery is full of water and soaks it up. But this only helps if the celery is still safe to eat. If it smells bad or is slimy, don’t try to save it.

Do I need to use foil to store celery?

Using foil is one of the best ways to keep celery fresh in the fridge. Foil helps celery breathe a little and lets out gases that can make it spoil. At the same time, it holds just enough moisture to keep the celery from drying out. This is better than plastic bags, which trap too much moisture and make the celery soft and wet. Foil storage can keep celery fresh and crunchy for up to two weeks or more.

Is it okay to freeze celery without blanching?

You can freeze celery without blanching, but it may lose color, flavor, and texture faster. Blanching helps keep the celery looking and tasting better while in the freezer. It only takes a few minutes to boil and cool it down. If you skip blanching, frozen celery may still work in cooking, but it might be mushy or pale. If you want the best results in soups or stews, it’s a good idea to blanch before freezing.

Can I store cut celery in water?

Yes, storing cut celery in water is a great way to keep it fresh. Just place the celery pieces in a container with water and keep it in the fridge. Change the water every two or three days to stop bacteria from growing. This method helps the celery stay crisp and moist for up to a week. It’s perfect if you like to keep snacks ready or use celery in your daily cooking. Always make sure the water is clean.