5 BEST Substitutes for Celery Root: Creative Cooking

Celery Root is super versatile, and it goes really well with salads, stews, and soups.

The flavor is creamy and luscious, and you can use a serrated knife for cutting and unlocking all of its flavors.

Once you get past its skin with the knife, ensure that you stop cutting.

You can try to cook the “Roasted Celery Root” recipe, or you can add them to a Warm Escarole Salad too.

What are the best substitutes for Celery Root? The alternatives would include Turnips, Fennel Bulb, Parsley Root, Jicama, and Parsnips.

What Is Celery Root?

The Celery Root refers to the primary taproot, which grows in a downward manner as the celery starts growing upwards.

It also goes by different names such as Knob Celery, Celeriac, or Turnip-Rooted Celery.

These roots are always available all through the year, but their main peak takes place from November till April.

People use the root when it becomes the size of a softball or baseball.

You should always peel this root before cooking.

After you cook it, you should mash it and proceed to use it in baked dishes and casseroles.

Celery Root is heavily present in most European cuisines, especially in French cooking.

Here, the taste of a Celery Root is quite similar to that of parsley or celery.

You can choose to buy it without or with the celery tops.

5 Best Substitutes for Celery Root

Now, let us take a look at some of the substituting options available for you in place of a Celery Root.

1 – Parsley Root

This ingredient comes from the popular parsley herb, which most people enjoy using for flavoring and garnishing.

This root is very similar to a parsnip because of its tapered look, rough furrowing texture, an off-white color.

Parsley Root features a strong flavor and is often compared to a combo of carrot, celery root, and parsley.

However, this root does develop a silky and creamy consistency whenever you cook it.

You can bake, boil, steam, or even eat it raw with no compromise in its nutrition level.

It makes a great alternative for Celery Root because of its similar color and texture, even if the taste isn’t that close.

Substitute Ratio – You can use the same ratio but ensure that you add some celery salt or seeds for obtaining a stronger celeriac type of flavor.

2 – Jicama

This substitute is a wise choice because of its crunchy texture, but it does have a mild sweetness to it.

You need to start removing its skin and cut them into multiple thin sticks and finally dice it.

You can make a salad with it by adding tomatoes, lemon juice, corn, coriander, onion, and avocado.

Jicama is beneficial for your health, too, since it possesses a rich source of fiber, minerals, and vitamins.

It improves the digestive system and also decreases the chances of getting cardiovascular sickness and constipation.

Jicama also goes by the name of Jambean, and its appearance is a little intimidating as well.

Substitute Ratio – To maintain a similar texture and taste to a Celery Root, you should cook it for a short period or simply eat it raw.

3 – Parsnips

The taste is very similar to celery, but it does have a stronger herbal aroma.

Parsnips are also lighter, starchier, and smoother in texture, making them ideal for salads, stews, and soups.

They possess a rich source of both Vitamin C and E, helping build a tougher immune system.

However, Parsnips are a little sweeter compared to Celery Roots.

So, if your dish requires sugar, then you should make the adjustments accordingly.

Also, you need to ensure that you are cutting them in the same proportions as you normally do with your Celery Root.

Substitute Ratio – You can use the same ratio as you would with your Celery Root.

4 – Fennel Bulb

It refers to the white base or part of your Fennel Stalk and has feathery leaves that are light and dill-like.

Fennel Bulb has an aromatic anise-type of flavor and possesses a fresh and crunchy texture.

But the Fennel Bulb does smell like celery when it’s raw and can be eaten so as well.

You can sauté, roast, or add them to your salads and soups.

Fennel Bulb has a low number of calories and features an incredibly nutritious profile.

It boosts your immune system, increases metabolism, and also strengthens the bones.

Substitute Ratio – You can use the same amount but shorten the cooking time because it’s soft and cooks fast.

To prevent it from becoming mushy, add it when your dish is almost ready.

5 – Turnips

You can easily find turnips from the supermarket, and their shape looks like apples.

Just like a Celery Root, it has a crunchy appearance and firm texture.

It has a peppery and sweet taste that’s a little similar to a radish.

Turnips also come with a rich source of fiber, minerals, and vitamins.

You can cook it by braising, pureeing, simmering, sauteing, roasting, or even eating it raw.

It compliments ingredients like butter, mushrooms, thyme, cream, tarragon, cheese, garlic, potatoes, and chestnuts.

Substitute Ratio – Here, you can stick with the same ratio as the Celery Root in the recipe.

Conclusion

This roundish bulb has a mild and sweet taste that a lot of people enjoy.

This vegetable easily fits into low-carb and keto diets.

It comes from the Mediterranean and is also widely used in Northern and Eastern European regions.

With a Celery Root, you will have a lot of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

It also has anti-aging effects and reduces the risk of developing cancer, heart sickness, and Alzheimer’s.

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