Can You Freeze Celery Leaves? [Tested & Detailed Guide]

A Celery consists of a marshland plant from the Apiaceae family and has a lengthy fibrous stalk that tapers into leaves.

Both the stalks and leaves are edible, based on the cultivar and location.

You may not know this, but many people use its seeds as a spice and herbal medicine.

Celery leaves aren’t just delicious, but they also come with a ton of nutrition.

You can chop or mince them, depending upon what you want.

There are many popular celery recipes for you to try, such as the Stir-Fry Chinese Celery, Celery and Buttermilk Smashed Potatoes, or the Raw Vegan Celery & Raisin Salad.

The use of celery leaves is quite widespread in continents like Asia, North America, and Europe.

Many people also consider Celery leaves, bell peppers, and onions as the holy trinity.

Celery leaves are a staple in popular chicken noodle soups as well. Can you freeze celery leaves? Yes, you absolutely can.

We would recommend you to do so if you are planning them to store for further use.

When you buy or cultivate them in bulk, it is safer to freeze them to avoid spoiling these leaves.

Does Freezing Affect Celery Leaves?

You can freeze your celery leaves just like any other veggies or fruits.

But when you freeze its leaves, you end up affecting its texture up to a significant amount.

The celery leaves will become less crispy and lose their prominent flavors based on how you freeze them.

They also possess a high-water content, causing them to break down when you freeze them.

However, you can expect the nutrition to remain intact at all times.

You can still cook the frozen celery leaves, but it is always best to directly eat them raw.

Some people are against the idea of freezing these celery leaves.

For them, it isn’t just about the loss of flavor but how mushy these leaves may get.

But at the end of the day, it all depends on how you freeze it, which determines its quality.

How To Freeze Celery Leaves?

The first thing that you need to do is to wash and dry your celery leaves thoroughly.

Ensure that there isn’t a drop of water on the leaves as it will affect the quality when you thaw it.

You can choose to freeze your celery leaves in two ways, I.e., chopped up or as a whole.

The Whole Method:

• Start twisting and spiraling your leaves gently together once they fully dry up. It should be in the form of a cigar shape or tube.
• Proceed to tuck them inside a freezer-safe Ziploc bag. Ensure that you are getting all the air out. Proceed to store it inside the freezer.
• When you wish to use some frozen leaves, you may not want to use everything at once. Here, you need to chop off a part of the tube. Now, put back the rest of it inside the freezer at the earliest.

The Chopping Method:

• If you are planning to chop up the celery leaves, you need to freeze them individually.
• Proceed in placing a single piece of parchment paper on the baking sheet. Start spreading out the celery leaves in one layer.
• Put the whole tray inside the freezer for an hour. It is for ensuring that everything is fully frozen.
• Lastly, you have to transfer them inside a Ziploc bag that is freezer-safe directly. However, you need to do it fast since it doesn’t take long for the thin celery leaves to start thawing.

Celery naturally has a concise shelf life so that it won’t last for long in your fridge.

But upon, freezing these leaves, you can extend their longevity for over a year inside the freezer.

There are also Blanche and freeze their celery, causing the leaves to last for over 12-18 months inside the freezer.

How To Thaw Frozen Celery Leaves?

Celery leaves tend to thaw out very fast, but you can still use them even when they are frozen.

Most people use frozen celery leaves in their blender to make delicious smoothies.

Many people skip the thawing and proceed to cook it using the casserole, pot, or slow-cooker.

When it comes to thawing celery leaves, there isn’t much technicality.

You can take it out from the freezer and place it on the kitchen counter.

Once you leave it on a plate at room temperature, the frozen celery leaves start to defrost in 10-15 minutes.

However, if you have time, you can always take it out from the freezer and transfer it to your fridge.

You can leave it overnight and let the frozen celery leaves defrost inside.

In this way, you can use these leaves for your meals the following day.

Caution:

These leaves are vulnerable to breakage when frozen, so you need to handle them delicately.

Also, if you are planning to use only half of them, you need to put the rest back as soon as possible.

And while you are at it, ensure that you aren’t letting any air inside the bag.

Exposure to air, water, and bacteria will instantly spoil your frozen leaves.

So, instead of storing it for months, the frozen celery leaves will last for a week or less.

We would also advise you to use a large plate or bowl to capture the condensation from dripping on your kitchen counter.

Conclusion

Celery has a unique flavor, and most people make it their ideal afternoon snack.

You can use its leaves and stalks on a variety of meals and cuisines.

It also has an array of health benefits that boost your health.

It offers numerous antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins accompanied by a lower glycemic index.

This vegetable also reduces inflammation and supports digestion.

However, just like any other food, you need to eat it moderately.

Also, when you are trying to buy celery, ensure that you go for bunches with dark and lovely leaves within the outer stalk.

If the leaves are dark, it shows that it’s tough, suitable for freezing.

About The Author

Sharing is caring!