If there is any vegetable that looks bland but is one of the best out there in terms of flavor, it is Celery Root. Also known as celeriac, celery root is an incredibly versatile ingredient that can be used as an accompaniment to many recipes.

But what if it is a Sunday morning and you are too lazy to go to the store? You can’t miss the making of spiced pork with celery root puree just because it is unavailable. The game must go on, and that is what we are going to deal with today; the best substitutes for celery root!

Celery root is a versatile root vegetable used in making stews, salads, and mashes. It is your go-to, best buddy if you are on a low-carb or Keto diet which is quite trendy these days. It is not the same as celery, contrary to popular assumption.

So, what can be done if you are out of celery root? Read this article to know more in detail about celery roots, their uses, and the best substitutes. 

What Is Celery Root?

Let’s get started with the names first. Celery root is also known as celeriac, knob celery, and turnip-rooted celery. It hails from the parsley family and can be called the cousin of parsnips, carrots, and celery.

Cousin of celery? Yes. Celery root isn’t the same as the crunchy celery stalks that you have seen in the grocery store. They belong to the same but are fundamentally different in texture and their culinary uses.

Celery root is a variety of celery that has an underground tuber-like that of a potato. While celery sticks out of the plant at the top portion, celery root is the root that is pulled out for harvesting. 

When it comes to flavor and texture, celery and celery root are different. Celery root tastes similar to celery, but it has a more intense, earthy, nutty flavor. They can be substituted for each other, but surely you will notice the difference.

Uses of Celery Root

Agreed that celery root is an unusual vegetable, but that doesn’t mean it is devoid of culinary uses and nutritional values. You can simply grate it into salads for a dense flavor. It can be used as an addition to the classic Middle Eastern dish hummus using any vegetable. 

Celery root can be pureed or mashed to prepare a thick, creamy, delicious soup. For a fantastic snack option, chop off these roots into small slices, bake them and use them as a good replacement for potato chips.

Coming to its nutritional value, celery root is rich in essential nutrients and minerals such as Vitamin C and Vitamin K. It is great in reducing the risk of diabetes and enhancing bone health. 

That is all you need to know about celery root. Now let us get into the most important stuff – its substitutes. 

8 Best Substitutes For Celery Root

The eight best substitutes for celery root are as follows:

1. Parsley Root

Parsley root is what you think it is; the root of parsley. It is also known as Hamburg parsley, rooted parsley, and turnip-rooted parsley. Raw parsley root has a firm, delicate texture. 

Once cooked, it has a smooth, velvety texture. It is rich in aroma with a fragrance similar to that of celery. To substitute celery root with parsley root in your recipes, you can add celery seeds or celery salt.

2. Parsnip

A member of the parsley family, parsnip is a carrot-shaped root vegetable with a sweet flavor. It has a delicate texture with a rich, herbal aroma. It tastes similar to celery root. In fact, it tastes sweeter than celery root. So be mindful of the sugar you add to your recipes.

3. Turnip

Behold the creamy-colored root vegetable with an attractive purple crown; the turnip. Turnip is a root vegetable with a crisp and crunchy texture. This versatile vegetable has a sweet flavor while its leaves are spicy. For the similarity in sweetness, they can easily replace celery root.

4. Carrot

Another great, versatile, tasty, and super healthy alternative for celery root is carrot. It has a crunchy texture and renders a sweet flavor when cooked in recipes. If you don’t mind its orange color in your recipe, readily go with carrots instead of celery root. For an authentic taste of celery root, add a bit of celery salt or seeds alongside carrot.

5. Chopped Celery

Celery and celery roots belong to the same plant, but now we know there are differences between the two. Celery has long, tender, juicy stalks with an earthy, salty flavor. Since celery has a thin consistency, you might have to add a thickening agent while using it as a replacement for celery root. 

6. Jicama

Mexican turnip, or Mexican yam bean or simply Jicama, is another root vegetable with brown skin and succulent, crispy flesh.

It has a mildly sweet and nutty flavor that can be thought of as a hybrid of potato and pear. It has a low glycemic index and calorie content. It is the best alternative for celery root in the case of salads. 

7. Daikon Radish

Japanese radish or Daikon radish is a variety of radish with long roots (Daikon means ‘big root’ in Japanese). It has a sweet flavor with undertones of spiciness. It may need the help of celery to simulate the original flavor of celery root in your recipes while using it as a substitute.

8. Fennel Bulb

A unique member of the carrot family, the fennel bulb is not a root vegetable but a plant that has a crisp bulb and fluffy leaves. It has a sweet flavor profile similar to that of licorice.

It can easily replace celery root in soups and salads due to this flavor profile. However, you may want to take care of the time you take to cook. Fennel bulbs cook faster, unlike celery roots.

Final Word

I am a huge fan of celery root, and the same reason propelled me to find its substitutes. Each of them can be very good at brightening your recipes. However, choose a substitute that caters perfectly to your demands and let me know what worked out for the best. See you, then!