Can You Freeze Celery? And Should You Freeze It?

You can absolutely freeze celery, and if you chop it properly, blanch it, and dry it off before freezing, it can last about 12 months in the freezer. 

Frozen celery is not going to come out crisp and snappy like it was fresh off the stalk, but it will still be good for soups, stir-fries, stews, and stocks. 

But there are many other types of celery that you can freeze, and the process may vary depending on whether you are freezing chopped celery, whole celery stalks, or celery juice.

Pay attention to these steps for your celery to stay safe and usable for as long as you need it.

1. Freezing Chopped Celery

Chopped celery can last up to 12 months in the freezer if you blanch it before freezing. If you decide to skip blanching, use the frozen celery within 2–3 months for best quality.

Either way, keep it in an airtight container or freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.

How to Freeze Chopped Celery

1. Wash your celery and chop it however you normally would for cooking
2. Blanch it (this helps it hold onto its flavor and color):
3. Boil for 1–2 minutes.
4. Drop it in an ice bath to cool.
5. Dry it off with a clean towel—excess moisture is the enemy of good freezing.
6. Pre-freeze on a baking sheet so it doesn’t all clump together.
7. Toss it in a freezer bag or container, label it, and pop it in the freezer.

Chopped celery is best for soups, sauces, casseroles, stir-fries, risotto, and other recipes where the celery is cooked. 

2. Freezing Whole Celery Stalks

You can freeze celery stalks whole, raw, or blanched: it’s up to how much effort you want to put in. Whole celery stalks can last 2 to 4 weeks in the fridge if stored properly.

But it is usually better to freeze chopped celery than whole celery stalks: big pieces take up space and thaw slower, so unless you’re juicing, chopping first is usually smarter.

How to Freeze Celery Stalks

1. Wash and trim the celery
2. Wrap the stalks in foil or plastic wrap.
3. Store in an airtight container or bag.
4. Store in the crisper drawer for optimal humidity.

Frozen celery stalks are great for juicing later or chopping down the line.

3. Freezing Celery and Carrots Together

You can freeze celery and carrots together. Just make sure to blanch them separately since they cook at slightly different speeds. Blanch the celery for about 2 minutes and the carrots for about 3 minutes.

Follow these steps:

1. Wash and chop both the celery and carrots.
2. Blanch them separately (celery: 1–2 mins, carrots: 2–3 mins), then cool in ice water.
3. Dry well and mix.
4. Freeze in batches or pre-portion them—ice cube trays, muffin tins, or even Ziplocs work great.

4. Freezing Celery Juice

Freezing celery juice is super easy and, honestly, might be the most fuss-free option of all. Follow these steps to free celery juice.

• Juice the celery.
• Pour into ice cube trays or silicone molds.
• Freeze, then transfer to a freezer bag.

Frozen celery juice is best for smoothie lovers, green juice fans, or anyone who is a fan of celery juice. You can also add celery juice to your list of St Patrick’s Day Recipes for a happy celebration.

Quick Recap: How to Freeze Different Types of Celery.

Freezing a lot of Celery?

Freezing large amounts of celery, as well as many other vegetables, is often quite a challenge for commercial restaurants or large families.

Wilprep’s commercial refrigerators are ideal for storing large amounts of celery.

• Larger crisper drawers for better airflow and humidity control.
• Separate compartments to keep celery fresh longer (especially if using the water method or wrapping in foil).
• Adjustable humidity settings in the crisper help maintain celery's crispness.
• Ample fridge space and deep drawers for proper storage. 

How Good is Frozen Celery?

So, here’s the deal: freezing celery will lead to it losing some of its texture and freshness, but that is essentially the same as freezing apples or any other kind of vegetable.

Frozen celery is good for anything that simmers, sautés, or blends. Do you have a bunch of celery sitting around right now? Chop, blanch, and stash—it’ll be there waiting when you need it.

More Celery Storage Tips

Can You Store Celery in the Fridge?

Just like many other foods, you can store celery in the fridge if you intend to use it in the short term. Celery can last anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks in the fridge, depending on how you store it.

The best way to make celery last longer in the fridge is to wrap it in aluminum foil.  The foil keeps the celery fresh, lets it breathe, and it can last about 2-4 weeks in the fridge.

You can also store it in an airtight container or plastic bag, but it may not last more than a week.

Here’s a table to help you store your celery in the fridge:

How to Store Celery in the Fridge (and Keep It Crisp)

Best Method: Wrap in Aluminum Foil

• Separate the stalks if needed.
• Wrap them snugly in foil (not too tight—you want some air circulation).
• Place in the crisper drawer.
• This slows down moisture loss while letting excess gas escape, which keeps the celery fresh longer.

Another Option: Store in Water

• Chop or separate the stalks.
• Place in a sealed container filled with cold water.
• Store it in the fridge and change the water every few days.

Great if you use celery in small amounts regularly and want it to stay crisp.

Don’t Just Leave Celery in the Store Bag

• The plastic traps moisture and ethylene gas, making celery wilt fast.
• If you must use plastic, poke some holes for ventilation or wrap it in paper towels.

Make the Most of Your Celery

Celery is the perfect aromatic vegetable to have on St Patrick’s day. Check out some St Patrick’s Day Recipes you can use your celery for. They are quick and easy! 

Also, you might be interested in whether you can freeze buttermilk and how much power a fridge uses for all these freezing tasks.

Emily Wilford

Emily Wilford is a passionate culinary equipment expert with extensive experience in the commercial kitchen industry. As a dedicated contributor to Wilprep Kitchen, Emily has a deep understanding of the tools and technologies that drive efficient, high-quality food preparation. With her industry knowledge and hands-on experience, she provides insightful articles that help readers navigate the world of commercial kitchen equipment. Explore her expert advice and tips at Wilprep Kitchen