Creamy Celery Salad

Here’s a classic, simple recipe for Creamy Celery Salad—crisp, refreshing, and perfect as a side dish or a light lunch.

Creamy Celery Salad

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 5–6 large celery ribs, with leaves if possible

• 1 tart green apple (Granny Smith), optional but recommended

• 1/3 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt (or a mix)

• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice or white wine vinegar

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• 1/2 tsp sugar or honey (optional, to balance)

• Salt & black pepper, to taste

• 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh herbs (parsley, dill, or chives)

• 1/4 cup toasted walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped

• 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese, feta, or shaved Parmesan (optional)

Instructions

1. Prep the celery
   Trim the ends and any stringy fibres from the celery stalks. Slice thinly on a sharp diagonal (about 1/4 cm / 1/8 inch thick). Roughly chop any celery leaves and set aside.

2. Prep the apple (if using)
   Quarter and core the apple, then slice into thin matchsticks or small cubes. Toss immediately with a little lemon juice to prevent browning.

3. Make the dressing
   In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise (or yogurt), lemon juice, Dijon mustard, sugar, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Taste and adjust the sharpness.

4. Assemble
   In a large bowl, combine the celery, apple, chopped celery leaves, and fresh herbs. Pour the dressing over and toss until everything is well coated.

5. Finish & serve
   Transfer to a serving dish, scatter over the toasted nuts and cheese (if using), and add a final crack of black pepper. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes for the flavours to meld, then serve chilled or at room temperature.

Make it a meal — add cooked chickpeas, shredded rotisserie chicken, or diced ham.
Would you like a vegan or dairy-free version of this recipe?