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If you're looking for a light and refreshing side, this Italian Celery Salad with Parmesan is a must-try. It's an easy celery salad recipe made with just a few simple ingredients, but the flavor is crisp, bright, and absolutely delicious. =
This celery salad is a simple version inspired by Ina Garten's Celery and Parmesan Salad.
The parmesan cheese adds a sharpness that complements the light, crunchy texture of the celery. Finished with a bright lemon vinaigrette, this refreshing dish pairs perfectly with grilled meat or a heavier main dish.
I love serving this Italian celery salad alongside grilled chicken skewers or Italian steaks with grilled peaches for dessert!
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Ingredients You Will Need
- Celery - I use an entire bunch of celery in this recipe - both stalks and leaves! It is all edible, so there is no waste, plus it adds great flavor and texture.
- Cheese - Parmigiano-Reggiano is an Italian cheese that adds a great salty and sharp quality to the celery salad. Pecorino Romano or Asiago would be good alternatives.
- Vinaigrette - The dressing for this celery salad is a simple vinaigrette made with lemon juice, olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper. It's light and adds a nice brightness to the salad.
Amanda's Secret Tip
If your celery is soft, cut an inch or two off the bottom and place it into a cup a cold water for 20-30 minutes to crisp it up!
Variations to Try
- Dairy-Free - Omit the parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free substitute.
- Nuts/Seeds - Add sliced almonds, sunflower seeds, or chopped walnuts for an extra nutty crunch!
- Fruit/Vegetables - Try adding dried cranberries, sliced apples, or sliced fennel for extra flavor.
- Spicy - Zest up the salad by adding ¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the vinaigrette.
How to Make Celery Salad with Parmesan
Slice and Combine - Slice the entire bunch of celery into 1-inch pieces, discarding the bottom of the stalks and any brown tips or bad spots. Add them to a serving bowl with the parmesan shavings and toss together.
Dress the Salad - Combine the lemon juice, olive oil, dried thyme, salt, and pepper in a mason jar. Cover and shake until the dressing is creamy. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss to combine.
Chill and Serve - You can serve the salad immediately, but I like to chill it for 30-60 minutes so it's nice and crisp!
Glossary
If you don't recognize a tool or skill I mentioned, you can look it up in my Glossary of Cooking Terms and Definitions for more information!
Storage Suggestions
I don't recommend making this celery salad more than a few hours ahead of time. After that, the dressing starts to break down the celery and cheese, and gets mushy. If you want to make it ahead of time, keep the dressing separate. Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
More Easy Side Dishes
If you loved this Italian Celery Salad, check out these other sides that are just as easy!
Recipe
Italian Celery Salad with Parmesan
Ingredients
- 1 bunch celery
- 2 ounces Parmigiano Reggiano, shaved
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 6 Tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Slice the entire bunch of celery, including the leaves, into 1-inch pieces, discarding only the bottom and any brown tips or bad spots.
- Combine the sliced celery and shaved Parmigiano Reggiano in a serving bowl and toss to combine.
- Combine the lemon juice, olive oil, dried thyme, salt, and pepper in a mason jar. Screw the lid on tightly and shake until the dressing is creamy. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss to coat.
- The salad can be served immediately, but is best when it's chilled for 30-60 minutes so it's crisp.
Notes
- Dairy Free - Omit the parmesan or use a dairy-free substitute.
- Nuts/Seeds - Add sliced almonds, sunflower seeds, or chopped walnuts.
- Fruit/Vegetables - Add dried cranberries, sliced apples, or sliced fennel.
- Different Cheese - Try feta, asiago, or pecorino romano.
- Spicy - Add ¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the dressing.
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