How To Properly Store Celery In The Fridge

You can properly store celery in the fridge by keeping it cool, dry, and wrapped, so it stays crisp instead of turning limp and rubbery.
 
When you properly store celery in the fridge, it can last for weeks rather than wilting within a few days.
 
If you’ve ever pulled sad, bendy stalks from your crisper drawer, you’re not alone, and the fix is easier than you think.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to properly store celery in the fridge, the best wrapping methods, and the mistakes that make your celery go bad fast.
 

Why Properly Storing Celery in the Fridge Matters

Properly storing celery in the fridge matters because celery is mostly water, and once it loses that moisture, it wilts quickly.
 
Celery also absorbs odors from other foods, so how you store celery in the fridge affects both its crunch and its taste.
 
Let’s look at the reasons why properly storing celery in the fridge keeps it fresh longer.
 

1. Celery Is Mostly Water

Celery is about 95 percent water, which is why it snaps when fresh and bends when old.
 
When you properly store celery in the fridge, you slow down the moisture loss that causes limp stalks.
 
That’s the whole reason proper celery storage in the fridge revolves around locking in moisture.
 

2. Cold Slows Down Spoilage

Cold temperatures slow the natural breakdown of celery, so storing celery in the fridge keeps it fresh far longer than the counter.
 
When you store celery in the fridge properly, you’re essentially hitting pause on the aging process.
 
This is why learning how to properly store celery in the fridge is worth the two minutes it takes.
 

3. Celery Absorbs Fridge Odors

Celery easily takes on the smells of onions, leftovers, and anything else hanging out in your fridge.
 
When you properly store celery in the fridge in an airtight wrap, you block those odors from seeping in.
 
So storing celery in the fridge the right way protects both its texture and its flavor.
 

How to Properly Store Celery in the Fridge

How to properly store celery in the fridge comes down to one word: moisture control.
 
You want enough moisture to keep the stalks crisp, but not so much that they turn slimy.
 
Here are the best ways to properly store celery in the fridge so it stays fresh for weeks.
 

1. Wrap It in Aluminum Foil

The best way to properly store celery in the fridge is to wrap the whole bunch tightly in aluminum foil.
 
Foil lets ethylene gas escape while keeping moisture in, which is exactly what celery needs.
 
When you properly store celery in the fridge this way, it can stay crisp for up to four weeks.
 

2. Use a Paper Towel and Plastic Bag

If you don’t have foil, wrap the celery in a dry paper towel, then place it in a sealed plastic bag.
 
The paper towel absorbs extra moisture, while the bag keeps the stalks from drying out.
 
This method of properly storing celery in the fridge works great and keeps stalks fresh for one to two weeks.
 

3. Keep It in the Crisper Drawer

The crisper drawer is designed for vegetables, so it’s the ideal spot to properly store celery in the fridge.
 
Set the humidity control to high so the drawer holds in moisture without soaking the celery.
 
When you properly store celery in the fridge this way, you keep it away from the coldest spots that can freeze and ruin it.
 

4. Store Cut Celery in Water

If you’ve already chopped your celery, place the sticks upright in a jar with an inch of water.
 
Then cover the top loosely with a plastic bag and place it in the fridge.
 
This is another simple way to properly store celery in the fridge while keeping the cut ends hydrated.
 

5. Keep It Away From Ethylene Producers

Store celery in the fridge away from bananas, apples, and other ethylene-producing fruits.
 
Those fruits speed up ripening and can make your celery go bad faster.
 
So when you properly store celery in the fridge, give it its own space in the crisper.
 

Common Mistakes When Storing Celery in the Fridge

Even when you try to properly store celery in the fridge, a few common mistakes can still ruin it.
 
Avoiding these slip-ups is just as important as picking the right wrapping method.
 

1. Leaving It in the Original Plastic Sleeve

That plastic sleeve from the store traps moisture, which leads to slimy, rotten celery.
 
Remove it before you properly store celery in the fridge.
 

2. Washing Before Storing

Washing celery adds surface moisture that encourages mold and rot.
 
Wait until you’re ready to eat it before washing if your goal is to properly store celery in the fridge.
 

3. Storing It Near the Back Wall

The back of the fridge can get cold enough to freeze celery, turning it mushy.
 
Keep it in the middle or front of the crisper when you properly store celery in the fridge.
 

So, How to Properly Store Celery in the Fridge?

To properly store celery in the fridge, wrap it in foil or a paper towel and plastic bag, then keep it in the crisper drawer.
 
Cool temperatures, controlled moisture, and distance from ethylene-producing fruits are what keep celery crisp.
 
Now that you know how to properly store celery in the fridge, you can enjoy crunchy stalks for weeks instead of days.