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You can do a lot with celery tops, and once you realize how useful they are, you’ll never toss them in the trash again.
Celery tops are the leafy green parts sitting at the end of every celery bunch, and they carry just as much flavor as the stalks you’re used to.
If you’ve been asking yourself what can you do with celery tops, the short answer is plenty, from cooking to garnishing to freezing for later.
In this post, we’ll look at what you can do with celery tops, why they deserve a spot in your kitchen, and how to use them without wasting a single leaf.
Let’s get to it.
What Can You Do With Celery Tops? Here’s the Answer
Celery tops are edible, flavorful, and versatile, so you can use them in more ways than most people realize.
Here’s why celery tops deserve a second look and what you can actually do with them.
1. Use Celery Tops as a Flavorful Herb
Celery tops taste like a cross between celery and parsley, which makes them a natural stand-in for herbs in tons of dishes.
You can chop celery tops finely and sprinkle them over soups, stews, and salads just like you would with parsley or cilantro.
The leaves bring a fresh, slightly peppery note that wakes up bland dishes without overpowering them.
This is one of the easiest answers to what can you do with celery tops because it requires zero cooking skill.
2. Toss Them Into Stocks and Broths
Celery tops are a classic addition to homemade stock, and there’s a good reason for that.
Along with onions and carrots, celery tops form part of the traditional mirepoix that gives stocks their deep, savory base.
You can throw whole celery tops into the pot while the stock simmers, then strain them out before serving.
The leaves release more flavor than the stalks alone, so you get a richer broth with almost no extra effort.
If you’re wondering what can you do with celery tops that saves money, this is it, since you’re using parts you’d normally compost.
3. Blend Them Into Pesto and Sauces
Celery tops work beautifully in pesto, especially when you mix them with basil, garlic, nuts, and olive oil.
You can also blend celery tops into chimichurri, salsa verde, or a creamy green sauce for pasta and grilled meats.
The leaves add a bright, herbal flavor that pairs well with lemon, garlic, and parmesan.
Next time you ask what can you do with celery tops, think beyond the salad bowl and reach for your blender.
4. Add Them to Smoothies and Juices
If you’re into green smoothies, celery tops are a smart addition because they’re packed with vitamins and fiber.
You can blend a handful of celery tops with spinach, apple, banana, and water for a refreshing drink.
The flavor is mild enough that it won’t ruin your smoothie, but it still adds a nutritional boost.
This is another simple answer to what can you do with celery tops without any fancy equipment.
More Ways to Use Celery Tops Without Wasting Them
Beyond cooking, there are several practical ways you can put celery tops to work in your kitchen.
1. Freeze Celery Tops for Later
Celery tops freeze well, so you can save them whenever you buy a bunch and use them months later.
Just wash the leaves, pat them dry, chop them up, and store them in a freezer bag or ice cube tray with a little water.
Then you can drop frozen celery tops straight into soups and stews whenever you need them.
This is a great way to answer what can you do with celery tops when you have more than you can use at once.
2. Dry Celery Tops Into a Homemade Seasoning
You can dry celery tops in a dehydrator or a low oven, then crush them into a powder.
That powder becomes a homemade celery salt or seasoning blend you can sprinkle on eggs, potatoes, and popcorn.
It stores for months in a sealed jar, so nothing goes to waste.
If you’ve ever wondered what can you do with celery tops that lasts, drying them is a solid option.
3. Use Celery Tops as a Garnish
Fresh celery leaves make an attractive garnish for platters, dips, and cocktails.
You can tuck a few leaves into a Bloody Mary, arrange them around a cheese board, or top a bowl of dip with them.
They add color and a subtle celery aroma that guests always notice.
So when someone asks what can you do with celery tops, tell them garnishing is one of the simplest tricks.
4. Infuse Vinegar or Oil With Celery Tops
You can steep celery tops in vinegar or olive oil to create a subtle, savory infusion.
Just pack clean celery tops into a jar, cover them with vinegar or oil, and let them sit for a week or two.
The result is a flavorful dressing base you can use on salads, roasted veggies, and grain bowls.
This is another creative answer to what can you do with celery tops that most people never think of.
So, What Can You Do With Celery Tops?
Celery tops are edible and useful, and you can chop, blend, freeze, dry, or infuse them instead of throwing them away.
From pesto and stock to smoothies and seasoning, celery tops earn their place in your kitchen.
So the next time you bring home a bunch of celery, don’t toss the leafy ends.
Now you know exactly what you can do with celery tops, and your cooking will be better for it.