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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Italian Celery Salad with Parmesan

    Published: Aug 6, 2021 · Modified: Aug 1, 2022 by Amanda · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads

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    Jump to Recipe
    celery and parmesan salad on a wooden platter with a spoon
    chopped celery and shaved parmesan salad on a wooden platter and white plate

    This Italian celery salad is both light and refreshing and takes less than 10 minutes to put together. Sprinkled with fresh parmesan cheese shavings and dressed with a light lemon dressing, this vegetarian salad is perfect for summertime.

    Italian celery salad on a wooden try and a white plate with a fork.

    This post was originally published in September 2020 and has been updated for content

    This celery salad is a simple version inspired by Ina Garten's Celery and Parmesan Salad. The sharp flavor of the parmesan cheese complements the light and crunchy texture of the celery. Finished off with the 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 steaks, roast chicken, eggplant parmesan or Italian rice balls.

    Jump to:
    • 🥬 Ingredient notes
    • 📋 Substitutions and Variations
    • 🔪 Step by step instructions
    • ⭐ Expert tips
    • 🍽 Serving and storage suggestions
    • 🥗 More salad recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🥬 Ingredient notes

    celery, oil, parmesan, salt, pepper, thyme and lemon juice on a sheet pan.
    • Celery - An entire bunch of raw celery is used in this celery salad recipe. Both the stalks and leaves of celery are edible and provide great flavor and texture. The only part you will discard, are any brown tips or bad spots along with the very bottom of the celery.
    • Parmesan - The shaved parmesan cheese adds a great salty and sharp quality to the celery salad which can sometimes be plain on its own. Pecorino romano, asiago or feta cheese would be good alternatives.
    • Lemon Dressing - The dressing for this celery salad is a simple vinaigrette made up of lemon juice, olive oil, thyme, salt and pepper. It's light and adds a nice brightness to the salad.

    📋 Substitutions and Variations

    • Vegan/Dairy Free - To make this celery salad vegan or dairy free, omit the parmesan cheese.
    • Nuts/Seeds - Add sliced almonds, sunflower seeds or chopped walnuts for extra crunch.
    • Fruit/Vegetables - Add in dried cranberries, sliced apples or sliced fennel for extra flavor.
    • Spicy - Add ¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the dressing to kick the flavor up a notch!

    🔪 Step by step instructions

    First slice the entire bunch of celery into one inch slices, discarding the bottom of the stalks and any brown tips or bad spots. Combine in a mixing bowl with the parmesan shavings to toss together.

    chopped celery on a cutting board and a mixing bowl with celery and parmesan.

    In a small mason jar or container with a lid, add all of the ingredients for the dressing. Cover and shake until the dressing is creamy and well combined together. Pour the dressing over the celery and parmesan and toss everything together.

    mason jar with lemon dressing and mixing bowl with celery and parmesan.

    Serve this celery salad immediately or place in the fridge to chill for 30-60 minutes.

    italian celery salad on a wooden tray with a metal spoon.

    If you ever don't recognize a tool or skill that I mention, be sure to look it up in the Glossary of Cooking Terms and Definitions for more information.


    ⭐ Expert tips

    • Is your celery not as crisp as you would like it to be? Cut the bottom off of the bunch of celery and place it in cold water for 20-30 minutes to crisp it up again.

    🍽 Serving and storage suggestions

    I don't recommend making this celery salad more than a few hours ahead of time as the dressing will start to break down the cheese and celery. Instead, mix together the celery and parmesan and store in the fridge separately from the dressing. Then, when it's time to serve, simply toss the salad with the dressing.

    Leftover celery salad can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 24 hours.

    🥗 More salad recipes

    If you loved this Italian celery salad, check out these other salad recipes that I know you will love too!

    • Winter Citrus Salad
    • Curry Pecan Chicken Salad
    • Melon Prosciutto Salad

    Don't Forget! If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and give it a rating. I love to hear from each and every one of you! Tag me on Facebook and Instagram as well! It makes my day to see all of your photos of the food you have made.


    📖 Recipe

    raw celery salad with parmesan on a wooden tray with a metal serving spoon

    Italian Celery Salad with Parmesan

    Amanda
    This Italian celery salad is both light and refreshing and takes less than 10 minutes to put together. Sprinkled with fresh parmesan cheese shavings and dressed with a light lemon dressing, this vegetarian salad is perfect for summertime.
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 8 mins
    Total Time 8 mins
    Course Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 123 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 bunch celery
    • 2 ounces parmesan cheese shavings
    • 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 approximately one inch pieces. Discard the bottom and any brown tips or bad spots.
    • Combine celery and parmesan cheese shavings in a mixing bowl and toss to combine. 
    • In a small mason jar or container with a lid, combine lemon juice, olive oil, dried thyme, salt and pepper. Close jar and shake until combined and creamy in texture. Pour dressing over celery and parmesan and toss to combine. 
    • Serve immediately at room temperature or chill for 30-60 minutes in the refrigerator before serving.

    Notes

    This salad is adapted from Ina Garten's Celery and Parmesan Salad
    • Crisp up limp celery by cutting off the bottom of the bunch of celery and place it in cold water for 20-30 minutes to crisp it up again.
     

    Substitutions and Variations

    • Vegan/Dairy Free - to make this salad vegan or dairy free, omit the parmesan cheese.
    • Nuts/Seeds - add sliced almonds, sunflower seeds or chopped walnuts for extra crunch.
    • Fruit/Vegetables - add in dried cranberries, sliced apples or sliced fennel for extra flavor.
    • Different Cheese - try feta, asiago or pecorino romano as other cheese alternatives.
    • Spicy - add ¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the dressing to kick the flavor up a notch!
     

    Storage Suggestions

    If making this salad ahead of time, store the combined celery and parmesan in the refrigerator separately from the dressing. When it's time for serving, pour the dressing over celery and parmesan and toss to combine. 
    Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 123kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 263mgPotassium: 25mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 84IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 87mgIron: 1mg
    Did You Make This Recipe?Mention @SaporitoKitchen or tag #SaporitoKitchen!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mama Maggie's Kitchen

      August 09, 2021 at 3:08 pm

      5 stars
      It looks incredibly delicious. I wish this were in front of me.

      Reply
      • Amanda

        August 10, 2021 at 2:05 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    2. Chef Dennis

      August 09, 2021 at 2:49 pm

      5 stars
      This italian celery salad is perfect! And the Parmesan really added to the flavor!

      Reply
      • Amanda

        August 10, 2021 at 2:04 pm

        Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

        Reply
    3. Amanda Dixon

      August 09, 2021 at 11:19 am

      5 stars
      This is such a great summer salad! It was super crisp and refreshing, and I love the flavor the Parmesan added.

      Reply
      • Amanda

        August 09, 2021 at 1:26 pm

        Thanks Amanda, I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    4. Ramona

      August 09, 2021 at 10:07 am

      5 stars
      Simple indeed, delicious and super healthy. It was a first-timer but I will make it again. Delishhhh!

      Reply
      • Amanda

        August 09, 2021 at 1:27 pm

        Thank you for trying the recipe!

        Reply
    5. Kayla DiMaggio

      August 09, 2021 at 9:45 am

      5 stars
      This italian salad was so simple and easy, I loved the fresh flavors!

      Reply
      • Amanda

        August 09, 2021 at 1:27 pm

        Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

        Reply
    6. michele

      August 09, 2021 at 7:23 am

      5 stars
      What a delicious new way to enjoy celery! I especially loved the celery leaves and parmesan combo.

      Reply
      • Amanda

        August 09, 2021 at 1:27 pm

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
    7. Anaiah

      August 08, 2021 at 8:09 pm

      5 stars
      This was such an incredible salad to serve before dinner. I loved the tangy lemon with the parmesan on top and the crisp texture of the celery. Great combo!

      Reply
      • Amanda

        August 09, 2021 at 1:28 pm

        Thank you for trying the recipe, I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply

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