What Is Celery Salt?

You might mistake celery salt as the normal salt at first, but they’re totally different ingredients. 

As the name itself, celery salt is made from a mixture of crushed celery seeds and salt. It features a unique aroma and flavor profile that’s being acknowledged now in the culinary world.  

Its versatility complements well with other herbs and spices too. In fact, celery salt is one of the primary ingredients added in the Old Bay seasoning used to amp up deviled eggs, baked chicken wings, grilled corn on the cob, and salad dishes.

If you want to know more about the seasoning, then hop on! Today I’m going to share this guide so you can unlock everything surrounding this uber-flexible spice.

What is celery salt

Celery salt is a kind of spice made from ground celery seed and table salt (or sea salt). 

It has the distinct flavor of celery seed that’s completely different from the celery vegetable’s taste.

This versatile spice can be a game-changer, especially if you’re looking for seasoning to spice up the flavors of your favorite recipes. 

What does celery salt taste like

Celery salt, which consists of crushed celery seeds and fine salt, is a go-to condiment used to add zest to your recipes.

The combination of these two ingredients offers savory notes of celery to a dish. This flavoring agent is also a great choice for garnishing cocktails.  

Celery salt substitutes

Other spices out there can work as a substitute if you’re running out of celery salt.

Check out these substitutes, and you might be surprised how easy these ingredients to find or…they’re probably in your kitchen anyway!

1. Fresh celery

If you’re eager to incorporate that lovely celery flavor into your recipes, adding some fresh celery parts is a good choice.

Just dice celery leaves or stalks to your favorite salad or cook the roots with potatoes. To add crunch, include a dash of salt to the mixture.

2. Celery seed

Sometimes it’s more fun if you make your own blends of spices at home.

If your celery salt is MIA, one way to solve the problem is to make one!

Just purchase celery seed at the nearby grocery store or on Amazon, grind, and combine with table salt or pink Himalayan salt.

Quick tip: Choose the 2:1 ratio of salt to celery seed if you want to copy the celery salt sold commercially. 

3. Dill

Dried or fresh dill is a good substitute for celery salt. It has a unique taste that’s sometimes compared to fennel and celery.

This herb also features a fresh, strong aroma and citrus-like taste that blends perfectly with fish and seafood dishes.

Quick note: Cut the amount in half to avoid overpowering your dish. 

4. Fennel seeds

Grounding fennel seeds can bring out more flavor to the ingredient. It’s slightly sweet and offers a licorice-like taste that complements well with soups, fish dishes, and even desserts. 

The aromatic flavor of the spice can sometimes lead to overwhelming the other flavors. So it’s advisable to use less when you add them to your recipes.

Celery salt vs. celery seed

Is it celery salt or celery seed?

Though their flavor is quite alike, these ingredients are two different things. 

Celery salt, which is made of ground celery seeds and salt, offers a dual flavor punch of two spices instead of one. 

However, both celery seed and celery salt can provide extra flavor to your dishes.

They fit well with creamy dishes such as potato salad, coleslaw, and egg salad. 

They’re also a good addition to meat rubs as their flavor blends greatly with other spices.

Ingredients in celery salt

There are two main ingredients behind the aromatic flavor of celery salt: celery seeds and salt. This two-ingredient combination provides savory celery notes to your favorite salad recipes, cocktails, and even desserts. 

What do you use celery salt for

Many food enthusiasts have used celery in their daily cooking routine. In fact, this versatile spice is one of the sought-after flavor enhancers for dishes and cocktails. 

You can sprinkle them to your deviled eggs, baked chicken wings, grilled corn on the cob, potato salad, coleslaw, bloody mary, omelets, fried shrimp, mashed potatoes, and egg salad.

How to store homemade celery salt

To maximize the shelf life of your homemade celery salt, it’s advisable to store them in an airtight container and preferably out of direct sunlight. 

Also, make sure to keep the moisture out to retain flavor and potency better. 

How long does homemade celery salt last?

Your homemade celery salt will last up for at least six months if you store them in an airtight container with no moisture and direct sunlight.

How to make celery salt

So now that you’re already equipped with the necessary information regarding celery salt, it’s time for you to make for your recipes!

Commercial celery salt is made from ground celery seeds and salt. However, I used dried and grind celery leaves instead of seeds in this recipe version. Check this out!

The bottom line

There are fun ways to use celery salt.

In my case, I always add them to my omelets, baked potatoes, and fried shrimp.

Well, guess who’s hungry!

How about you? How do you use your celery salt?

Feel free to share with your tricks in using this versatile spice in the comments!