Celery salt substitutes are not hard to find if you have a basic understanding of spices and their combinations.
Do you know that they make Bloody Mary with celery salt? It’s also an integral part of Chicago-style hot dogs. Not to mention, it’s a part of Old Bay Seasoning.
Celery salt has become a childhood spice of many people when their mothers serve them eggs with it.
In case you have no choice but to replace it with another possible option, you might want to choose the best alternatives out there.
You’ve come to the right place.
Let me help you find the substitutes which enhance the dish more than you expect.
What Is Celery Salt?
Celery salt is a spice made from ground celery seeds and table salt. (1) It’s often used to season foods and make them taste more flavorful.
At first glance, it tastes like sea salts with salty savor, but then it has a noticeable herbaceous note.
It’s also described as having a peppery and grassy flavor, with a slightly bitter taste that becomes more evident at the finish.
It adds an extra layer of flavoring to anything you would sprinkle on, including soups, potatoes, cooked vegetables, rice, or popcorn.
Celery Salt Substitute Conversion Chart
If you want to know the proper amount of each substitute you’re going to use in the recipe, you might need to have a look at this table. Have fun cooking!
| Celery Salt Substitutes | Ratio |
| Celery Seeds + Salt | 1 tbsp of celery salt = 1 tbsp of celery seeds + 2 tbsp salt Or 1 tbsp of celery salt = 1 tbsp of celery seeds + 1 tbsp salt for stronger celery flavor |
| Dehydrate Celery | ¼ tbsp of celery salt = 1 dehydrate celery stalk |
| Regular Salt | 1 tsp of celery salt = 1 tsp of regular salt |
| Parsley Leaves And Salt | According to your taste |
| Dill Seeds And Salt | 1 tbsp of celery salt = 1 tbsp mixture of dill seeds and salt (1:2 ratio) |
| Celery Flakes And Salt | 1 tbsp of celery salt = 1 tbsp of celery flakes + salt |
| Fresh Celery And Salt | A larger amount of fresh celery |
| Nigella Seeds | 1 tbsp of celery salt = 1 tbsp of nigella seeds |
| Cilantro Leaves And Salt | According to your taste |
| Fennel Seeds | Start with a small amount of 1 part of fennel seeds and 2 parts of salt |
| Lovage Seeds And Salt | 1 tsp of celery salt = 1 tsp of lovage seeds + 2 tsp of salt |
| Celeriac Leaves And Stalks | According to your taste |
| Caraway Seeds And Salt | 1 tsp of celery salt = 1 tbsp of caraway seeds + 2 tbsp of salt |
| Homemade Celery Salt | 2 tbsp of celery salt = 1 cup of fresh celery leaves + 1/8 tsp of salt |
| Carrot Green And Salt | According to your taste |
15 Handy Celery Salt Alternatives You’ll Love
Here are some handy celery salt replacements you can try to complete your undone recipe. I’ve elaborated on their flavors, textures, and culinary uses so that you can start cooking right away.
1. Celery Seed And Salt
If you don’t have any celery salt left in the kitchen, then what about making some yourself from scratch with celery seed and salt? It might be much easier and quicker than you think!
The most important thing you need to pay attention to here is the relative amount between celery seeds and salt. The recommended ratio is 1:2, which means you use one part of celery seeds for two parts of salt.
To get stronger celery, you can reduce one part of salt and use equal amounts of celery seeds and salt in cooking.
It would help if you pulverized the celery seeds with a spice grinder or mortar and pestle, then mixed them generously with salt.
Although the texture of homemade celery salt will be a bit coarser and crunchier, it tastes fresh, peppery, and more aromatic than store-bought products.
Because this substitute is exactly celery salt made from celery seeds and salt, you will use the exact amount that the recipe calls for.
2. Dehydrate Celery
Using dehydrated celery to replace celery salt seems to be a good idea. It’s a sure thing that the result will taste closely similar to the store-bought celery salt.
Firstly, you need to chop the stalk – a sodium-rich part of fresh celery into small pieces. In general, it would be best if you use 1 stalk of celery when the recipe requires 1/4 tablespoon of celery salt.
Then, you’ll need a dehydrator so that you can start dehydrating them for a day at 115° F. If you don’t have one, you can place them in the oven at a low temperature.
Next, grind the dehydrated celery stalks into powder and use them to replace celery salt in your dishes, especially soups and stews.
Let’s try to make a batch of dehydrated celery in your kitchen! Watch this video to know:
3. Regular Salt
The next option can be an easy one which you indeed have at home: regular salt. It can be acceptable for almost any recipe which calls for any flavored salt.
To substitute, you can use it in the same amount as indicated in the recipe. For example, you add 1 teaspoon of regular salt for 1 teaspoon of celery salt.
There is the fact that flavored salt brings another layer of flavor to the dish. As for celery salt, it will add a peppery note; therefore, it imparts a warm and intense savor and makes food more delicious and irresistible.
To get the same effect, it’s advised that you can add some pepper according to your taste.
In addition, it’s up to the recipe; you can go for finely ground or coarse salt.
4. Parsley Leaves And Salt
There are two types of parsley: flat-leaf and curly-leaf, and both of them are widely used in cooking. While flat-leaf parsley is often used as an ingredient of the dish, curly-leaf parsley is common in garnishing and decorating foods.
If you intend to choose parsley leaves and salt as a replacement for celery salt, you can opt for any parsley in your hands.
They both have a fresh, peppery flavor with earthy undertones. Parsley is said to be able to freshen up the dish or lift up the flavor in an elegant way. So, don’t hesitate to toss a handful of fresh or dried parsley into any dish you would like to liven it up.
They’re perfect for salads, soups, veggies, sauces, hummus, or mixing with ground lamb, corned beef, and more.
To mimic celery salt, add 2 tablespoons of salt for every 1 tablespoon of dried parsley and adjust depending on your taste.
5. Dill Seeds And Salt
Dill and celery belong to the same family, so dill seeds and salt can be used as a reasonable alternative for celery salt in various recipes.
Dill seeds are known as one of the most potent herbs, with a hint of anise and lemon. It’s versatile and used extensively in the kitchen.
Although they don’t have a peppery flavor like celery, they have a slightly earthy aroma which somewhat can replace celery salt’s flavor in salads, dressings, and seafood dishes.
I don’t recommend you use them for soups and dry rubs as the difference between dill seeds and celery salt will be noticeable.
When adding dill seeds, don’t forget to accompany them with regular salt. Let’s use an equal amount of dill seeds and salt as you would with celery salt.
6. Celery Flakes And Salt
Made from the stalk and leaves of fresh celery, celery flakes are as popular as celery salt, which you can find easily in the nearest grocery store.
It has a long shelf life and can be stored in the pantry in case of running out of celery-related ingredients like fresh celery, celery seeds, celery salt, and more.
This ingredient retains its peppery and aromatic flavors, and it can replace celery salt in numerous dishes from sausage making, stuffings, dips, sauces, and soups.
As you might not know, celery flakes can be used similarly to celery seeds. You can grind them into powder, then add in dry rubs, salad dressings, and potato salads.
The substituting ratio will be 1:1, together with a reasonable amount of salt according to your taste.
7. Fresh Celery And Salt
Fresh celery can be an excellent substitute for celery salt, especially if you have a bunch of it in the fridge. It seems to have a bolder flavor than the dried and seed form; however, you still need a larger quantity to get the aroma you expect.
Depending on the recipe, you can cut whole fresh celery into pieces according to the required size, then use them in cooking.
However, they can’t be as tiny as celery seeds or celery flakes. So, they are suitable to add in casseroles, salads, stir-fries, and stews where they don’t need to blend in thoroughly. Besides peppery flavor, they add a pleasant crunch to the dish and make it more enjoyable.
Also, fresh celery can be used in place of celery salt when you plant to cook food that pairs well with it, such as green beans or eggs.
Keep in mind that you need salt to complete the task. Use one teaspoon of salt for one teaspoon of celery salt, and everything will be alright.
8. Nigella Seed
Thanks to their strong aroma and crunchy texture, Nigella seeds are widely used in Indian, Middle Eastern, and North African cuisines.
From the outside, they look like black sesames, but they are different in flavor. Nigella seeds are said to have a smoky, oniony, and slightly bitter savor. Their flavor might be a combination of oregano, onion, cumin, and black pepper.
Keep in mind that they might make a dish nuttier than celery salt, but they can also add a peppery note to it.
Moreover, nigella seeds are proven to have cancer-fighting properties (2), so they might be a healthy option to use in stews, soups, stir-fries, vegetable salads instead of celery salt if you’re short of it.
Once toasted, they tend to fully release their aroma and become crispier when eating. After that, grind them into powder, add salt, and mix well before using.
The same proportion of nigella seeds compared to celery salt will be just fine in this case.
9. Cilantro Leaves And Salt
Cilantro is from the coriander plant and is said to be similar to parsley. However, it has a stronger flavor with a hint of citrus aroma.
The reason why it’s on my list is that it has a warm and peppery taste which is somewhat like celery so that it’s an amazing alternative in case you need it.
Not all people like cilantro because some think they taste like soap, but I know many who love to add it into any dish, from salads, tacos to salsas. You can use fresh cilantro with fish, chicken, meat, and vegetable dishes.
As usual, mix 1 part of dried cilantro leaves with 2 parts of sea salt and enjoy it as a replacement for celery salt.
Find out 3 ways to preserve cilantro for months! Watch this video:
10. Fennel Seeds And Salt
Fennel seeds are a familiar ingredient that you might work a lot within your kitchen. They are on the substitute list for celery salt because they have a warm and aromatic flavor, so it’s suitable to add to soups, stews, and meat dishes.
Grind them before mixing with salt with the ratio of 1:2 and add to the recipe you plan to cook. Thanks to their sweet side, fennel seeds perform well in the dish, with meat as the main ingredient.
Also, they pair well with various vegetables, including cucumber, zucchini, carrots, red cabbage, pumpkin, and Brussels sprouts.
Because of their strong licorice-like aroma, I highly recommend that you start with a small amount, then work up gradually until you get the desired flavor.
Curious about fennel seeds? Here’s your answer!
11. Lovage Seeds And Salt
As you might not know, the flavor of lovage leaves, seeds, and stems are pretty similar to celery. So, lovage seeds might be an excellent substitute for celery salt when you need it.
They are native to Europe and have been cultivated as a culinary ingredient for quite a long time. Lovage seeds add an intense celery-like flavor to pork or poultry dishes, soups, stews, and stocks.
If possible, smash the seeds as finely as possible, and toss them to baked goods and cheeses to create an impressive aroma.
Like other types of seeds in my list, you also need to grind the lovage seeds to make lovage salt.
The recommended ratio will be 1 teaspoon of celery salt for 1 teaspoon of lovage salt.
12. Celeriac Leaves And Stalks
Celeriac belongs to the same family as celery, but the only difference is celeriac is cultivated for its root while celery is grown for its stalk.
In terms of flavor, celeriac leaves and stalks are totally edible and taste like celery, so they can be a brilliant backup option in cooking.
They’re a highly versatile ingredient that you can fry, roast, mash, grill, steam, or saute. Chopped fresh celeriac leaves and stalks work well in salads, stir-fries, soups, rice dishes, egg dishes, and stews.
Like fresh celery, you can dehydrate it, then crush or grind it and mix with salt to create a mixture that is able to replace celery salt.
13. Caraway Seeds And Salt
If you’re going to cook meat dishes but run out of celery salt, it would be helpful if you had a jar of caraway seeds within reach. This sweet ingredient could complement meats excellently and bring you an out-of-the-world dish.
You can incorporate this spice into casseroles, sauces, desserts, stews, curries, soups, and salads. As far as I know, it can perform well with both sweet and savory recipes, so keeping it as a staple food in your pantry is always a good idea.
I suggest reaching for the powdered version of caraway seeds because it’s way more convenient when replacing celery salt.
Because caraway seeds have a robust and distinct anise flavor which some people might find unpleasant to taste, you can experiment with a smaller amount than you would with celery and add more according to your taste.
Cook cabbage with caraway seeds, why not? Watch this video:
14. Homemade Celery Salt
Let’s make some homemade celery salt from celery leaves with me. From a bunch of celery in the supermarket, you can have a cup of celery leaves, so if you need more, you can purchase two or three bunches of it.
After collecting all the leaves, you might want to cut them into smaller pieces about 1-inch in length; then, you start roasting them in the oven for about 20 minutes at low temperatures. The last step is grinding them with salt at the ratio of 1:2 until they become finely powdered.
This homemade celery salt tastes incredibly good with a salty and peppery flavor. Store it in a jar and keep it in a cool, dry place for more extended use.
15. Carrot Greens And Salt
Carrot greens feature a sweet and earthy flavor with a hint of slight bitterness, which can replicate the flavor of celery. For this reason, they should be considered as the next promising substitute.
They are suitable for adding to smoothies, juices, sauces, stews, soups, marinades, and more. You can sprinkle them over a bowl of roasted veggies or salads. For me, I like to use carrot greens as a garnish for my favorite soup.
To swap carrot greens for celery salt, you might need to add more salt with the ratio of 1:2 to get the desired flavor.
Brilliant Celery Salt Recipes You Can Start With
Let’s discover some yummy celery salt recipes with me in the following section, and tell me your favorite one.
Bloody Mary
Oh, I guess most of you have tasted Bloody Mary, but I still listed it here because it’s one of the most popular beverage recipes involving celery salt.
The original Bloody Mary is made from vodka, celery salt, lemon juice, tomato juice, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco. As you might notice, each of them is a health-giving thing. Of course, there are also many variations of this delicious drink.
Starting your day early with a spicy, salty, savory, and umami-rich cup of Bloody Mary is a wise choice. You can increase the spiciness level by adding more Tabasco to warm up your body.
It’s quick and straightforward to make and is a great addition to any brunch gathering.
You’ll need this yummy Bloody Mary if you want a morning kickstart! Watch this video:
Old Fashioned Potato Salad
This is a perfect side dish which I can make again and again in my kitchen, not only in the summer. It has a creamy, hearty texture with a wholesome flavor.
The best part? You can make it ahead and keep it fresh in the fridge. In addition, many people agree that potato salad is a wonderful potluck idea.
You can choose any potato, but my suggestions are Yukon, white or red potato, or russet potato.
This dish is a savory combination of creamy mayonnaise, potatoes, eggs, dill pickles, mustard, celery salt, and more.
FAQs
If you have any questions about celery salt and its alternatives, you can reach me so that I can help you to clarify. Below are some examples:
What’s Your Favorite Celery Salt Substitute?
Many people don’t mind spending a little extra time in the kitchen to make their homemade celery salt which they can frequently use in their favorite foods from soups, stews to salads.
I’m also among them. So, what’s my favorite celery salt substitute? I guess it’s a mixture of celery seeds and salt.
It might be a bit of work, but the result is so mind-blowing that you don’t want to turn back to the old one because this homemade celery salt tastes perfect.
However, if you want to experiment with new options in various recipes, you can work up my list from start to end. This way, you can develop your own opinions about each substitute.
What’s your thought around celery salt? Share with me so that you and I can discuss furthermore.
