Zesty Celery Salad Recipe: Ina Garten’s Crisp Garden Magic

Crisp, refreshing, and packed with summer flavors, this Ina Garten celery salad brings a delightful crunch to your table.

The legendary cookbook author has crafted a simple yet elegant dish that transforms humble celery into a star ingredient.

Her light, zesty approach turns an overlooked vegetable into a vibrant side that sparkles with brightness.

Each bite delivers a clean, herbaceous punch that cuts through rich main courses with precision.

Delicate shavings of parmesan and a bright vinaigrette elevate the humble celery to new heights of deliciousness.

The salad comes together in minutes, making it a perfect last-minute addition to any meal.

You’ll love how this recipe proves that sometimes the simplest ingredients can create the most memorable dishes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients to Gather for Ina Garten Celery Salad

• Celery: Provides crisp, refreshing crunch and subtle peppery undertone that adds texture to the salad.
• Avocado: Creamy element that brings smooth richness and helps balance the salad's overall flavor profile.
• Shallots: Delicate onion-like ingredient that offers gentle, sophisticated aromatic notes without overpowering other ingredients.

• Chickpeas: Hearty legume that adds protein, nutrients, and satisfying substance to the salad.
• Feta Cheese: Tangy, salty Mediterranean cheese that introduces bold, creamy dimension and enhances overall taste.

• Dill: Fresh herb that introduces bright, slightly tangy herbaceous flavor and lovely green color.
• Lemon Zest: Concentrated citrus essence that provides intense, aromatic brightness to the dressing.
• Lemon Juice: Adds sharp, zesty acidity that helps balance and lift other ingredients.
• Garlic: Pungent ingredient that delivers deep, robust flavor foundation.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds smooth, complex tanginess and helps emulsify the dressing.
• Red Wine Vinegar: Introduces subtle acidity and depth to the dressing.
• Olive Oil: Smooth, rich base that binds ingredients and provides silky texture.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances and balances overall seasoning.
• Cracked Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and aromatic complexity.

Kitchen Gear for Ina Garten Celery Salad

• Blender: Essential for creating a smooth, well-mixed dressing.
• Large Bowl: Needed for combining and mixing vegetables and salad ingredients.
• Zester or Microplane: Perfect for getting fresh lemon zest without bitter white pith.
• Sharp Knife: Used for chopping shallots, garlic, and preparing vegetables.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Helps ensure accurate ingredient proportions for the dressing.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping and preparing ingredients.

How to Toss Together Ina Garten Celery Salad

• Vegetable Preparation

Gather fresh celery, crisp greens, and creamy ingredients to create a vibrant salad base. Chop vegetables with care, ensuring each piece is bite-sized and inviting.

• Flavor Fusion

Craft a zesty dressing that transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece. Combine tangy citrus notes with herbaceous undertones, whisking together a smooth, aromatic blend that will make taste buds dance.

• Final Flourish

Gently toss the vegetables with the lively dressing, allowing each ingredient to mingle and develop a harmonious flavor profile. Serve immediately, letting the salad shine with its bright, fresh character that promises a delightful eating experience.

Suggestions to Modify Ina Garten Celery Salad

• Replace dill with fresh parsley, chives, or basil for a different flavor profile that keeps the salad exciting and adaptable to your taste preferences.
• Add grilled chicken, canned tuna, or roasted tofu to transform this light salad into a hearty main dish that satisfies hunger and provides extra nutrition.
• Toss in toasted pine nuts, sunflower seeds, or sliced almonds to introduce an extra layer of texture that makes every bite more interesting and satisfying.
• Prepare the dressing and chop vegetables separately up to 24 hours in advance, storing them in sealed containers in the refrigerator to save time and simplify meal preparation.
• Experiment with seasonal vegetables like roasted butternut squash in fall or grilled zucchini in summer to keep the salad fresh and connected to current produce availability.

Serving Styles for Ina Garten Celery Salad

• Pair with Crusty Bread: Serve this vibrant salad alongside a warm, crusty baguette or rustic sourdough to soak up the zesty dressing and add a delightful textural contrast.
• Create a Mediterranean Platter: Arrange the salad on a large wooden board with olives, hummus, grilled pita, and additional feta cheese for a stunning shared meal experience.
• Transform into a Complete Meal: Top the salad with grilled chicken, shrimp, or roasted chickpeas to turn it into a protein-packed lunch or light dinner option that's both satisfying and nutritious.
• Chill for Picnic Perfection: Pack the salad components separately and assemble just before serving at outdoor gatherings, ensuring crisp vegetables and bright flavors that travel well.

Storage Tips for Ina Garten Celery Salad Leftovers

• Refrigerate Quickly: Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for maximum freshness, consuming within 1-2 days to maintain crisp vegetable texture and prevent soggy ingredients.
• Prep Ahead Smartly: Chop vegetables and prepare dressing separately up to 24 hours before serving, keeping components refrigerated until final mixing to preserve individual ingredient quality and prevent premature wilting.
• Avoid Soggy Situations: Keep dressing separate from vegetables until just before serving to maintain crunchiness, especially with delicate ingredients like avocados and fresh herbs that can deteriorate rapidly.
• Freeze with Caution: This salad doesn't freeze well due to high water content in vegetables and creamy components like avocado, which will break down and lose structural integrity when thawed.

Crispy Ina Garten Celery Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s refreshing celery salad combines crisp vegetables with a zesty lemon vinaigrette. Light and elegant flavors showcase garden-fresh ingredients perfect for summer gatherings or casual meals.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup olive oil (240 ml)
• 2 ripe avocados, diced
• 15 oz (425 g) canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 head romaine lettuce, finely sliced
• 1 bunch celery, cut into small dice
• 2 whole Persian cucumbers, cut into small dice
• ½ cup (60 g) feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 cup fresh dill (adjust to taste if desired)
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• 2 tbsps red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 small shallot
• 2 cloves garlic
• Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Meticulously chop celery, radishes, parsley, avocado, and scallions into uniform bite-sized pieces, creating a visually appealing and textually balanced salad base.
2. Chickpea Preparation: Thoroughly drain and pat chickpeas dry, ensuring they remain crisp and will absorb dressing effectively without becoming soggy.
3. Dressing Creation: Combine fresh dill, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, shallots, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil in a blender, processing until achieving a silky, seamless emulsion.
4. Seasoning: Enhance the dressing with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, carefully adjusting to create a harmonious flavor profile that complements the vegetables.
5. Cheese Integration: Delicately crumble feta cheese, dispersing it evenly throughout the vegetable mixture to ensure a consistent taste in every bite.
6. Final Assembly: Gently drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad, carefully tossing to coat each ingredient thoroughly, ensuring every component is elegantly dressed and well-integrated.
7. Serving: Present the salad immediately to preserve its vibrant colors, crisp textures, and fresh flavors, preventing avocado oxidation and maintaining peak gustatory appeal.

Notes

• Prep Precisely: Chop all vegetables uniformly to ensure consistent texture and professional-looking presentation.
• Chickpea Care: Thoroughly drain and pat dry chickpeas to prevent watery dressing and maintain salad’s crisp integrity.
• Zest Smartly: Use microplane grater to capture only bright yellow lemon zest, avoiding bitter white pith for clean, vibrant flavor.
• Dress and Serve Quickly: Toss salad immediately before serving to prevent avocado browning and maintain peak freshness and crispness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg