33 Non-Boring Ways to Use Celery

Blend of the Bayou

My sister-in-law shared this recipe with me when I first moved to Louisiana. It’s been handed down in my husband’s family for generations. It’s quick to prepare, nutritious and beautiful. I’ve passed it on to my children, too. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana

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Celery Gratin

This celery gratin was a dish our family came to love. My grandmother knew how to create a dish out of just a few simple ingredients. —David Ross, Spokane Valley, Washington

Editor’s Tips: Learn how to store celery so you’ll have fresh stalks in the crisper ready for hearty soups, snacks, and stocks!

Shrimp and Sausage Pasta

A creamy white sauce pairs well with the meat and slightly spicy seasonings of this pleasing shrimp and sausage pasta dish. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Cream of Celery Soup

This rich cream of celery soup recipe will warm up any family gathering or quiet evening at home. With just the right amount of onion flavor, it’s creamy and crowd-pleasing. —Janet James, Bluff City, Tennessee

Cool & Crunchy Chicken Salad

When the weather sizzles, get your chill on with a cool chicken salad. Mine uses grapes, pecans and celery for that signature crunch. —Sarah Smiley, Bangor, Maine

Lentil White Bean Pilaf

Vegetarians will be happy to see this hearty meatless grain pilaf on the holiday buffet table. I like to make it when I have extra cooked lentils, barley, quinoa and rice. My friends and family swear it's better than its meaty counterpart! —Juli Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia

Bacon Macaroni Salad

This pleasing pasta salad is like eating a BLT in a bowl. Filled with crispy bacon, chopped tomato, celery and green onion, the sensational salad is coated with a tangy mayonnaise and vinegar dressing. It’s a real crowd-pleaser! —Norene Wright, Manilla, Indiana

Shrimp-Stuffed Poblano Peppers

I created this dish for my mother when she moved back to our hometown. Since she really enjoys shrimp and slightly spicy food, I decided to create a shrimp-stuffed poblanos to surprise her. She was delighted.—Tina Garcia-Ortiz, Tampa, Florida

Shrimp Gumbo

This classic shrimp gumbo recipe is the perfect introduction to Louisiana-style cooking.

Grilled Summer Sausage Salad

I love grilling vegetables, especially those straight from the garden. The summer sausage is a fun twist, and the veggies really get to shine in this main dish salad. Fresh garden herbs also taste great mixed into this salad. To amp up the flavor even more, try grilling romaine lettuce instead of using a salad mix. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Pressure-Cooker Bloody Mary Pot Roast

When I picked up a bottle of Bloody Mary mix, the clerk said she sometimes uses it to marinate a roast. I gave that a try and then decided to add more of the flavors that others love in a Bloody Mary, like pepperoncini and celery. —Renee Page, Rochelle, Illinois

Stone Soup

After reading the Stone Soup story, we enjoyed concocting this version of the folktale classic. It’s chock-full of veggies and lots more ingredients…enough for everyone to bring something to add to the fun and flavor! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Ragin' Cajun Eggplant and Shrimp Skillet

We have a large summer garden where lots of produce lingers into fall. That’s when we harvest our onions, bell peppers, tomatoes and eggplant—some of the key ingredients of this dish. —Barbara Hahn, Park Hills, Missouri

Chunky Beef Vegetable Soup

For a satisfying lunch or dinner, serve bowls of this thick soup with fresh-baked bread. Brimming with chunks of veggies, it's easy to stir together on a chilly day. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario

Pecan-Cornbread Dressing

Plenty of pecans and bacon give this stuffing a unique flavor, while using a packaged mix cuts down on the preparation time. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Vegan Jambalaya

This flavorful entree won’t leave you hungry since it uses convenient canned beans in place of meat. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

Nothing says "simple" like using a slow cooker to make Crockpot chicken noodle soup! Prep your ingredients, set the slow cooker and wait for magic to happen.

Corn Stuffing Balls

My mom had many "winning" recipes, and this was one of our family's favorites. I can still picture these Corn Stuffing Balls encircling the large meat platter piled high with one of her delicious entrees. —Audrey Groe, Lake Mills, Iowa

Special Scalloped Corn

Carrots and green pepper make this dish colorful, which grabs attention at a potluck. The corn casserole is also a smart idea for when you need to prepare a dish ahead of time—easy baking is all it takes to finish it up. —J. Brown, Fort Dodge, Iowa

Jamaican Beef Stew

Jamaican-style beef stew, a dish that's also called stew beef, is a rich braise of beef and vegetables in a sauce seasoned with caramelized sugar and allspice. A few shortcut ingredients in this version help build a sauce that will perfume your house as it cooks with sweet, savory and spiced flavor.

Minestrone Soup

This minestrone soup recipe is packed with vegetables, pasta and beans in a bright tomatoey broth. It ticks all the boxes: It's hearty, incredibly comforting and a breeze to make!

Vegetarian Stuffing

No one will miss the meat flavor in this simple and traditionally-seasoned vegetarian stuffing recipe. Layers of big herb flavor liven up this classic side dish that stays super-moist in the slow-cooker.

Cornish Hens with Wild Rice and Celery

Stuffed with a succulent combination of wild rice, mushrooms and dried cranberries, these golden hens are sure to become a special-occasion entree in your home. They're a wonderful change of pace from traditional turkey. —Nancy Horsburgh, Everett, Ontario

Acorn Squash with Cranberry Stuffing

If you have squash or cranberry lovers at the table, here’s your new go-to recipe. It’s colorful, the blend of flavors is delicious and it’s a fitting addition to a Thanksgiving menu. —Dorothy Pritchett, Wills Point, Texas

Turkey Spaghetti Casserole

My mom made this creamy and comforting dish while I was growing up. Whenever I have leftover chicken or turkey, I look forward to making this simple yet tasty meal. —Casandra Hetrick, Lindsey, Ohio

Almond-Apricot Chicken Salad

Here's a one-of-a-kind pasta salad that combines tender chicken, sweet apricots and crunchy vegetables. Plus, the lemony dressing can't be beat. —Susan Voigt, Plymouth, Minnesota

Chicken Corn Soup

This chicken corn soup stands up no matter the weather. It's cozy enough for cold winter nights and light enough for cool spring evenings.

Hamburger Stew

Simmer up a big pot of hamburger stew to feed the whole crew. It's packed with beef, veggies, rice and potatoes, but you can add whatever else you like.

Sunflower Strawberry Salad

We have an annual strawberry festival in our town, so recipes with strawberries are popular here. I have served this salad at luncheons and have always received compliments. —Betty Malone, Humboldt, Tennessee

Corn Dog Casserole

Reminiscent of traditional corn dogs, this fun main dish really hits the spot on fall days. It's perfect for the football parties my husband and I often host. It tastes especially good right from the oven. -Marcy Suzanne Olipane, Belleville, Illinois

Carrot Chowder

My husband's grandmother passed this recipe on to us, and it's just wonderful—especially with a basket of warm, fresh bread on the side. This soup freezes well. —Wendy Wilkins, Prattville, Alabama

Broccoli Salad Supreme

People can't get enough of the sweet grapes and crunchy broccoli in this colorful salad. I appreciate its make-ahead convenience. —Terri Twyman, Bonanza, Oregon