Celery Salt Substitutes

Celery Salt Substitutes

Celery salt is a mixture of dried ground celery seeds and fine ground salt. It is also a classic ingredient in many comforting meals and cocktails. Celery salt is also a beloved element in Bloody Mary cocktails, spice rubs for grilled meats and dredges for frying and it is a must for a Chicago-Style hot dog. If you need to reduce your sodium intake in your diet or you just do not have celery salt at home, there are some good alternatives that you can use such in place of celery salt. Some of these include celery seed, dill, caraway or fennel seeds, fresh celery stalks, as well as leaves or roots. In fact, celery salt substitutes are very common and not hard to find however, the unique flavour of this spice is difficult to mimic completely but your chosen ingredient can still do the job. Below is a description on how you can substitute celery salt with the these and other options.

Dehydrate Celery

One of the best alternative ways to substitute celery salt is using dehydrated celery salt. Dehydrated celery should be your first alternative. With dehydrated celery you can get a similar flavour to the store-bought version. Also, the stalks are rich in sodium, about 22%, so fresh celery can be ideal for getting the salty taste. If you cannot access dehydrated celery you can dehydrate it yourself. Make sure that you remove celery leaves because they are high in alkaline and are not useful. You can save the leaves for another recipe or simply eat them on their own as a snack. In order to dehydrate your celery you need;

  • A dehydrator. A dehydrator is a valuable kitchen appliance that you will find useful all the time. If you do not have one, you can use a toaster. A toaster oven is also a valuable equipment in your kitchen.
  • You will also need one bunch of celery.

Simply follow these steps to dehydrate celery salt.

  1. Chop your celery into small pieces and place it in a dehydrator for 24 hours at 115° F (46° C). If you do not have a dehydrator you can use a toaster oven and heat it up to 135° F.
  2. Let your celery salt dehyrate until it is crispy,
  3. Blend your celery until it is a powder,
  4. Make use of a funnel to pour your salt into a jar,

Consider making use of celeriac if you do not have a dehydrator or a toaster oven. It is also efficient when you want to dehydrate celery salt.  Celeriac only contains 10% sodium, so you will not get the same salty taste that is essential for enhancing the flavour of your meals. It is important to note that dehydration reduces the quantity of celery substantially so consider using 2 bunches of celery when dehydrating it.

Dill Seed And Salt

Another excellent alterative to substitute celery salt is dill seed and salt. Dill is a herb that comes from the same family as celery so it can make a pretty good backup option. The flavours are not exactly the same, as you would expect them to be, but dill is not a bad choice if you are in a pinch. You can use the same quantity of dill seed and salt and get the same results. If you do not have ready make dill and salt you can make your own at home.

You only need

  • A quarter cup of dill seeds,
  • A quarter cup of salt,
  • A spice blender,

Simply follow these steps to make your own dill seeds and powder,

  • Make use of a spice blender or mortar and pestle to crush your dill seeds into a fine powder,
  • Add some salt and continue to crush until both ingredients are well combined,
  • Add the replacement celery salt to a suitable jar,

You can make use of fresh or dried dill as well as dill salt as an effective substitute for celery salt. The flavour may be different, and the dill may have a much more pungent aroma, so you may want to cut the amount in half so that you do not overpower your dish.

Celery Seeds And Salt

Another good alternative for celery salt is celery seeds and salt. You can buy whole celery seeds and grind them yourself for a stronger flavour and aroma. Make use of a 2 to 1 ratio of salt to celery in order to mimic commercial celery salt. Use a 1 to 1 ratio for lower sodium levels and a stronger celery flavour. If you want to cut out salt entirely, try a 2 to 1 ratio of celery seed to onion or garlic powder. To make your own celery salt substitute using celery seeds and salt follow these steps.  

You will need

  • One third cup of celery seed,
  • Two thirds cup of kosher salt,
  • A grinder,

Simply follow these steps,

  1. Make use of a mortar and pestle or spice grinder to process your celery seeds until they are a fine powder.
  2. Add some salt and continue grinding. If you are using an electric grinder, this may take 15 seconds, but if you are using a mortar and pestle, it will take a little longer.
  3. Pour some salt into a jar and store it with your other seasoning jars in a cool, dry position.
  4. Place some uncooked rice at the bottom of a salt jar to absorb any moisture and stop the salt from clumping,
  5. You can adjust the amount of celery salt you use in your recipe depending on the ratio of salt to celery powder you used in the blend

You can use caraway seeds in place of celery seeds or dill seeds. Compared to other types of seeds, the caraway seed has a sweeter flavour profile. They also pack a flavour punch and are a good backup option for celery salt in meat dishes. Caraway salt is not advised for use in making a Bloody Mary because the taste is too far apart and it will make your drink unpleasant.

It is perfectly fine to substitute celery seeds, and dill seeds for celery salt. The seeds have a more concentrated flavour so you should use less compared to celery salt. If you use the seeds it is also recommended to add some extra salt.

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