The 9 Best Substitutes For Celery Seeds

Celery seeds are a great way to add flavor and texture to any dish.

They’re used in everything from salads and soups to pickles, sauces, and even desserts.

But what happens if you don’t have celery seeds on hand?

Fortunately, there are several substitutes that can be used in place of celery seeds.

From caraway seeds and dill weed to fennel seed and mustard seed, these alternatives offer up similar flavor profiles as well as a range of health benefits.

In this article, I will discuss the nine best substitutes for celery seeds so that you can continue making your favorite dishes without sacrificing taste or nutrition.

What Are Celery Seeds?

Celery seeds are the dried fruit of a wild celery plant.

They have a pungent, earthy flavor that is similar to but stronger than regular celery.

The seeds are small and dark brown in color, with an aroma reminiscent of parsley and carrot.

They can be used whole or ground into a powder for use in cooking.

Celery seeds are commonly used as a seasoning in salads, soups, stews, pickles, and sauces.

In Indian cuisine, they are often added to curries and rice dishes for extra flavor and texture.

They can also be used as an aromatic ingredient when making breads or cakes.

The 9 Best Substitutes For Celery Seeds

If you don’t have celery seeds on hand, there are several other ingredients that can be used as a substitute.

From common pantry items to fresh herbs, here are nine of the best substitutes for celery seeds:

1 – Dried Celery Leaves or Herb

Dried celery leaves are an underrated pantry staple that can be used to add a unique flavor to dishes.

The leaves have a slightly bitter taste with a hint of sweetness, and they’re especially great for seasoning soups, stews, and sauces.

They can also be used as a garnish or sprinkled over salads and roasted vegetables.

When substituting dried celery leaves for celery seeds, it’s important to remember that the former has a much more subtle flavor than the latter.

For this reason, it may be necessary to use more of them in order to achieve the desired level of taste.

Dried celery leaves are an incredibly versatile ingredient that can help you create delicious meals without relying on traditional spices like celery seeds.

2 – Dill Seeds

Dill seeds are the dried, ripe fruits of the dill plant, which is native to the Mediterranean region.

The small, oval-shaped seeds have a mild flavor that’s reminiscent of celery and anise.

They can be used in both savory and sweet dishes to add a subtle hint of flavor.

Dill seeds are often used as a substitute for celery seed when making pickles or adding crunchy texture to salads.

When substituting dill seed for celery seed, it’s best to use half the amount called for in recipes since they have a more potent flavor than their counterpart.

In addition to being used as a seasoning agent, dill seeds can also be steeped in hot water to make tea or added into bread doughs for extra flavor and texture.

3 – Fennel Seeds

Fennel seeds are a popular spice that come from the fennel plant, which is native to the Mediterranean region.

These small, yellow-brown seeds have an aromatic flavor and a mild licorice taste.

They can be used in both sweet and savory dishes, such as curries, salads, soups, stews, and baked goods.

When substituting fennel seeds for celery seeds in recipes, it’s important to keep in mind that they have a much more intense flavor than their counterparts.

For this reason, you may need to adjust the amount of fennel seed used accordingly.

Fennel has many health benefits as well; it can help aid digestion and reduce inflammation in the body.

4 – Star Anise

Star anise is a spice derived from the fruit of an evergreen tree native to China.

The star-shaped pods contain small, dark brown seeds that have a licorice-like flavor and aroma.

Star anise can be used in savory dishes like soups, stews, and marinades as well as sweet treats like cookies and cakes.

It is also often used in teas or to make liqueurs such as ouzo or pastis.

If you’re out of celery seed, star anise makes a great substitute for its similar but more intense flavor profile.

It’s perfect for adding depth to dishes without overpowering them with too much sweetness or heat.

5 – Celery Salt

Celery salt is a blend of ground celery seeds and table salt.

It has a unique flavor that’s slightly salty, herbaceous, and slightly sweet.

Celery salt can be used as a seasoning for salads, soups, stews or sauces. It also adds an interesting flavor to fish dishes and pickles.

When substituting celery seeds with celery salt in recipes, you may need to adjust the amount used since it is more concentrated than the seed form.

For example, if a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of celery seeds then you would use only ½ teaspoon of celery salt instead.

Celery salt is also great for adding depth and complexity to Bloody Mary drinks or sprinkled over popcorn!

6 – Fresh celery

Fresh celery is a great substitute for celery seeds, as it has a similar flavor and crunch.

Celery is an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamins A and K, and potassium. It also contains antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation in the body.

Fresh celery can be chopped or sliced into thin strips to add crunchy texture to salads, soups, stews, casseroles, and more.

It can also be cooked down with other vegetables like carrots or onions to make flavorful stocks or sauces.

For a unique twist on traditional recipes, try substituting fresh celery for the usual celery seed ingredient – you’ll get all the same flavors without having to buy any extra spices!

7 – Caraway seeds

Caraway seeds are a popular spice with an earthy, nutty flavor.

They have a sharp aroma and can be used to add depth to dishes like soups, stews, and salads.

Caraway seeds are small in size but pack a punch of flavor when added to recipes.

When substituting caraway for celery seed, it’s important to remember that the two spices have different flavors.

Celery seed has a more bitter taste while caraway is slightly sweet and tangy.

For this reason, you may need to adjust the amount of caraway used in order to achieve the desired flavor profile.

The good news is that caraway pairs well with many other herbs and spices so you can easily customize your dish according to your tastes!

8 – Celery Stalk

Celery stalks are a great alternative to celery seeds when you need a celery-like flavor in your recipes.

The stalks have a mild, grassy taste that is similar to the seed but with more subtlety and sweetness.

They can be used fresh or cooked in soups, salads, stir-fries, and other dishes. The leaves of the celery stalk can also be chopped up and added to any dish for an extra crunchy texture.

Celery stalks are rich in vitamins A and C as well as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, dietary fiber, and antioxidants.

Using them instead of celery seeds adds important nutrients to your meals while still providing that familiar flavor profile.

9 – Fresh Dill

Fresh dill is a fragrant herb that has been used for centuries to add flavor and aroma to dishes.

It has a unique taste, with notes of anise, lemon, and parsley.

Fresh dill can be added to salads, soups, stews, sauces, marinades and dressings. It also pairs well with fish or eggs.

When substituting fresh dill for celery seeds in recipes, it’s important to note that the flavor will be more intense than if you were using celery seeds.

So use less when making the switch!

To get the most out of your fresh dill sprigs or leaves, try adding them at the end of cooking so they retain their flavor and color.

Whether you’re looking for a new way to spice up your meals or just want something different from celery seeds – give fresh dill a try!