How to Revive Limp Wilted Celery (Fresh and new again!)

Have you wondered what to do with wilted, limp celery, or is limp celery still good? Read on.

Luckily, reviving limp celery is so easy to do. Check out the video below.

All you need to do is cut a quarter of an inch off the ends of the celery stalks. Fill your sink or a large bowl with cold water and set the celery inside. Let the celery sit for anywhere from 2 to 10 hours or overnight and remove it from the water in the morning.

If you can, make sure that you submerge the celery stalks in the water. It’s not as effective to just dip the ends in.

Check out this quick video below and follow the same steps to learn how to revive wilted celery faster.

Quick steps to reviving limp, wilted celery

Cut a quarter of an inch off the bottom of the celery stalk.

The stalks dry out on the ends and make it hard to revive celery. Cutting off the stalks allows the celery to absorb the water you are about to give it.

I also wrote an article titled how to revive wilted lettuce that outlines how these steps apply to saving that old lettuce from your fridge as well.

Fill your (clean) sink or a large bowl with water.

Your sink doesn’t need to be full. Just fill it about ⅓ of the way or enough to make sure the celery is fully submerged.

Set the celery in your bowl or sink.

You don’t need to turn the celery to wet both sides. You can just lie it flat in the bowl or sink and wait. The water will absorb into the leaves and the stalk over time. Just make sure to lie it flat. If you put the celery in your sink standing up, it won’t absorb the water as quickly and efficiently.

Wait 2 to 10 hours or overnight.

Like most veggies, celery wilts because it becomes dehydrated over time. Eventually, it loses its green color and turns yellow, then brown. Rehydrating your celery overnight will make it fresh and delicious again!

Try this technique with other greens, like parsley, broccoli, kale, and many others!

Can celery go bad?

Yes, celery can go bad. If it’s stored correctly, it can last around two weeks in the fridge. Keep in mind how old it was when you bought it, though. Store-bought celery won’t last as long as celery from the farmer’s market down the street or your own garden. In fact, you might need to give your store-bought celery a little pick me up immediately when you get home.

If your celery starts to yellow, it’s still safe to eat. Just cut off the stalks and soak the celery in water overnight.

How can you tell if celery has gone bad?

Over time, celery will wilt and lose its color and smell a little funny. It will go limp, turn yellow and eventually, brown. Celery that’s yellowed a little bit is still safe to eat. But if you start to notice a sulfur or rotten egg smell, it’s time to throw your celery out. The celery stalks will also become soggy and slimy.

If your celery is past reviving, it will start to grow bacteria that may make you sick.

Can you eat wilted or limp celery?

It’s not recommended to eat limp or wilted celery. It won’t have the same flavor or texture as fresh celery. So, try to revive it. Cut off the stalks and place them in water for about eight hours. That should revitalize your celery, making it crispy and delicious!

How to Prevent Celery from Wilting

To prevent celery from wilting, make sure to keep it in a water-tight and air-tight bag in the refrigerator. Do not store your celery in water. If it’s in water for too long, the leaves and stalk will become oversaturated and wilt. Fresh celery should last about a week in the fridge.

You can also freeze celery for four to six months. Before putting your celery in the freezer, cut the stalks off and place it in a freezer bag. Make sure to remove as much water or air from the bag as you can.

How long is celery good in the fridge?

Fresh celery should last about a week in the fridge. If you buy bagged celery from a store, it’ll last for about five days after it’s been opened. Be sure to check the expiration date on the bag.

Can celery last 2 weeks?

Most fresh celery lasts about a week in the fridge but bagged celery may last up to two weeks. If you want your celery to last months, store it in the freezer. Celery stays fresh for around half a year in the freezer.

How long does celery last at room temperature?

Celery will last a day ot two at room temperature. So it’s important to refrigerate celery as soon as possible.

Is slimy celery bad?

Yes, slimy celery is not safe to eat. If you find white or black spots on the plant or notice a strong sulfur smell, your celery is too old to eat.

Does celery go bad if not refrigerated?

Yes, celery only lasts about half a day out of the fridge. You can freeze it for about six months, though.

Can bad celery make you sick?

Yes, if your celery is stored too long, it can develop bacteria that may make you sick. Bad celery will start to smell like sulfur or rotten eggs. Look for white, brown, or black spots on the celery, too.

If the stalks are just starting to yellow, you may be able to revive your celery. Just cut off the stalks, remove the yellow parts and soak the celery in water overnight.

Is limp, wilted celery OK to cook?

Yes, you can cook and eat wilted celery, as long as it doesn’t grow bacteria or smell revolting. Before you cook limp celery, though, you might as well try to revitalize it. You just need to chop the stalks off, fill your sink with some water, and set the limp celery in the sink. Wait overnight and come back to fresh stalks of celery.

So, now you know what to do with wilted and limp celery!

If anyone asks you how to revive celery, you know the answer. You can cut off the tough stalks and soak the celery in cold water to rehydrate the stalks and bring them back to life. Celery can also be sautéed in a pan with a little bit of olive oil to soften the stalks and make them easier to eat.

How to Revive Wilted Herbs: Quick & Easy Solutions

To keep celery from wilting, store it in a plastic bag in the fridge and remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing it. If your celery smells bad, it's best to throw it away as it could be a sign of spoilage.