My mom has been prepping veggies for years, and I took for granted having an always-stocked vegetable container to grab a quick healthy snack from.
In my own adult life, for YEARS I bought pre-cut veggies (if I bought vegetables at all) and “ate” the extra costs that came with the convenience of having the vegetables all cut and ready-to-eat. And, if I did buy uncut, unwashed veggies with the intentions of cleaning and cutting them, those vegetables often sat in my fridge (uncut and unwashed…) until they went bad and I had to toss them (I hate to admit this!).
Since I started examining our budget and food habits, I realized that I needed to get into a routine of meal prepping celery. I realized how much I LOVED having pre-cut, ready-to-eat celery in the fridge to add to my lunches, snacks, and dinner. It reminded me of the always-stocked vegetable container my mom kept growing up (and still does today).
Meal prepping celery is easier than I thought it would be, and I have a routine that I follow that has helped me refine my vegetable prepping habit.
How to meal prep celery
1. Have a dedicated vegetable or celery storage container
Before you start prepping, know where your celery will go. This step has helped me follow through with my weekly prep. I have a “celery” container, which means I don’t have to hunt through my stacks of food containers when it’s time to prep! I don’t want any excuse (even small) to derail my routine.
I use a Rubbermaid food container with a raised bottom, which has kept the celery crisp and fresh. Since my container is several years old, I can’t find the exact version on Amazon, but here is a link to a newer Rubbermaid – FreshWorks Produce Saver Food Storage Container
2. Buy only what you need
After a few attempts of trial and error with amount, I now know to buy TWO bunches of non-organic or THREE bunches of organic (which is often much smaller) celery to both fill our container and also get us through at least a week of celery eating. Tracking our ideal amount of celery might seem like a small, insignificant step, but it has helped me follow through with meal prep and also waste less food.
3. Clean, Cut, Clear Board, Repeat
- Wash the celery stalks in batches
- Line up the tops and chop them off
- Line up the bottoms and chop those off
- Cut off or trim any parts that look damaged
- Cut celery into smaller pieces
- Add to your container
4. Enjoy your meal-prepped celery
I love adding celery to my packed lunches (it travels so well in a Stasher Re-Usable Bag
In my experience, the celery has lasted in the fridge for a week (or sometimes a few days longer). As always, check your own food to make sure it is still fresh and edible. It’s freshness could vary based on how long it was in the store before you bought it, etc.