Celery Salad With Walnuts And Parmesan

Name: Celery Salad With Walnuts And Parmesan
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 cups celery, thinly sliced; 1 cup walnuts, roughly chopped; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shaved; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; Salt and pepper to taste

Highlighted under: Fast Dinner Classics

I absolutely love making this Celery Salad with Walnuts and Parmesan, especially during the warmer months. The crispness of the celery combined with the nutty flavor of the walnuts creates a delightful crunch that’s both refreshing and satisfying. Adding shavings of Parmesan takes it to another level, with its rich, salty profile amplifying the other ingredients. It's a quick and easy salad that always gets rave reviews at my gatherings, making it a go-to recipe for both casual lunches and elegant dinners.

Created by

Phoebe Drake

Last updated on 2026-01-24T10:28:14.568Z

Creating this Celery Salad with Walnuts and Parmesan was inspired by a delightful lunch I had at a local café. I noticed how the freshest ingredients can transform a simple dish into something extraordinary. By using celery that’s incredibly crunchy, high-quality walnuts, and fresh Parmesan, I found that each bite bursts with flavor. The key is to dress the salad just before serving to keep everything crisp.

One little tip I learned is to lightly toast the walnuts before adding them to the salad. This step enhances their flavor and adds a beautiful complexity. It’s small touches like this that elevate a dish from ordinary to truly memorable!

Why You'll Love This Recipe
The fresh crunch of celery combined with the richness of Parmesan.
Toasted walnuts add a wonderful depth of flavor and crunch.
Super quick to prepare, making it perfect for busy days.

Why Celery Matters

Celery is the star of this salad, providing a fresh, crisp texture that is both refreshing and filling. When selecting celery, look for stalks that are bright green and firm to the touch. Avoid any that appear limp or have dark spots, as these can indicate age. By slicing it thinly, as this recipe instructs, you enhance its crunchy quality, allowing it to blend seamlessly with the other ingredients.

The high water content in celery also adds a hydrating element to the salad, making it an excellent choice during the warmer months. Beyond hydration, celery contributes essential vitamins and minerals, promoting overall health. This makes it not only a delicious but a nutritious component of your meal.

Understanding Flavor Balance

Toasting the walnuts is a key step that dramatically affects flavor. This process enhances their natural nuttiness, creating a deeper, more complex taste profile. Aim for a golden brown color, and be vigilant to avoid burning. If you do burn them, simply discard and start again, as burnt nuts can lend an acrid flavor that overshadows the dish.

Parmesan cheese adds rich umami and saltiness, which perfectly contrasts the mild flavor of celery and the nuttiness of walnuts. Adjust the amount of Parmesan to suit your taste—more cheese can mean more flavor, but too much could overwhelm the other ingredients. If you're looking for a dairy-free option, consider using a vegan Parmesan or a nutritional yeast substitute for a similar depth of flavor.

Serving and Storing Tips

For the best experience, serve the salad immediately after tossing. The crispness of the fresh ingredients will be at its peak, creating an inviting texture. If you need to prepare it ahead of time, consider storing the toasted walnuts separately and adding them just before serving to maintain their crunch.

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. However, the salad may lose some of its freshness over time. To rejuvenate it, a splash of lemon juice can brighten the flavors. This salad also pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or fish, making it a versatile option for meal prep.

Ingredients

Gather these fresh ingredients to make your salad shine.

Salad Ingredients

4 cups celery, thinly sliced
1 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shaved
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all these ingredients well and enjoy the fresh flavors!

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your salad.

Prepare the Ingredients

Start by washing and slicing the celery thinly. Chop the walnuts if they're not already chopped.

Toast the Walnuts

In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the walnuts for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until they’re fragrant.

Combine Salad Components

In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced celery, toasted walnuts, and Parmesan shavings.

Dress the Salad

Drizzle the olive oil and lemon juice over the salad. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Toss and Serve

Gently toss all ingredients together until evenly coated. Serve immediately for the best texture.

Enjoy your refreshing and crunchy salad!

Pro Tips

For an added twist, try incorporating sliced apples or pears for a sweet contrast.

Variations to Consider

This recipe lends itself well to various adaptations. For a bit of sweetness, consider adding sliced apples or pears, which can complement the crunch and balance the flavors beautifully. Another twist could be the addition of dried cranberries or raisins, which provide a chewy contrast that enhances the overall texture of the salad.

If you're looking to incorporate more greens, try adding arugula or spinach to the mix. Their peppery undertones can elevate the salad and add a new layer of complexity. Just be mindful of the dressing proportions, as these greens may require a touch more olive oil or lemon juice to achieve the right balance.

Key Ingredient Substitutions

If walnuts are not to your liking or you need to accommodate nut allergies, pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds are excellent alternative choices that will still provide crunch and nutrition. These seeds have a similar texture and can easily be toasted for an added depth of flavor without compromising the integrity of the salad.

For those without access to Parmesan cheese, feta or goat cheese can offer a tangy alternative. These cheeses can also change the salad's overall character, providing creaminess. Just remember to taste as you go to ensure that you achieve a balanced flavor profile.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

One common issue when preparing salads is the wilting of greens, especially if they are dressed too early. To mitigate this, always add the dressing just before serving. Another tip is to ensure your salad ingredients are well-chilled prior to assembly; this can significantly enhance the crispness and overall enjoyment of the dish.

If you find that the salad is overly salty, try adding a small amount of finely diced cucumber or more celery to dilute the saltiness. If you accidentally under-season, don't be afraid to adjust the flavors gradually, tasting as you go. Balancing flavors in a salad can sometimes be a delicate dance, but small adjustments can lead to the perfect bite.

Questions About Recipes

→ Can I make this salad ahead of time?

It's best served fresh, but you can prepare the ingredients and dress the salad just before serving.

→ What other nuts can I use?

You can substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different flavor.

→ Is there a vegan alternative to Parmesan?

Yes! You can use nutritional yeast or a vegan Parmesan substitute for a similar taste.

→ Can I add other vegetables to this salad?

Absolutely! Thinly sliced cucumber or bell peppers would add extra color and crunch.