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Sautéed Celery with Pecans

Who says celery is boring?! This sautéed celery combines a delightful mix of textures with a flavorful dressing, all ready in just 10 minutes using a handful of simple ingredients!

bowl of cooked celery slices and pecans; text overlay "Sautéed Celery".

Sautéed Celery with Pecans

I have been excited to try this cooked celery recipe since I found it in an old cookbook. I just knew it was going to be a winner and I wasn’t wrong! There are only five ingredients, and it takes less than 10 minutes to cook, with just a few minutes prep time!

Celery is often used as a flavorful addition to many recipes, such as soups, and also as a favorite on fresh veggie trays. However, this humble vegetable can be a star in its own right!

Here’s where the inspiration came from: A while back, I was dining at a very expensive restaurant. There was a celery dish on the menu that was made simply from sliced celery and parmesan. And hands-down, everyone at our table loved it the best of ALL the dishes!

That’s when I discovered that celery can actually taste good, no, actually great on its own!

This Celery and Pecan Sauté is a fantastic side dish recipe because it is quick and easy to prepare and pairs well with so many types of main dishes. The celery and pecans give this dish a tantalizing crunch, while the butter and seasonings melt together to make the perfect dressing.

I love a simple recipe where you can really taste the vegetable itself. The chopped pecans add an earthy warm flavor that balances with the crispy celery. Butter, dill, and a little salt bring the whole thing together. You won’t believe that you can get so much flavor from celery!

–Sara

close up of sautéed celery with pecans and herbs.

What to Look for in Fresh Celery

First, here’s the terminology of celery. The whole thing of celery is called the stalk. The individual pieces of celery are called the sticks or ribs. I thought the individual pieces were the stalks, but the internet says differently.

Celery is such a great vegetable to have in your cooking rotation. It’s available at pretty much every grocery store and it’s always in season! Plus, celery is inexpensive compared to most other vegetables.

However, the quality of celery can vary. So, if your local seller has a bad batch, move on. Any recipe featuring celery requires fresh celery that is fresh, and therefore, tastes great.

Here’s what to look for when choosing fresh celery at the grocery store:

Here are some things to look for that will help you get a quality stalk of celery. Unlike a watermelon, you can easily SEE whether the celery is in good condition or not.

  • Bright green color
  • No brown spots
  • Celery leaves that look fresh
  • Plump sticks/ribs
  • Firm not bendy sticks/ribs
  • It will have a heavy feel to it

Now that I know what to look for, I get better tasting celery on a regular basis. It makes everything better: my smoothies, my tuna and chicken salads, and of course this celery and pecan sauté.

celery sauté in glass bowl.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups sliced celery
  • 1/8 cup chopped pecans
  • 2-3 tablespoons butter
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill

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Helpful Kitchen Tools

Instructions

To Prep: Cut celery stalks into 1/2 inch pieces.

  1. Melt butter in a large skillet.
  2. Add the celery, pecans, salt, and dill.
  3. Cook over medium heat until crisp tender (about 5 – 8 minutes). Stir occasionally.
  4. Serve immediately.

2 photo collage showing how to sauté celery.

Prep Tips

  • Storage – Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
  • Celery – When cutting the celery, you want to use the greenest parts of the stalk for the most flavor. Stop when you get down to the bottom of the celery stalk where it begins to turn white and become more fibrous.
  • Herbs – The original recipe calls for dried dill weed, but you could alternatively use fresh dill.

sautéed celery slices, close up.

More Easy Vegetable Side Dish Recipes:

Sautéed Celery Recipe (Printable Recipe Card)

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sautéed celery slices, close up.
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Sautéed Celery with Pecans

This sautéed celery combines a delightful mix of textures with a flavorful dressing, all ready in just 10 minutes using a handful of simple ingredients!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword celery, pecans, vegetables
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 57kcal
Author Sara Garska
Cost $5.00

Equipment

  • large skillet

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the celery, pecans, salt, and dill.
  • Cook over medium heat, stirring until crisp tender; about 5 – 8 minutes.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Nutrition information is an estimate only.

Nutrition

Calories: 57kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 265mg | Potassium: 147mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 354IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Pin our Celery Sauté Recipe on Pinterest:

sautéed celery Pinterest image.

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