When you're making a recipe that calls for numerous spices or seasonings, it can be challenging to remember the difference between them all. Celery salt and celery seeds are often confused since they both have celery in the name, but have you ever wondered about the difference between them? When comparing celery seed vs. celery salt, there are several important differences.
The main difference between celery seed and celery salt is the addition of salt. While celery seeds are a common spice that consists of dried celery seeds, celery salt is ground celery seeds with added salt and sometimes other seasonings. You can purchase celery seeds whole or buy them already ground.
Whether you need celery seeds or celery salt for your next recipe will depend on what you’re making. Keep reading to find out more about the differences between these two pantry staples.
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Celery Seed vs. Celery Salt: What Is the Difference?
If you’re making a recipe that calls for celery seed or celery salt, you might wonder whether they’re actually the same thing. While they do have a similar flavor, there are some differences between celery seeds and celery salt.
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Celery seeds are simply a dried or ground version of the seeds from wild celery, but celery salt is a combination of celery seeds and salt. The main difference between them is the addition of table salt to celery salt, which leads to a different flavor and sodium content.
Aside from the addition of salt, they’re typically used in different recipes. While celery seeds are often called for in recipes like dressings, marinades, and sauces, celery salt is used as a seasoning that can provide both salt and the flavor of celery seeds.
Main Differences Between Celery Seed and Celery Salt
Celery seed and celery salt come from the same place, but there are still differences between them. Here are the main differences between celery seeds and celery salt:
- Celery salt contains celery seeds and salt
The biggest difference between celery salt and celery seeds is that celery salt contains added salt. It also might contain other seasonings or spices as well while celery seeds only contain the seeds from wild celery. - You can purchase celery seeds in whole or ground form
When you purchase celery seeds, you can either purchase dried and ground seeds or whole seeds. This allows you to use it in a variety of recipes or even to grind the celery seeds yourself. - Celery salt can function as an all-purpose seasoning
Celery salt functions in your recipes as an all-purpose seasoning to add more flavor and salt, while celery seeds don’t add any extra salt to your meal.
Nutritional Value of Celery Seed vs. Celery Salt
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What Are Celery Seeds?
If you’re adding new additions to your spice cabinet, you might consider purchasing celery seeds. You can buy these seeds whole or ground, depending on your needs. As the name suggests, celery seed comes from the seed of the celery plant. However, it’s not the same variety of celery you’re used to buying in the store.
Celery seeds come from wild celery, which is similar to the celery sold in grocery stores. But the seeds specifically come from the wild celery variety because the flavor of these seeds is strong.
Celery seeds are a common ingredient in stews, sauces, and salads. Even if you do buy whole seeds, you can still grind them yourself. Grinding your spices right before cooking brings a fresh flavor to your recipes.
Unlike celery salt, celery seeds don’t have any added salt, so if you’re adding them to a recipe, you can add your own salt and any other desired seasonings.
Ways to Use Celery Seed
Celery seed is a great spice to have on hand. If you have Old Bay Seasoning in your cabinet, you might have noticed that celery seed is one of the ingredients. However, there are many ways to use celery seeds individually as well.
Whether you have whole celery seeds or ground celery seeds, you can use them for numerous recipes, including:
- 4-serving meals starting at $3.77 per serving (up to 25% cheaper than HelloFresh).
- Incredible variety with 10+ weekly meal options, delivered directly to you.
- Easy to prepare meals ready in 30-minutes or less.
- Soups and stews
- Pickle brine
- Potato salad
- Spice rubs
Pickle brine is one of the ways you can use whole celery seeds, but in most cases, if you want to use celery seeds as a seasoning, it’s best to purchase them ground or grind them yourself before adding them to any recipe.
What Is Celery Salt?
Celery salt is a much more versatile seasoning made from a combination of ground celery seeds and salt. Celery salt sometimes contains other spices as well. You can use celery salt to spice up numerous recipes, and it can also function as an all-purpose seasoning if you enjoy the flavor.
One of the most common uses for celery salt is making a Bloody Mary. When you order this popular alcoholic drink, one of the ingredients is often celery salt, and sometimes the glass is even rimmed with it.
Celery salt comes in pre-ground form and adds the flavor of celery seeds and a salty flavor to your food. If you need a substitute for celery salt, you can use standard salt, but onion salt works as well.
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Ways to Use Celery Salt
Like most seasonings, there are numerous ways to use celery salt in a variety of dishes. Whether you’re looking to add some extra flavor or you’re looking for a substitute for another seasoning, there’s no limit to the ways you can spice up your recipes with celery salt.
Add celery salt to spice up your favorite dishes, including:
Celery salt is great to have on hand for numerous recipes. It’s also the traditional choice for recipes such as a Bloody Mary or a Chicago-style hot dog.
Can You Substitute Celery Seed for Celery Salt?
If you’re using a recipe that calls for celery seed or celery salt, you might wonder whether you can swap out one for the other. Once you know what celery seed and celery salt are, it’s easy to see that the difference between them means they both add different flavors to recipes.
Considering celery salt includes added salt, it’s going to add a saltier flavor, while celery seed only adds the celery flavor. It’s easier to use celery seed in place of celery salt than to use celery salt in place of celery seeds.
If a recipe calls for celery salt but you only have ground celery seeds, you can substitute the celery seeds plus some additional salt to make up for the added salt. However, if a recipe calls for celery seeds but you only have celery salt, it’s a bit trickier to match the ratio.
In this case, add the celery salt and remove any of the added salt that the recipe may call for. If it doesn’t call for added salt, you can expect your recipe to be a lot saltier than you originally intended.
Homemade recipes of celery salt typically include 1 part celery seeds to 2 parts added salt. If you have whole celery seeds, you can grind the seeds and add the salt to make your own celery salt at home.
Which Is Better: Celery Seed vs. Celery Salt
While celery seeds and celery salt are both useful to have in the pantry, they often have different uses in the kitchen. The main difference between celery seeds and celery salt is that celery salt is made up of celery seeds mixed with table salt. On the other hand, celery seeds only contain the seeds in whole or ground form.
- 4-serving meals starting at $3.77 per serving (up to 25% cheaper than HelloFresh).
- Incredible variety with 10+ weekly meal options, delivered directly to you.
- Easy to prepare meals ready in 30-minutes or less.
Celery seeds can add additional flavor to any recipe, from salads to soups, but if you want the flavor of celery seed with additional salt as well, you’re better off keeping celery salt in the pantry.
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Spicy Buffalo Celery Salt Chicken Wings
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Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken wings, split at joints, tips discarded
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Buffalo Sauce:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup hot sauce (like Frank's Red Hot)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Celery salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the flour, celery salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
Dredge the chicken wings in the flour mixture, ensuring they are well-coated.
In a large skillet or deep fryer, heat vegetable oil to 375°F (190°C). Fry the chicken wings in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 10-12 minutes per batch. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
For the Buffalo Sauce:
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder until well combined.
Toss the fried chicken wings in the Buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
Sprinkle the wings with additional celery salt for an extra burst of flavor.
Serve the Spicy Buffalo Celery Salt Chicken Wings with celery sticks and your favorite dipping sauce.
Nutrition
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg