Limited Edition Collector Blades
How to Peel and Cut Celery Root (Celeriac)
How do you peel celery root? Use a knife, not a peeler. Cut off the top and bottom so it sits flat, then slice the knobby skin away from top to bottom following the curve. A sturdy chef's knife is the right tool: the Dalstrong Gladiator Series 8" Chef's Knife ($79) is German X50CrMoV15 at 54–56 HRC, tough enough for this dense root. Drop the peeled pieces in lemon water so they don't brown.
Celery root (celeriac) is the knobby root of a celery variety. It tastes like mild celery and parsley and is great mashed, roasted, in soups and raw in remoulade.
Step by step
- Scrub off dirt.
- Cut off the top and root end so it sits flat.
- Peel with the knife. Slice down from top to bottom, following the curve, removing the skin and the knobby roots. Rotate as you go.
- Trim crevices with a paring knife ($35).
- Halve, then cut into slices, sticks or cubes.
- Hold in lemon water until cooking.
Cuts by dish
| Dish | Cut |
|---|---|
| Mash or purée | 1-inch cubes |
| Roasted | ¾-inch cubes or wedges |
| Soup | Rough chop |
| Remoulade (raw) | Fine matchsticks |
| "Steaks" | Thick slices, roasted or pan-fried |
Matchsticks for remoulade
Slice the peeled root into thin planks, stack them, then cut into thin sticks. A straight-edged Shogun Series nakiri ($159) makes very even matchsticks.
Our picks
Chef's Knife 8", Gladiator Series, ELITE, NSF Certified ($79). Spec sheet: German X50CrMoV15 steel, 54–56 HRC, 16–18° edge, NSF certified.
Nakiri Knife 6", Shogun Series, ELITE ($159). Spec sheet: Japanese AUS-10V core, 62+ HRC, 8–12° edge, 66-layer Damascus or hammered finish.
Paring Knife 3.5", Gladiator Series, NSF Certified ($35). Spec sheet: German X50CrMoV15 steel, 54–56 HRC, 16–18° edge, NSF certified.
Buying and storing
Choose firm, heavy roots without soft spots. Smaller ones have fewer hollow centers. Store unpeeled in the fridge crisper for a week or more.
Hone before you start with a ceramic honing rod ($79). More: knife safety tips.
FAQ
How do you peel celery root?
With a knife. Cut off the top and bottom, then slice the skin away from top to bottom. The Dalstrong Gladiator Series 8" Chef's Knife ($79) handles the dense root.
Can you use a peeler on celery root?
The skin is too knobby and thick for most peelers; a knife is faster.
How do you keep celery root from browning?
Put cut pieces in lemon water until you cook them.
Is celery root the same as celeriac?
Yes.
