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The Best Crunchy Celery Salad with Creamy Pecan Dressing

Close-up of a creamy celery salad featuring crisp celery chunks coated in dressing, topped with chopped walnuts and dried cranberries.
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Discover this surprisingly addictive celery salad recipe. It is a crunchy, flavorful side dish featuring celery coated in a creamy dressing with toasted pecans and dried cranberries. This quick, no-cook salad is perfect for light lunches or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large bunch celery (about 10–12 stalks)
  • 1/2 cup pecans, toasted
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the celery: Wash the celery stalks well. Trim the ends and remove any tough outer strings. Slice the celery thinly on a diagonal to create crisp pieces. Place the sliced celery in a large bowl.
  2. Toast the pecans: Place the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant. Remove from heat and let them cool slightly before roughly chopping.
  3. Make the creamy dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream (or yogurt), lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  4. Combine ingredients: Add the toasted pecans and dried cranberries to the bowl with the sliced celery.
  5. Dress the salad: Pour the creamy dressing over the celery mixture. Gently toss everything together until the celery is evenly coated.
  6. Chill and serve: Cover the salad and chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve cold as a refreshing side dish or light lunch.

Notes

  • For extra zest, add 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh parsley to the salad before serving.
  • If you prefer a tangier dressing, substitute half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
  • Toast the pecans in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8 minutes if you prefer hands-off toasting.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.unfoldrecipes.com/celery-salad/