Think celery is just for crunch in salads? Think again! This simple yet flavorful Sautéed Celery transforms an everyday veggie into a warm, savory side dish with just a few pantry staples. It’s quick, healthy, and surprisingly satisfying perfect alongside rice, tofu, or grilled fish.

Ingredients

• 8 to 12 stalks of celery (including leaves), sliced 1/4-inch thick on a diagonal
• 2 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos
• 1 tsp rice vinegar (or apple cider/white wine vinegar)
• Black pepper, to taste
• Optional: 2 tbsp chopped parsley or celery leaves for garnish

Preparation max 20min

1) Prep the celery

• Wash thoroughly and trim any browned ends.
• Slice the stalks diagonally into 1/4-inch pieces.
• Roughly chop a few leaves for added flavor and garnish.

2) Sauté the garlic

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add minced garlic and sauté for ~1 minute until fragrant (don’t let it burn).

3) Cook the celery

• Add sliced celery to the pan.
• Pour in soy sauce and rice vinegar.
• Season with black pepper.
• Stir well and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until celery is tender but still crisp.

4) Finish and serve

• Turn off the heat.
• Stir in chopped parsley or celery leaves.
• Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
• Serve hot as a side dish

Tips:

• You can use garlic powder if fresh garlic isn’t available (about 1/2 tsp).
• This pairs beautifully with rice, tofu, fish, or stir-fried grains.
• Wat nmore acidity? Add a small squeeze of lemon before serving.

Allergy-Friendly & Dietary Adaptations

Soy-Free: Substitute soy sauce with coconut aminos to make the recipe soy-free. It has a similar salty-sweet flavor and is great for people avoiding soy.

Gluten-Free: Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of regular soy sauce. Regular soy sauce usually contains wheat.

Low-Sodium: Choose low-sodium soy sauce or dilute the sauce slightly with water. You can also skip the added salt and adjust to taste at the end.

Low FODMAP: Garlic may trigger symptoms for some people following a low-FODMAP diet. You can:

• Use garlic-infused olive oil (without garlic pieces)
• Skip garlic entirely and season with fresh herbs like chives or parsley

Oil-Free: To make it oil-free, sauté with a splash of vegetable broth or water instead of olive oil, keeping a close eye so it doesn’t stick.

🧒 A fun and tasty recipe for kids!

Kids love the tender-crisp texture and slightly sweet, garlicky flavor plus, it’s a great way to use up extra celery in the fridge!

Enjoy your meal! 🍽️