Name: Festive celery salad with parmesan
Prep time: 10 min
Ingredients: 8 long celery stalks, leaves separated, and thinly sliced ((approx 1 lb)); 1 pear, thinly sliced ((optional)); 1/2 pomegranate, seeds; 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan ((approx 30 grams)); 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil or olive oil, plus more to drizzle if you like; 1 Tbsp lemon juice; fine salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Impress for less with this refreshing celery salad with shaved parmesan, it makes a delicious starter to any dinner party. It’s inexpensive, ready in 10 minutes and it looks so festive!

A black bowl of celery salad with parmesan and pomegranate.

Jump to recipe

If you are looking for a light and healthy addition to your holiday menu, you’ve just found it because this terrific salad is low calories, low fat, and packed with vitamins.

And you can assemble it in no time or make it in advance, whatever makes your life easier, absolutely perfect and budget-friendly if you are expecting a big crowd during the festive period:

No-cook, no-effort, but you won’t miss out on flavor and texture. The combination of these simple ingredients works like magic: crunchy and refreshing celery, juicy pomegranate and pear, savory parmesan, and a tangy lemon dressing.

You’ll be making this quick delicious celery salad over and over!

What ingredients you need

Celery
Pomegranate seeds
Pear (optional)
Shaved Parmesan
Lemon
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt & pepper

The ingredients for this celery salad are arranged over a white background.

How to make it

Prepping the ingredients involves a bit of slicing, but beyond that, it all comes together in no time:

Slice celery and pear
Place celery, pear, pomegranate and parmesan in a large bowl
Pour over the dressing and toss gently
Scatter with extra pomegranate seeds and parmesan
Ready to be served!

A white jar pouring the dressing over a black bowl full of celery salad and pomegranate.

This beautiful budget salad is ready in no time and it’s loaded with vitamins and health benefits!

IS CELERY GOOD FOR YOU?

Absolutely YES! Celery is low calories, but rich in minerals, fiber and phytonutrient antioxidants that contain anti-inflammatory properties.

RECIPE NOTES & TIPS

CELERY

Buy celery with crisp, firm, bright stalks. The ribs should be straight and rigid with fresh and bright green leaves. Avoid celery that is soft or damaged.

MAKE IT DAIRY FREE/VEGAN

the Parmesan adds a deep round flavor to the salad, but it’s also nice without the cheese. You might finish the salad with some toasted walnuts or pecan instead, I haven’t tried yet, but I think their warm earthiness and nutty flavor pair very well the fresh and juicy celery.

HOW LONG DOES THIS CELERY SALAD KEEP?

Celery salad leftovers keep quite well covered and chilled, for about 2 days. Before serving, pour off some of the excess liquid. And if you added sliced pear, keep in mind that the slices will eventually brown and look less appetizing. It’s just a natural oxidation process, it doesn’t affect the taste.
However, if you plan to make this salad ahead, I would suggest you store sliced celery in a separate container. Then add pomegranate seeds, parmesan, pear, and dressing when it’s time to serve!

MORE EASY AND IMPRESSIVE SALADS

If you make this festive celery salad, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it or tag a photo #theclevermeal on Instagram. I would love to hear from you!

Print Recipe

Festive celery salad with parmesan

Impress for less with this healthy and refreshing celery salad, it makes a glamorous starter to any dinner party, is ready in less than 10 minutes, and costs about $1.20 per portion!

Prep Time10 mins

Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keyword: celery salad

Servings:

Author: Katia

Ingredients

8 long celery stalks, leaves separated, and thinly sliced (approx 1 lb)
1 pear, thinly sliced (optional)
1/2 pomegranate, seeds
1/4 cup shaved Parmesan (approx 30 grams)
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil or olive oil, plus more to drizzle if you like
1 Tbsp lemon juice
fine salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Separate the celery stalks and remove the leaves. Wash and trim the stalks and slice them into 1/4 inch thick pieces. Slice the pear the same way if you use it.
Place celery, pear, and half of the pomegranate seeds and half of the shaved parmesan in a large bowl (reserve the rest for the topping).
Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper (I start with 1/4 tsp of salt). Pour the dressing over the salad, toss gently and taste. You might want to add more seasoning or olive oil according to your taste.
Serve chilled or at room temperature, topped with the rest of pomegranate seeds and shaved parmesan. Enjoy.

Notes

STORAGE: this salad keeps well, covered and chilled, for about 2 days (before serving, pour off some of the excess liquid).
If you plan to make this salad ahead, I would suggest you to store sliced celery in a separate container. Then add pomegranate seeds, parmesan, and dressing when ready to serve!

Thank you!