Recipes › Celery › Spicy Celery Stir-Fry
Spicy Celery Stir-Fry
A Sichuan-inspired stir-fry that treats celery as the main event — cut into matchsticks, hit with high heat, and tossed with garlic, ginger, dried chilies, and a savory-sweet sauce. This is one of those recipes that seems too simple but delivers enormous flavor. Ready in 10 minutes, vegan, and completely addictive over steamed rice.
Celery is in season now. More celery recipes, or see what to sow this month where you are.
Ingredients
- 8 celery stalks, cut diagonally into 2-inch pieces
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 inch fresh ginger, julienned
- 4 dried red chiliesRed pepper flakes work
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil, for stir-frying
Contains: celery, cereals gluten, sesame, soya, sulphites.
Method
- Mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sugar in a small bowl. Set aside.About 2 min
- Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over the highest heat possible until smoking. Add dried chilies and stir for 30 seconds.About 2 min
- Add garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Add celery and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until just tender but still with a significant crunch.About 5 min
- Pour in the sauce and toss to coat. Cook for 1 more minute. Serve immediately over steamed rice.About 2 min
Tips
- High heat is essential — the celery should sizzle loudly the moment it hits the pan.
- Don't cook celery past the point of crunch — it's the whole point of this dish.
- A wok works best; it concentrates the heat and gives that characteristic wok char.
Ring the changes
- Add thinly sliced beef or pork for a more substantial main course.
- Toss in a handful of roasted peanuts at the end for texture.
Keeping it
Best eaten immediately. Leftovers keep refrigerated for 1 day but will lose their crunch.
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More from the same crop
A velvety, elegant soup that puts celery front and center: a whole head of it slowly sautéed with onion and potato, then blended smooth and finished with a small amount of pungent blue cheese that melts into the base and deepens every flavor. This is a sophisticated first course or a satisfying lunch with crusty bread.
45 min · easy · Celery
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