Creamy Celeriac Mash Recipe (2024)

Published: Feb 24, 2020 / Modified: Feb 24, 2020 by Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN / This post may contain affiliate links / 14 Comments

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Celeriac, also known as celery root, is the star of this simple, smooth, and delicious Creamy Celeriac Mash recipe. It’s a 30 minute, vegetarian side dish that will help you enjoy a lesser known winter vegetable!

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Celeriac is the ultimate “I don’t know what to do with this!” vegetable. It seems to pop up in CSA shares around this time of year, and sometimes lands a small spot in the produce section at grocery stores.

If you aren’t familiar with this vegetable, it’s also known as celery root, but it’s not actually the root of the celery stalks we typically buy and consume. Instead, it’s an entirely different root vegetable in the same family as regular celery.

Celeriac has a knobby, brown surface that has tiny divets. It tastes very similar to a stalk of celery, and can be eaten raw, roasted, or in this case…made into a celeriac mash!

Since it’s lower in carbs than potatoes, celeriac has become popular in recent years as a potato substitute. While I’m glad about its newfound popularity, it has so much more to offer besides being “low carb.”

It’s nutritious, delicious, and downright fun to work with in the kitchen! If you have some on hand, this easy celeriac mash is perfect for you. And if you don’t, why not pick some up to give it a try?!

How to Make Celeriac Mash

This simple celeriac puree requires just 30 minutes of prep and cook time.

Peel the celery root with a swivel peeler and use a paring knife to cut out any dirty skin from the holes on the surface. Rinse off the peeled celeriac.
Slice into cubes.
Add the celery root, shallots, and garlic to a large pot. Pour in just enough vegetable broth to cover the veggies. Bring to a boil then cover, reduce heat, and cook for 20 minutes.
Drain off most of the broth. Add the milk and butter to the pot and heat for a few minutes until melted. The goal here is to make sure you’re not adding cold milk or butter to a dish that’s supposed to be served warm.
Carefully transfer to a blender.
Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.

Where to Buy Celeriac

To get the star ingredient for this celeriac mash, it may take a little searching. However, I’ve seen it at more and more stores over the years. You can usually find it at co-ops, Whole Foods, farmers markets, or even most large, traditional grocery stores.

What does celeriac mash taste like?

Keep in mind that this dish does not taste like mashed potatoes. It has a very similar texture, but it tastes more like regular celery with hints of onion and garlic.

It’s a light, healthy side dish that makes a great base for a flavorful gravy or protein. I also like to serve it with salt and fresh herbs (like thyme) to boost the flavor.

Ways to Use Celeriac Mash

Here are my favorite ways to serve this healthy celeriac recipe!

Served with stewed lentils and mushrooms
Underneath a scoop of Vegetarian French Onion Soup or a veggie stew
On the side of Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas ham
Drizzled with melted butter mixed with honey

If you’re looking for another celery root dish while you’re here, check out the Celeriac and Apple Soup with Crispy Chickpeas.

For some other healthy vegetable mashes, see the Herbed Carrot and Swede Mash and Slow Cooker Arugula Mashed Potatoes.

I’d love to hear how you like this recipe! Rate/review using the stars on the recipe card or in the comments, and follow the Veg World on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Looking for something totally different? Browse the recipe library.

📖 Recipe

Creamy Celeriac Mash Recipe

A simple, healthy celeriac recipe that makes a delicious side dish.

5 from 25 votes

Print Pin Rate Save

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 25 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 186kcal

Author: Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

Ingredients

▢ 2 pounds celeriac - about 3-4 small
▢ 2 shallots - peeled and quartered
▢ 6 cloves garlic - peeled
▢ Vegetable broth - to cover the veggies, about 2 cups
▢ ½ cup whole milk - or half and half
▢ 2 tablespoon butter - salted
▢ Salt - to taste
▢ Pepper - to taste
▢ Fresh herbs - for serving

Instructions

Use a swivel peeler to remove the brown celeriac flesh. You may need to use a paring knife to slice off small areas that you can't reach with the peeler. Rinse off each peeled celeriac, and cut into cubes.
Add the celeriac, shallots, and whole garlic cloves to a pot or Dutch oven. Pour in enough vegetable broth to just cover the veggies. Bring to a boil over high heat, cover, reduce heat to low and cook for 20 minutes, or until the celery root is fork-tender.
Carefully drain most of the vegetable broth (about ⅔ of it; leave some for flavor). Return the pot with the veggies back to the stove and add the whole milk and butter. Cook for 2-3 minutes over medium heat, stirring well, until the butter is melted and the milk is warmed (but not boiling).
Carefully transfer the mixture to a blender. Depending on the size of your blender, you may want to do it in batches to prevent overheating/splattering. Blend for ~1-2 minutes, until smooth. Alternatively, you can use a potato masher and mash the celeriac right in the pot. It will still taste delicious but won't have as creamy of a texture as it does when you blend it.
Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Serve with more butter, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs.

Notes

Serve with lentils, mushroom gravy, or drizzled with melted butter and honey. It makes a great side dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas roasts. You can also serve it with a scoop of stew or French onion soup.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave on high for 1-2 minutes.

Nutrition

Did you make this recipe?Tag @its_a_vegworld_afterall and follow me today!

Have a wonderful week! – Lizzie

FAQs

Is celeriac healthier than potatoes? ›

Celeriac can also serve as an alternative to potatoes for people who are trying to reduce their calorie or carbohydrate intake. According to the USDA, one cup of boiled celeriac pieces contains 42 calories and 9.14 g of carbohydrate. The same amount of boiled potatoes provides 134 calories and 31.2 g of carbohydrate.

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What does celeriac cream taste like? ›

The sweet, nutty taste of celeriac purée is a great alternative to a side of mashed potato. In France, we also use it as the basis of a rémoulade. Celeriac is available all year round, but it's at its best from September to April. Choose a firm, heavy one and use a potato peeler to remove the thick skin.

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Is celeriac anti-inflammatory? ›

Celeriac is packed with antioxidants (which can help fight inflammation), vitamins and minerals. When raw, it is an excellent source of vitamin K, as well as vitamin B6, vitamin C, phosphorous, magnesium and calcium.

Does celeriac taste like potatoes? ›

It has an earthy taste with a slight hint of celery flavor. The texture is close to a turnip or potato. Celeriac isn't just tasty, it also has some great health benefits. It's high in fiber and various vitamins and minerals.

Get More Info Here ›

Who should not eat celery root? ›

Bleeding disorders: Celery root might increase the risk of bleeding when used in medicinal amounts. Don't use celery root if you have a bleeding disorder. Thyroid conditions: Celery might interfere with thyroid function.

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What is celeriac called in America? ›

Celeriac, also known as celery root, turnip-rooted celery, or knob celery, is a large, bumpy, brown vegetable that's harvested in the wintertime.

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Does celeriac cause gas? ›

Celery root is high in fiber, which can sometimes be tough on your stomach and cause gas. If you're not used to eating high-fiber foods, start with a small amount of celeriac before you serve it as a side dish or substitute it for potatoes.

Is celeriac a nightshade? ›

Mashed Celeriac (nightshade-free) | Honey and Spice.

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Can you eat too much celeriac? ›

Celeriac is a rich source of vitamin K which, along with phosphorus, is important for healthy bones and may also have anticancer properties. A word of warning – vitamin K can affect blood clotting so people taking blood-thinning medication should avoid eating too much of it.

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What is another name for celeriac? ›

Celeriac is a root vegetable closely related to celery, parsley and parsnips. Its scientific name is Apium graveolens var. rapaceum, and it's also known as turnip-rooted celery, knob celery or celery root.

What flavors go well with celeriac? ›

Vanilla – Roasted Aromas

Cooking celeriac brings out its vanilla and roasted notes. Try serving it with coconut, cake, asparagus, Bayonne ham, crawfish, soy sauce and douchi or Chinese fermented black beans, and you'll see just what we mean.

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Can dogs eat celeriac? ›

Celeriac. Celeriac is very hard, so you will have to boil or steam the vegetable in order for your dog to indulge and digest this vegetable. Celeriac is rich in potassium and vitamin B11, which is good for your dog's digestion, nervous system and energy levels.

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Can celeriac replace potatoes? ›

With only 5.9 grams of carbs per 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of cooked vegetable, celeriac is a healthier, lower-carb alternative to potatoes (2). Plus, a crunchy, fresh, 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of raw celeriac has only 42 calories and 0.3 grams of fat — making it an excellent low-calorie food (1).