Name: Creamy Celeriac Mash Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
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); 1/2 cup whole milk (or half and half); 2 tbsp butter (salted); Salt (to taste); Pepper (to taste); Fresh herbs (for serving)

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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!

celeriac mash with a pat of butter and thyme leaves on a black plate

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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!

three knobs of celery root next to each other on a white counter

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.

peeled celery root on a counter with the number 1 in the corner

cut celery root on a cutting board with a knife and the number 2 in the corner

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.

close up of celery root mash with pat of butter and thyme on a black plate

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.

mashed celeriac with thyme and butter on a black plate with gold knife

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

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