Céleri Rémoulade (French Celeriac Salad)

In French cooking, céleri rémoulade is the crisp, creamy celeriac salad often served cold as a starter, lunch plate component or sharp side for richer dishes. Raw celeriac is cut into fine matchsticks, then coated in a mayonnaise-based rémoulade sharpened with Dijon mustard and lemon juice. The flavour is clean and gently peppery, with the root’s earthy crunch softened by a short chill without losing its bite. Simple seasoning keeps the salad focused, while the dressing can be adjusted with extra citrus for a brighter finish.
Cuisine style French bistro salad
Cooking style No-cook preparation • Make-ahead friendly • Minimal cleanup
Time commitment Under 30 minutes

Why this recipe works

  • Sharpness balances richness: Lemon juice and Dijon mustard cut through the mayonnaise, giving the salad its classic tangy finish.
  • Crisp but creamy: Raw celeriac keeps a firm bite while the dressing coats each matchstick evenly.
  • Fast, no-cook method: The salad comes together quickly with simple whisking, tossing, and a short chill.

Get the most out of this recipe

Ingredient notes

  • Choose firm celeriac: Look for a heavy, firm root without soft patches; fresher celeriac has a cleaner flavour and better crunch.
  • Cut finely: Thin matchsticks give the dressing more surface area to cling to and make the raw celeriac easier to eat.
  • Use lemon to balance: Add lemon gradually to brighten the dressing without making it overly sharp.

Texture tips

  • For extra crunch: Serve soon after chilling, while the celeriac is still crisp and freshly coated.
  • For even coating: If the dressing feels too thick, loosen it with a little more lemon juice before tossing.

Make-ahead tips

  • Make ahead briefly: The salad benefits from a short chill, which helps the dressing settle and softens the celeriac slightly.
  • Serve cold: Keep covered in the fridge and stir before serving to re-coat the celeriac.
  • Best texture: It will keep for up to two days, but the texture is crispest on the day it is made.

Ingredient swaps

  • Lighter dressing: Greek yoghurt can replace the mayonnaise for a tangier, lighter version.
  • Sharper citrus: Lime can be used instead of lemon if you want a more pronounced citrus edge.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
Print
  1. Peel the celeriac, then cut it into fine matchsticks using a mandoline julienne or a sharp knife. Squeeze a little lemon juice over the celeriac as you go to help prevent browning.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard and the remaining lemon juice until smooth. Season with the fine sea salt and black pepper.
  3. Add the celeriac matchsticks to the dressing and toss thoroughly until evenly coated. Taste and adjust with a little more lemon juice, salt or pepper if needed.
  4. Cover and chill for 10 minutes so the flavours meld and the celeriac softens slightly. Serve cold.

Made this recipe? Rate it — a comment is optional.

Recipe notes

Tips

  • For the neatest matchsticks, trim the celeriac into a stable block before julienning.
  • If the dressing feels too thick to coat evenly, loosen it with a little extra lemon juice and toss again.

Substitutions

  • Replace Mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier dressing.
  • Replace Lemon with lime for a sharper citrus note.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 2 days
  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Stir before serving; if it loosens slightly as it sits, simply toss to re-coat the celeriac.

Ratings & reviews

Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.

Tried this recipe?

Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.

If you leave a comment, use 10–500 characters.

Stay inspired

Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.

Recipe overview

  • Servings: 2 servings
  • Total time: 25min (15min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: French
  • Allergens:
    Eggs Mustard
Beginner friendly Kid friendly

Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.

Add to meal planner

Equipment you'll need

Advertisement

Recommended tools for this recipe

Best overall

Misen 8-Inch Chef Knife

Sharp modern chef knife
  • AUS-10 steel
  • Balanced design
  • Less traditional feel

Got ingredients left?

Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.

Find recipes with these ingredients →

Make this recipe easier next time

Advertisement

These tools help you get better results with less effort.

Best overall

Misen 8-Inch Chef Knife

Sharp modern chef knife
  • AUS-10 steel
  • Balanced design
  • Less traditional feel
Best value

Titanium & PP Double-Sided Cutting Board

Easy-clean double-sided board
  • Separate surfaces for meat and produce
  • Resists odors and stains
  • Harder on knife edges than wood or plastic
Top quality

OXO Good Grips Stainless Mixing Bowl Set

Insulated grip bowls
  • Non-slip base
  • Comfort grip
  • Higher price
Best overall

OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Cutting Board Set

Practical everyday board set
  • Two useful sizes with reversible cutting surfaces
  • Dishwasher safe and easy to clean
  • Plastic surfaces will show knife marks over time

Browse alphabetically

Looking for a specific recipe? Choose a letter below to jump directly to recipes starting with that letter or number.

Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?

Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.

Add JustRecipes to Google

Every recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.