| | | | |

Celery Remoulade (Celeriac Remoulade) with Carrots, Apples & Pomegranate

-

This celery remoulade is made with celeriac (celery root) not celery stalks as the same might suggest. Celeriac is a knobbly root vegetable that has a mild, fresh flavor that’s somewhere between celery and parsley root with a hint of nuttiness. I’ve combined it here with crisp apple, carrot, and a creamy lemon dressing, it becomes a bright, crunchy salad that’s just as good for lunch as it is alongside a cozy dinner.

Celery Remoulade salad in a bowl with carrots, parsley and pomegranate seeds.
  • Fresh + creamy – the vinaigrette balances acidity from the lemon and vinegar with richness from cream.
  • Great with Swiss dishes – perfect next to rösti, cheese boards, raclette, or roast meats.
  • Make-ahead friendly – the flavors deepen as it sits.
  • Healthy, light, and beautifully textured – every bite has crunch, freshness, and brightness.

I know this might be an unpopular opinion, but I absolutely love celeriac. It smells amazing, has the best fresh, earthy flavor, and it’s one of those vegetables that deserves way more attention than it gets.

Growing up, celery remoulade was always one of those salads I’d happily go back for seconds. It’s a classic in French cuisine and just as popular in Swiss Romandy. Crunchy, creamy, and in my opinion, even better after a night in the fridge.

I did give the traditional version a little makeover, though. A handful of shredded carrots, crisp apple, fresh parsley, and juicy pomegranate seeds brighten everything up, while a creamy lemon dressing ties it all together.

It’s the kind of salad that’s just as happy next to a cozy meal of raclette or rösti as it is packed up for lunch the next day. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll be sneaking forkfuls straight from the fridge every time you walk past.

Author blurb, nice to meet you with image and text.


You’ll find the measurements and full list of ingredients in the recipe card below.

Celeriac (celery root)
The star of the show! Don’t let its knobby, funny-looking exterior fool you – inside is a crisp root vegetable with a mild, fresh flavor that’s a little nutty and just a hint of celery. Remember to toss it with lemon juice to keep it from browning and help it stay nice and fresh.

Carrot
Adds a little sweetness, extra crunch, and color.

Apple
I suggest using a crisp apple like Gala, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady for freshness and just enough natural sweetness.

Parsley
Brightens the salad and gives it that classic European herb profile.

Pomegranate arils (optional)
add juicy bursts of sweetness to the salad and a fun pop of color.

Wholegrain mustard
Adds depth and texture to the remoulade dressing.

Apple cider vinegar + lemon juice
Provide acidity that cuts through the cream.

Cream
Just enough cream gives the dressing a silky, smooth texture without making it feel heavy. It softens the tang of the lemon and vinegar while still letting the fresh flavors shine.

Two lemon curd cookies stacked with one missing a bite showing the gooey lemon curd and soft butter cookie texture.

How to make Celery Remoulade:

Celeriac or celery root - a large round knobly root vegetable.

1. Prep the celeriac (the star of the show).

Peel your celeriac – don’t be shy, that knobbly skin needs a good trim. Then shred or julienne it (a food processor or mandoline makes this quick).
As soon as it’s cut, toss it into a big bowl with the lemon juice. This keeps it crisp and bright instead of turning that sad beige.

2. Add the crunch and color.

Grate your carrot, chop your parsley (stems included – they add so much flavor), and julienne the apple.
Everything goes into the bowl with the celeriac. Give it a quick toss. It should already smell fresh and bright.

3. Make the vinaigrette.

In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, wholegrain mustard, lemon juice, cream, salt, and pepper.
It should taste creamy, tangy, and just a little sharp.

Celery Remoulade salad in a bowl with carrots, parsley and pomegranate seeds.

4. Dress it up.

Pour the vinaigrette over the celeriac salad and toss well.

5. Finish with pomegranate.

Just before serving, scatter in the pomegranate arils if using and toss gently. They add sweetness, texture, and that little jewel-like sparkle.

Celery remoulade salad being served into bowls.  Shredded celery root with carrots, parsley and pomegranate seeds.

6. Chill or serve immediately.

You can enjoy the celeriac salad right away, or let it sit for up to an hour so the flavors settle in.
It also does incredibly well as a make-ahead – the flavor only gets better.

Celery remoulade salad being served into bowls. Shredded celery root with carrots, parsley and pomegranate seeds.

Celery Remoulade with Carrots, Apples & Pomegranate

No ratings yet
A bright, crunchy, fresh-meets-cozy Swiss-inspired salad that stays delicious for days.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Course: Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 1 medium celeriac peeled and julienned (about 450–500g)
  • 1 large carrot julienned (1 cup / 100g)
  • 1 –2 cups flat-leaf parsley chopped (20–30g)
  • 1 apple julienned (1 cup / 150g)
  • 1 cup pomegranate arils 130g
  • Juice of 1 lemon 2–3 tbsp
For the Vinaigrette
  • 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar 45g
  • 6 tbsp olive oil 90g
  • 1 ½ tbsp wholegrain mustard 20g
  • Juice of 1 lemon 2–3 tbsp
  • ⅓ cup cream 80ml
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Method
 

Prep the celeriac
  1. Peel the celeriac and shred it using a grater or mandoline. Add it to a large bowl, then squeeze in the lemon juice and toss well — this keeps it crisp and prevents browning.
  2. Add the veggies and apple
  3. Grate the carrot, chop the parsley, and julienne (or grate) the apple. Add everything to the bowl and give it a good toss.
Make the vinaigrette
  1. Whisk together the cider vinegar, olive oil, mustard, lemon juice, cream, salt, and pepper. (Or add everything to a jar and shake like you mean it.)
Bring it all together
  1. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
Finish with pomegranate
  1. Add the pomegranate arils and give the salad one last gentle toss. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Chill or serve
  1. Serve right away, or refrigerate for an hour to let the flavors mingle. It gets even better by day two.

Notes

  • Prevent browning: Always toss celeriac with lemon immediately – it oxidizes fast.
  • Texture tip: Julienne gives the prettiest look, but shredding works perfectly too.
  • Make-ahead: This salad keeps beautifully for 2–3 days in the fridge.

Disclaimer: I am not a certified nutritionist. Nutrition facts are calculated using an automated database of common ingredients and are intended as an estimate only. Variations can occur depending on product brands, measuring methods, and ingredient swaps.

Did you make this recipe?

I'd love to know how it turned out!
Celery remoulade salad in a bowl with carrots, apples and pomegranate.
  • Work fast after shredding celeriac – it oxidizes quickly, so toss it in lemon juice immediately.
  • Use crisp apples – soft apples will disappear into the dressing.
  • Let it rest 10–15 minutes before serving so the flavors marry.
  • Add pomegranate last so they stay bright and juicy.
  • This remoulade recipe keeps 2–3 days in the fridge.
  • The celeriac stays crisp thanks to acid in the dressing.
  • Stir before serving to refresh the texture.
Celery Remoulade salad in a bowl with carrots, parsley and pomegranate seeds.

Celeriac – also called celery root – is a round, knobbly root vegetable with a mild celery flavor and a slightly nutty, sweet aroma. Despite the name, it’s not the root of the crunchy celery stalks we buy at the store, but a related variety grown specifically for its bulb. Once peeled, the flesh is crisp and white, perfect for shredding into salads (like this remoulade), roasting, mashing, or turning into creamy soups. It’s a staple in many European kitchens, especially in French and Swiss home cooking.

Celery remoulade (or céleri rémoulade) is a classic French and Swiss salad made with finely shredded celeriac tossed in a creamy mustard-based dressing. It’s crunchy, fresh, and tangy – a winter staple in Swiss Romandy and a perfect way to enjoy celeriac raw.

Yes! In fact, it gets even better after a few hours. The lemon and vinegar keep the celeriac crisp, and the flavors deepen as it chills. It keeps well in the fridge for 2–3 days.

Absolutely. A julienne blade, shredding disc, or mandoline works perfectly. Just make sure to coat the shredded celeriac in lemon juice right away.

Crisp varieties like Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, Gala, or Jazz hold their shape and give the salad the perfect amount of sweetness and crunch.

Yes — just replace the cream with:

  • oat cream,
  • coconut cream (for a slightly sweeter version), or
  • your favorite dairy-free creamer.
    Or skip the cream altogether and add an extra tablespoon of olive oil.

Use full-fat cream, and only add the pomegranate just before serving to prevent extra moisture. If the salad sits overnight, give it a quick stir – the dressing naturally thickens in the fridge.

Wholegrain mustard is traditional, but Dijon works too. For a milder version, use half Dijon, half wholegrain.

If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear how you liked it – and whether it converted you into a fellow celeriac fan.

Don’t miss the other fresh and cozy salads on the site. And for more Swiss-inspired recipes, stories, and seasonal cooking ideas, you can always join my newsletter – I’d love to have you there.

Hungry for More Swiss Recipes?

If you’re curious about Swiss food beyond fondue and chocolate, you’re in the right place.

Subscribe to my newsletter and I’ll send you seasonal recipes, Swiss kitchen favorites, and the occasional family story straight from my Swiss-Canadian kitchen.

More Recipes You May Like

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating