Celery juice has become a popular wellness drink, thanks to its fresh flavor, simple preparation, and reputation as a refreshing addition to a healthy lifestyle. Made primarily from fresh celery stalks and water, it has a naturally light, vegetal taste and can be prepared at home with a blender or juicer.

Although celery contains useful nutrients and plant compounds, many claims surrounding celery juice go far beyond what scientific evidence currently supports. It is not a miracle detox drink, and there is no good evidence that celery juice alone can cure disease, melt away body fat, or eliminate toxins from the body.

The best way to enjoy celery juice is as a flavorful beverage that can complement an overall nutritious diet.

Ingredients

For approximately 2 servings, you will need:

• 1 large bunch fresh celery
• ½–1 cup cold filtered water, as needed
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, optional
• ½ small cucumber, optional
• 1 small green apple, optional
• A few fresh mint leaves, optional
• Ice cubes, for serving

The simplest version uses only celery and water. The optional ingredients can make the flavor sweeter, brighter, and more refreshing.

Choosing Fresh Celery

Look for celery stalks that are firm and crisp. The leaves should look fresh rather than wilted, and the stalks should not have extensive brown or slimy areas.

Fresh celery produces a cleaner-tasting juice and usually contains plenty of natural moisture, so you may need very little additional water.

Wash the celery carefully before preparing it. Since celery grows close to the ground, rinse each stalk thoroughly under cool running water to remove dirt and debris.

How to Make Celery Juice in a Juicer

Step 1: Wash the Celery

Separate the celery stalks and rinse them thoroughly.

Trim away the base and any damaged portions. The leaves can also be used if they are fresh and clean; they provide additional celery flavor.

Step 2: Cut Into Pieces

Cut the celery into smaller pieces that fit comfortably into your juicer.

There is no need to chop it extremely finely. Pieces approximately 2–3 inches long are generally convenient.

Step 3: Juice

Feed the celery pieces through the juicer according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Collect the juice in a clean container.

If you prefer a smoother drink, strain the juice through a fine-mesh sieve.

Step 4: Add Lemon

For a brighter flavor, stir in a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice.

Taste before adding more. Celery already has a distinctive flavor, and a small amount of lemon can make the drink noticeably fresher.

Step 5: Serve

Pour the juice into a glass and serve immediately.

Add a few ice cubes if you prefer it cold.

Fresh celery juice is generally most enjoyable soon after preparation.

How to Make Celery Juice Without a Juicer

A blender can also be used.

Place the washed and chopped celery into a blender.

Add approximately ½ cup of cold water and blend until smooth.

If the mixture is too thick to blend easily, add a little more water.

Pour the blended mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or nut-milk bag, pressing gently to extract the liquid.

Discard or save the remaining pulp for another recipe.

Transfer the strained juice to a glass and add lemon if desired.

A More Flavorful Celery Juice

Pure celery juice has a strong, fresh vegetable flavor that some people may find intense.

If you are new to celery juice, try combining it with cucumber and green apple.

Ingredients

• 4–5 celery stalks
• ½ cucumber
• 1 small green apple
• ½ lemon, peeled
• Small handful fresh mint
• ½ cup cold water, if using a blender

Juice or blend the ingredients together and strain if necessary.

The cucumber adds freshness, apple provides natural sweetness, lemon contributes acidity, and mint creates a cooling finish.

What Nutrients Does Celery Provide?

Celery is a low-calorie vegetable containing water, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and various plant compounds.

It can contribute small amounts of nutrients such as vitamin K, folate, and potassium.

However, juicing changes the physical form of the vegetable. When celery is juiced and the pulp is removed, much of the fiber is left behind.

This is one reason whole celery can be nutritionally different from celery juice.

Whole vegetables are generally a valuable part of a balanced diet because they provide fiber along with water and micronutrients.

Celery Juice and Hydration

One straightforward benefit of celery juice is that it contributes fluid.

Celery itself contains a large amount of water, and turning it into juice creates a hydrating beverage.

However, celery juice is not uniquely necessary for hydration. Plain water, milk, unsweetened beverages, fruits, vegetables, soups, and other drinks can also contribute to daily fluid intake.

If you enjoy celery juice, it can simply be one option among many.

Common Celery Juice Myths

Myth 1: Celery Juice Detoxifies the Body

Celery juice is often marketed as a detox beverage.

Your body already has organs, particularly the liver and kidneys, that continuously process substances and remove metabolic waste.

There is no established need for celery juice to “flush toxins” from a healthy person’s body.

Drinking celery juice can contribute fluid and nutrients, but it should not be described as a special detoxification treatment.

Myth 2: Celery Juice Burns Fat

Celery is naturally low in calories, but there is no magic property in celery juice that automatically burns body fat.

Weight management depends on numerous factors, including overall dietary intake, physical activity, sleep, and individual circumstances.

Replacing high-calorie sugary drinks with a low-calorie vegetable beverage may reduce overall calorie intake for some people, but celery juice itself is not a fat-burning treatment.

Myth 3: Celery Juice Cures Disease

Online wellness claims sometimes suggest that celery juice can cure a wide range of conditions.

There is not sufficient evidence to support using celery juice as a treatment for serious diseases.

A nutritious diet can support general health, but it cannot replace appropriate medical diagnosis or treatment.

Whole Celery Versus Celery Juice

One important difference is fiber.

When you eat celery whole, you consume its natural fiber. When celery is juiced and the pulp is removed, much of that fiber remains in the discarded pulp.

Fiber is important for digestive health and can contribute to feelings of fullness.

For that reason, consider eating whole celery regularly as well as drinking celery juice if you enjoy both.

You can also blend celery instead of straining it, producing a thicker drink that retains more of the vegetable’s fiber.

Tips for Better Celery Juice

Use chilled celery for a naturally refreshing drink.

Add lemon gradually so the citrus does not overpower the celery.

If the flavor is too strong, combine celery with cucumber, apple, or mint.

Avoid adding large amounts of sweeteners if your goal is a low-sugar beverage.

For convenience, prepare only enough for immediate consumption or refrigerate leftovers promptly in a sealed container.

When to Enjoy Celery Juice

There is no scientifically established requirement to drink celery juice first thing in the morning.

You can enjoy it with breakfast, as an afternoon beverage, or alongside a meal.

Choose whatever time fits naturally into your routine.

A healthy diet does not depend on drinking one particular beverage at a particular time of day.

Important Considerations

Celery is a common food, but allergies are possible.

People taking medications or managing medical conditions should consider their individual dietary needs. Celery also contains vitamin K, which can be relevant for people taking certain anticoagulant medications; consistency in vitamin K intake may be important for those individuals.

Celery juice can also contain natural sodium, so people who have been advised to restrict sodium should account for it within their overall diet.

If you experience an allergic reaction or other concerning symptoms after consuming celery, stop drinking it and seek appropriate medical advice.

Storage

Fresh juice is best consumed shortly after preparation.

If you need to store it, transfer it to a clean, airtight container and refrigerate promptly.

Keep the container cold and avoid leaving fresh juice at room temperature for extended periods.

For the best flavor and quality, make small batches rather than storing large quantities for many days.

Recipe Card

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

1 large bunch celery, ½–1 cup cold water if needed, and optional lemon juice.

Directions

Wash celery thoroughly and trim the ends. Chop into manageable pieces. Juice using a juicer, or blend with water and strain through a fine-mesh sieve. Add fresh lemon juice if desired. Serve immediately over ice.

For a sweeter variation, add cucumber, green apple, lemon, and mint.