Celery Chopped Salad with Dates, Feta and Nuts (Vegetarian, Gluten-Free)

5 from 22 votes
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The very first Hungry Lady Salad of 2023! This will make you rethink celery.
I’ve been making variations of this salad for years, usually when I don’t have salad greens on hand but crave that fresh, bright flavor that only a salad can bring. And before you question the usability of the celery you forgot in the back of your refrigerator, I have a hack for you! If your celery is a little wilted, simply place it in a bowl of ice water to heighten the crispiness, then drain on a tea towel before continuing. You can thank me later.

Watch Me Make My Celery Chopped Salad with Dates, Feta and Nuts

If you’re in need of some more healthy and delicious salads, be sure to follow me on Facebook, or see my full Hungry Lady Salad series (and so many other delicious recipes!) over on Pinterest.

How To Make My Celery Chopped Salad with Dates, Feta and Nuts

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Step 1. Seperate the celery stalks and leaves. Slice the stalks thinly on a bias and roughly chop the leaves.  

Step 2. To toast the nuts, warm them in a medium skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until fragrant and toasted, about 2-4 minutes. 

Step 3. Place sliced celery stalks and leaves in a medium sized bowl.  

Step 4. Add the chopped nuts, dates, feta cheese, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, olive oil, and red pepper flakes. Season generously with salt and pepper, and toss to combine. 

Step 5. Enjoy!

What Else Can I Use?

  • Queso fresco is a great substitute for feta, as is parmesan
  • Pecans or walnuts are my preference here, almonds are good too.
  • If you’re nut-free, try using toasted sunflower seeds
  • With the meaty dates, cheese, and nuts I find this a satisfying light lunch on its own, though you could throw in some leftover rotisserie chicken as well.

This Celery Chopped Salad with Dates, Feta and Nuts is special because:

It’s fast, easy and incredibly filling

It’s gluten-free and vegetarian

You can make the salad ahead of time – just leave the nuts off until you’re ready to serve to preserve their crunch!

It’s a great way to use up celery, or improvise when you don’t have traditional salad greens on hand.

Chopped Hungry Lady Salads

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The Famous La Scala Chopped Salad

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Lentil Chopped Salad with Honey Walnut Dressing (Vegetarian, Gluten-Free)

Tuscan Kale Chopped Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing (Vegetarian, Gluten-Free)

If you make my Celery Chopped Salad with Dates Feta and Nuts, and I hope you do, please leave me a comment here and rate the recipe. Your feedback means a lot to me! You can also post to Instagram and tag me so I can share your creations!

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5 from 22 votes

Celery Chopped Salad with Dates, Feta and Nuts (Vegetarian, Gluten-Free)

A Hungry Lady Salad that will have you rethinking Celery.
Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients 

  • 10 Stalks of Celery
  • ½ cup Walnuts or Pecans, coarsely chopped
  • 6 Medjool Dates, pitted and roughly chopped
  • ½ cup Feta Cheese, crumbled
  • 1 Shallot, sliced thin
  • Juice from 1 Lemon
  • 1 Tablespoon White Wine Vinegar
  • ¼ cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
  • teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
  • Kosher Salt
  • Fresh Cracked Black Pepper

Instructions 

  • Separate the leaves from the stalks of the celery. Slice the stalks thinly on a bias and roughly chop the leaves.
  • If your celery is a little wilted, place it in a bowl of ice water to heighten the crispiness, then drain on a tea towel before continuing.
  • To toast the nuts, warm them in a medium skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until fragrant and toasted, about 2-4 minutes. 
  • Note: If you are making this salad ahead, store the nuts separately and mix in just before serving to maintain their crunch.
  • Place sliced celery stalks and leaves in a medium sized bowl.
  • Add the chopped nuts, dates, feta cheese, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, olive oil, and red pepper flakes. Season generously with salt and pepper, and toss to combine.
  • Serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 247kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 150mg | Potassium: 251mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 133IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 91mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Course: Lunch, Salad
Servings: 6
Calories: 247
Keyword: Celery, chopped salad, Hungry Lady Salads, lunch salads
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49 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I had to cut this recipe in half because I only a few stalks of celery It was so good that I immediately added celery to my grocery list for next week so I can make it again.

  2. 5 stars
    I have tried and enjoyed MANY of your salad recipes, but this one is extra special. The right balance of sweet, crunchy and satisfying, with the zing of lemon juice and crushed red pepper. flakes. It really is he perfect balance . This one will be enjoyed often..

    1. I’m so thrilled you loved it, Julia!
      If you love this, you’ll love some of my new salads I’ll be sharing soon… 🙂
      Enjoy,
      Kat.

  3. 5 stars
    So good!!! I’m going to make a double recipe next time because it took great restraint for me not to devour it all in one sitting!

  4. 5 stars
    Awesome salad! Made me rethink and enjoy eating celery! I chopped up and added a few strips of crispy bacon. Thank you!

  5. 5 stars
    Absolutely delish. Even better than expected. Just all works! I did add pomegranate seeds which were a pretty addition.

    1. It’s such an unexpected surprise of a salad, I’m glad you liked it Katie!
      The pomegranate seeds sound like a perfect addition too.
      Enjoy,
      Kat.

  6. 5 stars
    This was so easy and delicious. My husband thought I was crazy when I said that I was going to make a celery salad, but he loved it and so did I. It was even better the next day. This will become a salad I will make regularly. I have yet to try one of your recipes that I didn’t find delicious. I love that most are made with minimal ingredients that are easy to find and put together.

    1. This feedback made my day, Laura!
      I’m so excited for this to become a part of your regular rotation.
      Enjoy!
      Kat.

  7. 5 stars
    Can’t wait to make this. I already have everything but the dates on hand and those are currently on sale at the Aldi a few blocks away. I could use up leftover baby spinach in it too I think.

  8. 5 stars
    Making it!!!!I love celery and dates and nuts. And best thing, I already have all those ingredients in my fridge. Kathleen, you need your own cooking show! Hungry Lady Salads.

    1. There’s no better feeling than whipping up something delicious from what’s already in your pantry – I’m so glad you loved it Amy!
      I can’t wait for you to get your hands on my cookbook when it comes out 🙂
      Enjoy,
      Kat.