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Quick Celery Pickles

By Bryan Roof

Published on January 27, 2026

Time

10 minutes, plus 1 hour pickling

Yield

Serves 8 to 12 (Makes about 1 quart)

Quick Celery Pickles

Ingredients

1 pound celery ribs, trimmed and cut into 4 by ½-inch sticks5 sprigs fresh tarragon 1¼ cups seasoned rice vinegar ¼ cup water 2 garlic cloves, peeled and halved¼ teaspoon black peppercorns ¼ teaspoon yellow mustard seeds

Before You Begin

We cold-brine the celery because it absorbs the brine so quickly. The brine can be reused once for another batch of celery sticks. 

Instructions

  1. Place 1 pound celery, trimmed and cut into 4 by ½-inch sticks, and 5 sprigs tarragon upright in 1-quart glass jar with tight-fitting lid.
  2. Whisk 1¼ cups seasoned rice vinegar, ¼ cup water, 2 halved garlic cloves¼ teaspoon peppercorns, and ¼ teaspoon mustard seeds together in bowl. Pour brine into jar, making sure all celery is submerged. Affix jar lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Pickles will keep, refrigerated, for up to 6 hours in brine. For longer storage, remove celery from brine and refrigerate in airtight container for up to 24 hours.
Quick Celery Pickles
Photography by Steve Klise. Styling by Christine Tobin.

Quick Celery Pickles

Headshot of Bryan Roof
By Bryan Roof

Published on January 27, 2026

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Time

10 minutes, plus 1 hour pickling

Yield

Serves 8 to 12 (Makes about 1 quart)

Ingredients

1 pound celery ribs, trimmed and cut into 4 by ½-inch sticks
5 sprigs fresh tarragon
1¼ cups seasoned rice vinegar
¼ cup water
2 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
¼ teaspoon black peppercorns
¼ teaspoon yellow mustard seeds

Ingredients

1 pound celery ribs, trimmed and cut into 4 by ½-inch sticks
5 sprigs fresh tarragon
1¼ cups seasoned rice vinegar
¼ cup water
2 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
¼ teaspoon black peppercorns
¼ teaspoon yellow mustard seeds

Ingredients

1 pound celery ribs, trimmed and cut into 4 by ½-inch sticks
5 sprigs fresh tarragon
1¼ cups seasoned rice vinegar
¼ cup water
2 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
¼ teaspoon black peppercorns
¼ teaspoon yellow mustard seeds

Why This Recipe Works

 To create these quick pickles, we opted for the mellow acidity and sweetness of seasoned rice vinegar, which perfectly complemented the celery. Garlic, black peppercorns, and mustard seeds contributed a hint of heat and spice, while fresh tarragon added a subtle anise note.

Before You Begin

We cold-brine the celery because it absorbs the brine so quickly. The brine can be reused once for another batch of celery sticks. 

Instructions

  1. Place 1 pound celery, trimmed and cut into 4 by ½-inch sticks, and 5 sprigs tarragon upright in 1-quart glass jar with tight-fitting lid.
  2. Whisk 1¼ cups seasoned rice vinegar, ¼ cup water, 2 halved garlic cloves¼ teaspoon peppercorns, and ¼ teaspoon mustard seeds together in bowl. Pour brine into jar, making sure all celery is submerged. Affix jar lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Pickles will keep, refrigerated, for up to 6 hours in brine. For longer storage, remove celery from brine and refrigerate in airtight container for up to 24 hours.

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