Bacon, cranberry, and walnut stuffed celery is a savory and sweet appetizer that’s perfect for holiday gatherings, parties, or as a fun snack. The combination of salty bacon, tart cranberries, and crunchy walnuts pairs beautifully with the crispness of fresh celery. Here’s a simple recipe to make it:
Ingredients:
- 4-5 large celery stalks
- 4 slices of bacon (cooked and crumbled)
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries (or fresh if you prefer)
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup cream cheese (softened)
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, for a bit of tang)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Celery:
- Wash and dry the celery stalks. Cut them into 3-4 inch pieces.
- Using a small knife or spoon, carefully remove the strings from the celery, if necessary, to make them more pleasant to eat.
- Cook the Bacon:
- In a skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Once done, remove from heat, let cool, and crumble the bacon into small pieces.
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), and Dijon mustard. Mix until smooth.
- Add in the crumbled bacon, chopped walnuts, and dried cranberries. Stir until evenly combined. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
- Stuff the Celery:
- Use a spoon to fill each celery stalk with the bacon-cranberry-walnut mixture. You can mound it a bit to make it look more festive.
- Serve:
- Arrange the stuffed celery on a platter. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives for a pop of color, if desired.
Optional Variations:
- For extra creaminess, you can add a small amount of blue cheese or goat cheese to the filling.
- If you’re making it ahead, you can prepare the filling the night before and stuff the celery right before serving to maintain the celery’s crispness.
This stuffed celery is a perfect combination of flavors and textures, making it an irresistible and easy-to-make appetizer!
