The ultimate comfort food is kicked up a notch or two with these Celery Root Mashed Potatoes. The flavor of potato and celery root complement each other amazingly well.

The depth of flavor the celery root adds to mashed potatoes is almost undetectable yet, at the same time, you know there's something there that's truly unforgettable!
**Please Note - The printable recipe card with detailed instructions, complete ingredient measurements, and nutritional information for making celery root mashed potatoes is available at the end of this post. OR you can hit the "jump to recipe" button (found above) to be taken directly to the recipe.
This recipe was originally shared in 2014. This post has been updated with additional information, including a recipe card complete with nutritional information, but the recipe itself has remained unchanged.
The ingredient list:
**Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience. #CommissionsEarned
- russet potatoes
- celery root
- milk
- butter
- salt and pepper
- chives
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- chef's knife
- cutting board
- vegetable peeler
- large stockpot
- colander
- potato masher or ricer
- measuring cups and spoons
How this recipe came to be:
Here's what I wrote about this recipe back in 2014 -
The first time I had mashed potatoes with celery root was some years ago when a group of my girlfriends took me to a local Williams-Sonoma store for my birthday.
The store was having a holiday cooking class, and somehow, my girlfriends knew this would be right up my alley. LOL. Go figure!
One of the recipes that WS had demonstrated that fateful day was for mashed potato with celery root, and it's been on my mind ever since.
Thanksgiving without celery? Nonsense!
For me, and maybe for you too, the flavor and aroma of celery is where Thanksgiving begins!
The moment I smell celery, my mind is immediately taken to the Thanksgiving dinner table, even if it's the middle of summer in a heatwave.
Why this unique mashed potato recipe works:
The thing that stuck in my head about this delicious side dish was the way the mashed potatoes tasted just the same as my favorite mashed potatoes tasted, only a whole lot better, thanks to the complimentary taste of the celery root.
Why in the world it took me so long to make mashed celery root potatoes baffles me. But, you can learn from my mistakes and make these potatoes this year. I promise you won't be sorry!
It's a new Thanksgiving tradition that I hope will be passed down from generation to generation in my family, and hopefully yours as well.
If you're nervous about using this gnarly looking root vegetable (also called celeriac or knob celery) for the first time like I was, don't be.
What is celery root and how does it taste?
If you're nervous about using this gnarly looking root vegetable (also called celeriac or knob celery) for the first time like I was, don't be.
Celery root's flavor is mild and mellow with the texture of a potato and celery taste, only not as overbearing and intense.
And, as a bonus, there are no strings attached…celery strings, that is!
How to cut and trim celery root:
How to make mashed celery root potatoes:
- Trim, peel, and chop the celery root into 2" chunks.
- Peel and chop the russet potatoes into 2" chunks.
- Add them both to a large pot and cover with cold water.
- Add salt, cover, and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to medium and allow the vegetables to cook (uncovered) for 25-30 minutes until fork-tender.
- Drain the vegetables and add warm milk, butter, and pepper.
- Mash and keep warm to serve.
- Serve with minced chives, if desired.
Additional side dishes using celery you'll also love:
*French Lentil Salad (shown below)
French lentil salad is best served chilled. It’s a flavorful, protein-packed, side dish, or it can serve as a vegetarian main course with only one minor adjustment to the recipe.
*Old-Fashioned Red Bean Salad (shown below)
This fast, easy, no-cook and economical recipe for red bean salad calls for only a handful of ingredients. It’s the perfect chilled side dish to serve for any and every occasion!
*Golden Dijon Potato Salad (shown below)
Golden Dijon Potato Salad is cool, creamy, and refreshing with just the right amount of tang from the Dijon, and the perfect amount of crunch to balance all that creaminess.
These pretty and easy Duchess Potatoes look like roses and will be the star of any dinner plate. What makes them even better is that they can be made using leftover mashed potatoes. Talk about an impressive way to serve leftovers!
*Celery Root Mashed Potatoes (shown below) THIS IS THE PLACE!!
Below is the printable recipe card along with the exact ingredient measurements and nutritional information for making today's delicious and nutritious mashed potato side dish.
⭐If you've made this recipe, or are excited to make this recipe, I'd appreciate it if you'd take a moment to leave it a star rating on the recipe card, along with a comment of why you rated as you did.
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Printable Recipe Card
Celery Root Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 5 pounds russet potatoes peeled and cut into 2" chunks
- 1 large celery root trimmed, peeled and cut into 2" chunks
- 1½ tablespoon coarse salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup milk warmed slightly
- 4 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Add the prepared potatoes and celery root into a large pot and add enough cold water to cover the vegetables slightly.
- Add the salt to the pot, cover, and bring to a boil over medium/high heat.
- Reduce the heat to medium, uncover, and simmer the potatoes and celery root until fork-tender (approximately 25 minutes).
- Drain the vegetables in a colander and return them back to the hot pot.
- Add the warm milk, pepper, and butter.
- Mash the vegetables until your desired consistency, adding additional warm milk and butter if desired.
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's recipe for Celery Root Mashed Potatoes as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
Kellie Hemmerly says
Love the addition of celery root!
Lauren says
I've been craving mashed potatoes like crazy lately and I completely forgot about adding celery root to them. I made them like this last winter and they were so good!
Angie Barrett says
ooo a Holiday cooking class at WS would be amazing! I can't wait to add celery root to my mashed potatoes next time I make them!
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
I'd never think to put celery in here. Leave it to Williams Sonoma to come up with something like that! These look perfect for the holidays. can't wait to give them a whirl!
Anita says
Celery root is definitely one of those things I'm always overlooking, love that you found a delicious way to use them!
Meseidy says
Great way to change up traditional Thanksgiving side!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I love starting new traditions with new ways to make a classic! This looks yummy!
german in pdx says
I love celeriac and am so glad to be able to find it now without any problems. Potatoes and celeriac are a match made in heaven, just so good. ~ Bea @ The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez says
I have mad-love for celery root, always have...I love its taste! I would eat that whole bowl.
Ginny McMeans says
What a fun outing you had at WS! So glad you learned about celery root in mashed potatoes so that you could introduce them to me. 🙂 Thanks!
The Food Hunter says
I've got to try this!
Angie says
This looks so amazing, can't wait to try!
RJ Flamingo says
I haven't seen celeriac in a long time, but I've done this once or twice, several years ago. Now you make me want to look for it again! So good!
Cookin' Canuck says
Celery root really is the funniest looking vegetable, but I do love a good celery root and potato mash like this one!
Brenda@SugarFreeMom says
I've been wanting to try celery root forever and still haven't made it yet! You've inspired me to pick some up and get going with it!
Back for Seconds says
This is something new to me, but wow, it looks delicious!
Martha @ A Family Feast says
WOW - last weekend we ate at a restaurant that served something very similar to this recipe...and it was amazing! Can't wait to try it at home!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
This is GENIUS!!!!
Nancy Piran says
Okay I'll admit before this I had no idea what celery root was. I looked it up and I am thinking it is definitely something I want to try! These potatoes look delicious!
Nutmeg Nanny says
I love celery root and I hate how under appreciated it can be. I bet this taste delicious!
Erin Dee says
I love clever birthday presents like that. 🙂 And interesting dish! I never knew what celery root was good for until now!