Caesar Stuffed Celery

Caesar Stuffed Celery is a fun twist on the classic Canadian Caesar cocktail, but as an appetizer. Crisp celery sticks are filled with a creamy, zesty Caesar-inspired filling made with cream cheese, Clamato, Worcestershire, horseradish, hot sauce, bacon, and green onions. They’re crunchy, creamy, a little spicy, and perfect for parties, game day, holidays, or anytime you want an easy make-ahead snack that feels a little different.

Caesars have always been my favorite drink, although I usually make mine virgin. I love that spicy, tangy Clamato flavor with the celery salt rim, a squeeze of lime, and a crisp celery stick tucked in the glass. The garnish is half the fun for me. I always end up snacking on the celery while I’m sipping.

That’s what gave me the idea for this recipe. I was making stuffed celery and thought, wouldn’t it be good if the filling tasted like a Caesar? Creamy, a little spicy, a little salty, and packed with that classic Caesar flavor. I made a batch for my family, and they disappeared in one sitting. That’s always a good sign around here. These Caesar Stuffed Celery sticks have all the fun of the drink, but in a bite-sized appetizer you can set out for a party or snack on straight from the fridge.

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• Celery: Look for a bunch with firm, crisp stalks. Pat the celery really dry after washing so the filling sticks instead of sliding around.
• Cream cheese: Let it soften first so the filling turns out smooth and easy to mix. Brick-style cream cheese works best here.
• Mayonnaise: Use your favorite mayo since the flavor does come through.
• Clamato juice: Don’t skip this one. It gives the filling that classic Caesar flavor and makes it taste different from regular stuffed celery.
• Worcestershire sauce: A little goes a long way. It adds that savory, salty depth you expect in a Caesar.
• Prepared horseradish: Start with 1 teaspoon if you want it mild, then add more if you like that stronger Caesar bite.
• Hot sauce: Tabasco is classic, but any hot sauce you like will work. Add a little extra if your family likes things spicy.
• Celery salt: Taste before adding more since Clamato and Worcestershire are already salty.
• Black pepper: Freshly cracked pepper adds a little more bite to the filling.
• Fresh lemon or lime juice: Either one works, but lime gives it more of that cocktail feel. Fresh juice tastes best.
• Cooked bacon: Chop it finely so you get a little bacon in every bite. Save a bit extra for sprinkling on top.
• Green onions: Slice them small so they blend into the filling without overpowering it.
• Optional garnishes: Extra bacon bits, pickled beans, asparagus tips, tiny shrimp, smoked paprika, or a sprinkle of celery salt all make these feel like a loaded Caesar in snack form.

How to Make Caesar Stuffed Celery

• Step One: Wash and cut celery into sticks. Pat dry well so the filling sticks.
• Step Two: In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and mayo with an electric mixer until smooth.
• Step Three: Mix in Clamato juice, Worcestershire, horseradish, hot sauce, celery salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Taste and adjust. This is where you can make it spicier or more tangy.
• Step Four: Stir in bacon and green onions.
• Step Five: Spoon or pipe the mixture into each celery stick.
• Step Six: Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
• Step Seven: Top with extra bacon bits, a tiny shrimp, or even a little pickled bean for that true Caesar garnish vibe.

Variations and Substitutions

• Make it spicier: Add extra hot sauce, more horseradish, or a pinch of cayenne pepper if you like your Caesars with a kick.
• Keep it mild: Use 1 teaspoon of horseradish and go easy on the hot sauce. You can always add more after tasting the filling.
• Try different bacon: Regular cooked bacon is delicious, but you can also use turkey bacon or real bacon bits in a pinch.
• Add tiny shrimp: Top each celery stick with a small cooked shrimp for a loaded Caesar appetizer feel. It makes them look extra fun for parties.
• Use pickled garnishes: Pickled beans, asparagus tips, or even a tiny piece of pickle are perfect if you love that briny Caesar garnish flavor.
• Lighten it up: Use light cream cheese and light mayo for a slightly lighter filling. The texture may be a bit softer, so chill it well before serving.
• Make it vegetarian: Leave out the bacon and add extra green onions, finely chopped pickled beans, or smoked paprika for flavor. Just keep in mind that Clamato contains clam broth, so use a tomato-based substitute if you need it to be fully vegetarian.
• Swap the Clamato: If you don’t have Clamato, use tomato juice with a squeeze of lemon or lime, a dash of Worcestershire, celery salt, and a tiny splash of pickle juice to give it a similar savory, tangy flavor.

Storage Instructions

• Refrigerator: Store Caesar Stuffed Celery in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The celery will soften a bit the longer it sits, so they’re best enjoyed the day they’re made.
• Make-ahead: You can make the filling up to 2 days in advance and keep it covered in the fridge. For the best texture, wait to fill the celery until a few hours before serving.
• Freezer: I don’t recommend freezing these. Cream cheese can turn grainy after thawing, and the celery will lose its crisp crunch.
• Serving leftovers: If the filling looks a little softer after sitting, that’s normal. Give the celery a quick blot with a paper towel if needed, and add fresh garnishes right before serving.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Choose wider celery stalks: The outer stalks are usually better for stuffing because they have more room for the filling.
• Trim them evenly: Cut the celery into similar-sized pieces so they look nicer on a platter and are easier to grab.
• Use a hand mixer: Beating the cream cheese and mayo together first helps the filling get light, smooth, and easier to fill.
• Taste before filling: Caesar flavor is personal. Taste the filling before spooning it into the celery and adjust the heat, tang, or saltiness to your liking.
• Chop the mix-ins small: Finely chopped bacon and green onions make the filling easier to pipe and give every bite a little bit of everything.
• Chill before serving: Even a short chill helps the filling firm up and makes the flavors taste better together.
• Serve on a chilled platter: If you’re setting these out for a party, a cold platter helps keep them fresh a little longer.
• Garnish right before serving: Add the shrimp, pickled beans, bacon bits, or extra celery salt at the end to keep everything looking fresh and pretty.

Must-Try Appetizers

• Ham and Pickle Roll Ups
• French Onion Stuffed Mushrooms
• Cheese Stuffed Jalapenos

Get our FREE
e-cookbook

I want it!

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.