Celery Mignonette

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Vivid and zesty, the classic mignonette sauce gets an update with a refreshing yet celery-infused vinegar and crisp diced celery.

Celery Mignonette
Photo:

Chris Simpson / FOOD STYLING by JULIAN HENSARLING / PROP STYLING by THOM DRIVER

Active Time:
20 mins
Chill Time:
7 days
Total Time:
7 days 1 hr 20 mins
Servings:
12

In this version of a mignonette sauce by Joshua Pinsky of Penny in New York City, vinegar and chopped celery leaves are infused for a week to create a refreshing note, while diced celery and shallots lend crisp, crunchy textures to the finished sauce. The fresh flavors of celery paired with tangy vinegar balance with the creamy, briny oysters. Dice the celery slightly larger than the shallot to add a crisper texture to the sauce. For effortlessly simple upgrades to the classic mignonette, try adding herbs, spices, lemon peels, or jalapeño to the celery-infused vinegar. Add finely diced apple to the finished sauce for a sweet flourish (see “Variations,” below).

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is mignonette sauce?

    A mignonette sauce is a condiment consisting of chopped shallots and whole black peppercorns in vinegar and a traditional accompaniment to oysters. Chef Theophile Kieffer is credited with first creating the sauce in the 1930s when he served it to guests at the Sherry Netherland Hotel in New York. 

  • What else can you serve with mignonette?

    While mignonette is traditionally served with oysters, it's also a perfect pairing for other seafood, such as shrimp or clams.

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

Add celery pieces to the Mignonette right before serving if you want the celery to stay bright green and crunchy. Find Keepwell Vinegar’s celery vinegar online at keepwellvinegar.com.

Make ahead

Mignonette can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for two to three days.

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Ingredients

Celery Vinegar

  • 1 cup chopped celery leaves and tender heart

  • 1 cup white wine vinegar or Champagne vinegar

Celery Mignonette

  • 1 cup Celery Vinegar or Keepwell Vinegar Celery Leaf Vinegar

  • 1/2 cup finely chopped celery

  • 1/2 cup finely minced shallot

Directions

  1. Make the celery vinegar

    Place celery in a 1-pint jar, and add vinegar. Secure with a lid, and let stand in refrigerator for 1 week. After 1 week, strain mixture; discard celery.

  2. Make the mignonette

    Stir together celery vinegar, celery, and shallot in a small bowl. Cover and chill in refrigerator until flavors infuse, about 1 hour. Serve chilled.

Originally appeared in Food & Wine magazine, December 2024 / January 2025

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