The adsorption of histidine-containing dipeptides (HCDPs) such as carnosine (Car) onto a Cu(II)-immobilized cellulosic chelating adsorbent (Cu-CF) was investigated with a view to recovering HCDPs from extracts of food waste. Car was effectively recovered using Cu-CF on the basis of metal affinity interactions. The adsorption rate onto Cu-CF was faster than that onto Cu(II)-immobilized polystyrene chelating adsorbent. The percentage of Car adsorbed onto Cu-CF was maximal under neutral or weakly basic conditions, without interference from coexisting salt, and histidine and HCDPs were selectively adsorbed over other amino acids. Car was selectively adsorbed onto Cu-CF from a model solution of the extract of eel guts, and Car adsorbed on Cu-CF was recovered using eluents such as acetic acid.