How To Store Parsley To Keep It Fresh

This is not your typical “toss it in the fridge” kind of refrigerating. There are a few tips and tricks that will go a long way that most have no idea about when learning how to store parsley in the fridge. 

1. Damp Paper Towel Method

Wash the parsley and dab it dry with a paper towel. Once the paper towel is damp, wrap the dry parsley with it. Avoid wrapping it too tight, as the parsley needs air circulation.  

Place the wrapped parsley in a resealable plastic bag large enough to prevent stuffing. Then seal the bag after squeezing out all the air, and store it in the drawers of your refrigerator. This method helps to keep the parsley fresh for about 7 to 10 days.

2. Plastic Bag Method

After washing and drying the parsley, store it in a resealable plastic bag and squeeze out the air as much as possible to reduce the oxidation. Then, seal the plastic bag shut and store it in the fridge.

This method helps to keep parsley fresh for about 7 days. However, you might need to monitor for moisture that speeds up spoilage. Use it properly according to guidance, and watch out for things that could crush and damage the parsley.

3. Jar with Water

First, clean the parsley under cold water to remove dirt. Once it is clean, shake it well or use a salad spinner to dry the parsley.

Trim the ends of the parsley stems and remove the roots, if any. Now place the trimmed parsley stems in a clean jar or glass, adding about 1 inch of water like a flower bouquet.

After that, cover the parsley and jar loosely with a plastic bag or wrap, leaving some gaps for airflow, and store the entire thing in the refrigerator. Clean the jar and replace the water every two to three days to prevent bacteria. 

4. Herb Keeper Method

This method is for people wondering how to keep fresh parsley in herb keeper or who do not know how to use it. Most herb keepers have a water line mark that requires users to fill it with water till the mark. Once you have filled it with water, put your clean and dried parsley inside and lose the lids,

Place the contained parsley in your fridge shelves upright to prevent the water from leaking, and remember to replace the water when it runs out. 

Your fridge is packed, and you want to know how to keep parsley fresh in the freezer. There are four methods available. The color and texture of frozen parsley might not be as great as refrigerating, but it still adds tons of flavor to dishes. 

5. Freezing

As usual, start with cleaned parsley. Pluck the leaves from the stems and finely chop the parsley-like you do for chimichurri recipes. Spread the chopped parsley on a baking tray covered with parchment paper.

Put the baking tray in the freezer for an hour or two. After that, transfer the frozen parsley to an airtight container, jar, or freezer bag and store it in the freezer. This method helps to keep parsley edible for about 6 months.

6. Flash Freeze

Unlike the method above, you do not have to chop the parsley for this method. Place the freshly washed parsley on a baking sheet with parchment paper and put the baking sheet into the freezer until the parsley solidifies.

Transfer the frozen parsley into an airtight container, jar, or freezer bag by squeezing the air out as much as possible. This method helps preserve the parsley for about six months.

7. Water Cubes

Get your ice cube tray ready for this one. Start by washing the fresh parsley and then chop the parsley into small pieces. Pack the chopped parsley into each compartment of the tray partially and fill with water till the brim. 

Now, freeze the parsley cubes until they are solid. Once frozen, pop the cubes out of the tray and put them into the freezer bag. This way, you can use the cubes conveniently whenever you need them.

8. Olive Oil Cubes

If you are wondering how do i store fresh parsley while keeping most of its flavor, your answer is olive oil cubes. You store the parsley in the same manner as the method above. The only difference is you replace the water with olive oil.

So, like the method above, start by chopping the parsley leaves into small pieces after washing and drying them. Then, place the parsley pieces into the ice cube tray, filling each compartment with olive oil. Do this in a 50-50 manner where the parsley content is half, and the remaining half is olive oil. Freeze it and then transfer the cubes into a freeze bag.

If freezing is not a method you prefer and are wondering how to store fresh parsley dry, there are many ways to dry parsley. But to make it easier, we have listed four uncomplicated options.

You do not need too much nor need special equipment or techniques. The parcels dried and stored using these methods retain their color and flavor for years.

9. Air Drying

Firstly, gather the small bunches of parsley and then tie them with the help of a kitchen string. Hang the bunches, placing them upside down in a warm, dry, and well-vaporated area where direct sunlight is absent. Make the parsley completely dry.

This drying process usually takes up to one or more weeks, depending on the humidity. Once the parsley is dried, crumble the leaves with your hands and store them in an airtight container away from direct sunlight. The air-dried parsley can last a year.

10. Oven Drying

Oven drying is done by using the regular oven available in the kitchen at your home. First, set your oven to its lowest setting, around 170°F. Then, place the washed and dried parsley on a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Put the baking sheet inside the oven by keeping the door slightly open. That will help the moisture to escape. Dry the parsley for 2-4 hours, checking it every time until it gets fry and becomes brittle. Store the dried parsley after drying.

11. Microwave Drying

Wash and dry the parsley with clean water. Make sure that it is dry before putting it into a microwave. Then, put the dried parsley between the two paper towels on a microwave-safe plate. Keep microwave settings high for about 30 sec.

Check the parsley inside the microwave from time to time. Repeat the process until the parsley becomes dry and brittle in touch. Crumble the dried parsley using your hands and store it in an airtight jar. This method helps to sustain the flavor of parsley for 6 months.

12. Dehydrator Drying

In the first step, keep the washed and dried parsley on dehydrator trays with parchment paper. Set the dehydrator to 95°F to 115°F and dehydrate for 4 to 8 hours. The duration should depend on the machine and the moisture available on the parsley.

Then, check the parsley from time to time to make sure it is properly dried. It needs to crumble effortlessly when dried. Store the dried parsley in an airtight container, keeping it in a cool and dry place. This method helps retain the color and flavor of parsley for a year.

Proper storage is crucial if you want to learn how to preserve parsley. You can get the best out of the dried parsley if you store them according to the instructions mentioned below.

Vacuum-sealed Container

Do not get confused with the name. In simple words, you should use jars, bags, or containers with airtight seals. These can shield air exposure that can cause the jars to lose flavor and become brittle over time.

You might want to choose a glass jar for the best result. The reusable plastic bag may not provide a complete seal against moisture. Fill the container tightly and label it to keep track of the batches.

Store in Cool and Dry Place

After drying the parsley and placing it in an airtight container, look for a cool and dark corner in the cupboard or pantry. These places keep direct sunlight and heat away. They provide the required amount of light and heat for dried parsley.

Also, refrigeration can increase shelf life, but it is not ideal for dried parsley. Cold temperatures and changing humidity in the refrigerator can cause them to lose flavor.

Maintain The Cool Temperature

The cool temperature and low humidity levels are perfect for storing dried parsley. Heat can cause a loss of flavor. Try to put them away from direct sunlight and maintain a cool temperature.

A good option would be to store them in a basement, as these places have cool temperatures and stable humidity levels. Keep the temperature consistent for the parsley throughout.

Look Out if the Parsley is Dried

Regularly checking the dried parsley is a must. The dried and dehydrated texture is a sign of dried parsley. When you squeeze this dried parsley, it should crumble almost into a powder.

Moisture can cause mold growth and spoilage to the dried parsley. For better results, it is recommended to use a fast drying method by applying dehydrated or oven.

Check for Signs of Spoilage

Before you store them, you are also required to check their quality. Even after proper drying, the dried parsley is at risk of spoilage. Look out for signs of moisture and mold development in the container or on the parsley.

If there are any insect activities, discard this parsley. Smell the parsley; if they have a potent, off-putting odor, discard them. Stored parsley can last more than a year, but make sure their storage conditions remain ideal.

The process of storing parsley aims to preserve it. When you follow the steps mentioned above, you will have parsley to use for an extended period, but now comes the question; How long can we expect to stay intact?

Generally, their quality can last weeks, months, or a year, depending on the method used. However, the ideal conditions can help to keep them for years or more. The key factors that affect their shelf life are moisture, light, and air exposure.

Storage Tips

• The first that needs to be done is to keep them in a place with low humidity, somewhere dry and cool, as these are the conditions required for preservation.
• Store them in an airtight container away from direct sunlight to help maintain their potency.
• The second thing to do is use glass jars or airtight plastic containers sealed with lids. These protect dried peppers from unwanted air and humidity.
• Label and date the container to indicate the date of storage. This will help you track their freshness and remind you to use them within their optimal period, around 6 months to a year.

Are Stored Parsley Tastier Than Fresh?

It depends on what you are making. The same can be said for the difference between fresh dill and dried dill. Both are very subtle and require large amounts when dried but are more consistent in recipes requiring dried dill and parsley. You would notice the difference in the outcome when making a ranch dressing.

Dried parsley is an ingredient in many recipes. The leaves are crushed in the palm of your hand, increasing its flavor infusion, and when used fresh, it will impart its signature “green grass” flavor. Also, using fresh parsley in cold prepared foods, if not thoroughly washed, can increase the chances of microbial growth, which can shorten the shelf life of your food compared to ones made with dried parsley.

It is a common herb used to flavor food in most household kitchens, which is why many people also plant and grow parsley in their backyard. The leafy green plant might be small, but it is powerful enough to be used in various recipes, from tabbouleh and pesto to pizza and tempura.

There are 3 main varieties of parsley:

• Curled leaf parsley
• Flat-leaf parsley
• Hamburg parsley

Most herbs, when dried, undergo a complete concentration process flavor-wise. That is not the case with parsley. Fresh and dried parsley have major flavor differences. Both dried and fresh conditions are different forms of parsley. It is essential to know about their differences.

The dried form of parsley is similar to fresh ones, with additional flavor and smell. But fresh parsley adds a fresh aroma to any dish you cook. Parsley is better when fresh as the freshness and greenery color add extra color and flavor to your food.

Nutritional Values

Unlike many other herbs and spices, the nutritional quotient of parsley remains the same in dry and fresh forms. They are rich in many essential nutrients and antioxidants responsible for some impressive health benefits. 

Parsley mostly undergoes the drying process after the harvest. As a result, most of their nutrients can be preserved.

Uses 

You can use fresh parsley to make chimichurri sauce as well. Blend fresh parsley with garlic, olive oil, cilantro, and voila! Use this sauce as a dipping sauce or even as a marinade.

Dried parsley can be used in boiled, braised meat-based dishes. You can also use dried parsley to make oven-baked herbed vegetables. An added advantage of dried parsley is the long cooking hours. The nutrition and taste are not compromised even on high heat.