If you grow your own parsley or just had a basket of parsley dropped over by your neighbor, there are so many things you can do with it!
For one, you can make fresh parsley pasta or parsley tea. If you still have any leftovers, dry them! Drying parsley is the best way to preserve it and make it last longer.
So, just how do you dry parsley? Let’s look at three ways of drying out parsley at home:
Step 1. Wash and spread
The first step is to wash parsley in cold water, then pick out the woody stem, separate the tender leaves and chop the parsley into 1/4″ pieces.
Next, blanch the parsley in boiling water for 20 to 30 seconds. Place the brown paper on a baking tray and spread the parsley leaves across the tray.
Ensure they are kept flat and are evenly spaced out. Make sure parsley clumps are not sticking to one another.
Step 2. Pop parsley in the oven
Turn your oven on to the lowest possible setting and dry the parsley for 2 to 4 hours. However, the exact time for the parsley to dry should vary based on the altitude of humidity in your area.
As it is, you should keep an eye on it. You’ll know it’s ready when it crumbles in your fingers.
Step 3. Crush and store
Take the dried parsley leaves and crush them using a mortar and pestle. Remove and discard any stalks. Place the leaves in a glass jar with an airtight lid and store them in a cool, dark, and dry place.
2. Air drying parsley
Air drying parsley is another easy method, even though it takes much longer. To air-dry parsley, follow these steps:
Step 1. Gather tender parsley bundles
Gather parsley bundles at their most tender point, which is early in the morning. Keep the bundles reasonably loose so that air can circulate the leaves as they dry. You can make bundles as big as your hand, or you can keep the bundles smaller if you wish.
Step 2. Secure bundles with rubber bands
Use rubber bands to secure the parsley’s stems, letting the larger, leafier portion fan out while it dries. Don’t tie it too tightly; otherwise, the air will not circulate.
Step 3. Store in brown paper bags for two weeks
Storing the parsley bundles in bags will prevent leaves from getting dusty and will prevent sunlight from bleaching the color away.
It would also be best to cut up some holes in the bags to allow air circulation so the bundles stay nice and dry. Store the bags in a cool, dry place with good air circulation.
Step 4. Remove, crush and store
After two weeks, remove bundles from the bags and get cut off the woody stems. Crush the dried parsley leaves in a mortar and pestle and store them in an airtight glass container in a cool, dark, and dry place.
3. Microwaving parsley
Lastly, you can dry out parsley by dehydrating it in a microwave. However, this method is not recommended as it can dry out your leaves quickly and almost burn them without evenly drying them.
Step 1. Wash parsley leaves
Wash your leaves and clean them thoroughly.
Step 2. Microwave!
Spread your thoroughly cleaned leaves on a paper plate in a single layer and microwave for a minute or two. Stand guard and watch. If they start to burn or if you notice smoke, take them out immediately.
Step 3. Crush and store
Crush dried parsley leaves in a mortar and pestle and store in an airtight glass container in a cool, dry, and dark place.
What Is the best way to dry parsley?
Air drying parsley is the best way to dry parsley since this method doesn’t require heat, nor does it involve drying out parsley at high temperatures.
Air drying dries parsley at low temperatures. This preserves the oils and essential vitamins in the herb; so when you consume air-dried parsley, your body will get the nutrients it needs! Drying parsley naturally also makes it last longer.
How to store dried parsley leaves
For dried parsley or any other dried herb, use a glass container for storage. That’s because, unlike metal or plastic, glass will not affect the flavor of the herbs.
A few months later, they will taste as good as they did in the beginning. Mason jars are the best option since they also look good, but you can use any empty glass container with an airtight lid
How long does dried parsley last?
Dried parsley leaves can last for two to three years, that’s if and when they’re stored in a glass container with an airtight lid. If they’re air-dried and stored in their natural form, they last even longer, around three to four years.
The bottom line
Now that you know how to dry parsley leaves, get in your kitchen and get prepping! There’s no match for home-dried herbs that leave an aromatic smell and make your meals taste 100% delicious! Happy cooking!
How to dry parsley
Here’s how you can dry parsley the best way possible.
Ingredients
- Tender parsley bundles
- Rubber bands
- Brown paper bags
- Mortar and pestle
- Airtight glass container
Instructions
- Choose “air-drying parsley” as your method
- Gather parsley bundles at their most tender point, which is early in the morning. Keep the bundles reasonably loose so that air can circulate the leaves as they dry. You can make bundles as big as your hand, or you can keep the bundles smaller if you wish.
- Use rubber bands to secure the parsley's stems, letting the larger, leafier portion fan out while it dries. Don't tie it too tightly; otherwise, the air will not circulate.
- Storing the parsley bundles in bags will prevent leaves from getting dusty and will prevent sunlight from bleaching the color away.
- It would also be best to cut up some holes in the bags to allow air circulation so the bundles stay nice and dry. Store the bags in a cool, dry place with good air circulation.
- After two weeks, remove bundles from the bags and get cut off the woody stems. Crush the dried parsley leaves in a mortar and pestle and store them in an airtight glass container in a cool, dark, and dry place.