How to Store Parsley: 7 Secret Hacks to Keeping Parsley Fresh

Parsley is often used as a garnish in the culinary world to enhance flavors of your favorite dishes. While you only need a few leaves and sprigs to elevate your dish, it is commonly sold in bunch or bulks leaving you wondering, how to store your parsley properly. 

It is given that fresh parsley will look slouch and wilted especially if left unused. And so, prolonging its life is your best option. This way, you can still use it for your stuffed mushrooms or parsley chicken. In this article, we’ve listed seven secret hacks on how to store and keep your parsley fresh for the next time you hit the kitchen.

1. For this first method, you’ll need a mason jar or any glass jar you can put your parsley in.
2. Next, you need to fill your glass with tap water and place your fresh parsley in it, like you would for a bouquet of flowers.
3. Keep in mind that you don’t have to completely fill the glass jar with water. You can put just enough to submerge its roots and then store the fresh parsley in a cool, dry place away from too much heat and moisture.

If you’re looking for a sure way to prolong the life of your fresh parsley, then this will do the trick. However, know that there are claims that parsley leaves will still wilt and get mushy and moldy with this method. To avoid this, don’t wash your parsley. You can’t wash them until you are about to use them as the excess moisture will make the leaves mushy and slimy. Keep in mind that if you want this trick to work, do not leave the leaves and sprigs wet. Save this for when you’re finally putting them in the jar full of water.

With this method of preservation, you can try making any parsley recipe you so desire! You can try this delicious tarragon pesto to go with either pasta or bread.

This one is just like the first “bouquet” method, but the only difference is you use a ziplock bag or any bag to cover the whole herb. According to NC State University, the bag is for two things: to lock the moisture in and to avoid excess moisture and heat from going in. As mentioned earlier, too much moisture will make herbs slimy while too much heat will make them wilt.

The secret to this method is storing your parsley in a cool and dry place like the uncovered bouquet method. Though this one just ensures added protection.

This covered bouquet method is perfect for chilled calamari salad with lemon and parsley. The extra oomph of freshness that parsley brings is perfect during the hot season! After all, it is the time when you need a refreshing dish the most.

This is perhaps the most famous method online and in any household. To try this: 

1. Get a ziplock, a paper towel, and your parsley.
2. Gently wrap a bunch of parsley in the dry paper towel.
3. Put it in a ziplock bag and stow it in the fridge. You’re done!

Here, the paper towel acts as a paper bag just like in the covered bouquet method. Only, instead of locking the moisture in, the paper towel absorbs all the moisture that prevents the parsley from developing mold. Your parsley will come out as just the right garnish for this delicious cheeseburger casserole recipe!

READ ALSO: How to Store Cilantro So It Lasts Longer

The damp kitchen towel method is just as effective as the others, no matter how disconcerting a damp paper towel may sound. It’s quite tricky, though. For this method, you’ll need a paper towel that’s been wet and wrung out of excess moisture and a ziplock bag. Just repeat the steps from the covered paper towel method above and stow the precious parsley in the fridge.

Remember when we told you that too much moisture will make the parsley slimy and mushy? In this method, instead of adding too much moisture, we are preventing the parsley from wilting by giving it just the right amount of moisture so it can stay fresh.

With that said, remember that all you need is a damp, not wet, paper towel. This will give your parsley just enough moisture to retain its freshness. Now you can use this fresh parsley as a garnish for your yummy oyster omelette, paired perfectly with a steaming bowl of rice.

This is probably the easiest method listed here and a great hack for busy parents out there. No need to do anything elaborate at all: no washing or drying and cutting the roots. 

1. Get a bag and your freshly bought parsley from the market.
2. Put the parsley in a plastic bag.
3. Place it inside your fridge, and you’re done!

While it may sound like it won’t do much, this method is actually highly capable of giving you fresh herbs effectively. Some of the parsley leaves will still wilt, but considering how the method is totally fuss-free, we say this method is still a winner.

You can use your saved parsley from this method for your chopped chickpea salad!

For those who are not sure when to use their parsley and would like to keep it for a couple more weeks, this method is for you! Nothing preserves herbs, especially parsley, better than this freezing method.

Be warned though that this method takes time. So for those who are constantly on the clock, this method might not be the most ideal.

1. To start, wash your parsley, and make sure to remove any dirt that’s stuck to the sprigs.
2. Afterward, pat it dry with paper towels.
3. Then, put it in your favorite salad spinner to effectively remove any moisture.
4. For extra precaution to avoid freezer burn, dab it again with paper towels.
5. Finally, put the now-clean parsley in a ziplock bag and just roll them into a stick. Make sure to roll as tight as possible to let the air out of the bag.

This frozen method works like a charm for this tangy chimichurri recipe that’s loaded with parsley, cilantro, and oregano. Just put the frozen parsley sticks along with the rest of the ingredients in the food processor and you’re done.

If rolling parsley into sticks is too much of a task for you, you can also try this freezing method. It works with the same principle, with just the addition of olive oil. If you are also looking for ways to store your freshly-cut parsley, this hack will also work for you!

1. Proceed by washing your parsley as instructed in the frozen and rolled method, and then chop them as desired.
2. You can also pulse it in the food processor along with 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil or olive oil.
3. As a closing for this method, put a spoonful of the chopped parsley into each ice cube tray, press lightly, and then just pop it right in the freezer.

The frozen parsley cube method is perfect for soups and stews like this meatball tortellini soup or easy Irish stew that’s best served with bread and butter!

Recipes That Use Parsley

• Basil Parsley Pesto Recipe – Make a versatile sauce at home and try this basil parsley pesto! You can use this for pasta, barbecues, bread, pizza, or even soup. You can also enjoy the freshness and herby flavor by adding parsley to your usual basil pesto sauce. 
• Parmesan Parsley Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe – If you are looking for appetizers or light courses recipe, then these stuffed mushrooms are the best option for you! Each mushroom cap is stuffed with a mixture of parmesan and parsley, giving you an herby and cheesy flavor in every bite.  
• Parsley Potatoes Recipe – Toss your regular potatoes into melted butter and chopped parsley for an ultimate side dish! Bite into soft and tender potatoes and enjoy hints of herbs from the fresh parsley added. 
• Fettuccine Alfredo (Macaroni Grill Copycat) Recipe – What’s a pasta serving without a garnish of parsley? This fettuccine alfredo gives off a wonderful creamy flavor, complemented by parsley on top. 
• Grandma’s German Potato Salad Recipe – This classic German potato is an easy recipe loaded with lots of flavors from mixing bacon, onion, red wine vinegar, and parsley. It’s simple but flavorful. Perfect to enjoy on a summer barbecue! 

How to Store Parsley: Different Methods for Different Needs and Recipes

Every hack on how to store parsley on this list is effective and useful in keeping your parsley fresh. It’s just a matter of what method suits your recipe the best.

If being busy is your second nature, you can try the plastic grocery bag method to save time. If you have time, try the rolled method and frozen cube method which are perfect for stews and soups!

Although, we highly suggest that you try every method and see for yourself what suits your culinary needs.