How To Preserve & Store Fresh Parsley

Storing parsley is a great way to preserve your garden fresh harvest. There are a few different methods you can try. In this post, you’ll learn all you need to know in order to safely preserve parsley, so you can keep it to use year round.

Whether from your garden or the grocery store, it’s easy to preserve and store fresh parsley for later use.

Preserving it in a variety of ways means that you will have exactly what you need, no matter what dish you might be making.

There are several different methods that you can use to preserve parsley. Below I will walk you through all of the necessary steps for each one.

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How Long Does Parsley Last?

Parsley lasts for 7-10 days in the fridge. It can last longer if you place it into a vase of water before storing it in the refrigerator or on the counter.

But when you used one of the longer term preservation methods below, it will last and keep its flavor for at least a year.

Preparing to preserve fresh parsley

How To Keep Parsley Fresh

There are a couple of different methods for storing fresh parsley so that it will last as long as possible. You can pick the method that works best for your needs, or experiment with more than one.

Storing Parsley In Water

One great way to make it last longer is to store parsley in a glass of water. You can either keep it on the counter, and treat it like a vase of flowers, or place it in the refrigerator.

Putting it into water like this will make it last several days longer than it would if it were wrapped in a plastic bag in the fridge.

Keep it out of direct sun, and protect it from heat. Don’t cover it. Change the water every few days once it starts getting cloudy, and snip off the bottoms of the stems to refresh it.

Related Post: How To Grow Parsley At Home

Storing fresh parsley in water

How To Store Parsley In The Fridge

Parsley can last for a few weeks in the fridge, if you do it correctly. It will keep several days in a plastic bag, as long as the leaves aren’t wet.

If you need it to last longer, then you can store it like you would your salad greens. Simply pack the stems and leaves loosely in a plastic container, and put them into the refrigerator.

Sometimes I’ll just leave it right in my salad spinner after bringing it in from the garden. An herb keeper also works great, and it takes up less room in the fridge.

Storing parsley in the fridge

Preserving & Storing Parsley Long Term

If you only need to store parsley for a short time, then you can keep it in the fridge. But if you want it to last through the winter, then you’ll need to use one of the methods below to preserve it for later use.

How To Dry Parsley

Drying herbs is simple, and a great way to preserve parsley. You can do it using a dehydrator, a warm oven, the microwave, or by laying it out on a drying rack.

Once it’s ready, put the whole sprigs into a sealed container, or crush it up and put it in a spice jar. A mini food processor or an herb grinder makes crushing it quick and easy.

Keeping dried parsley in a spice jar and a baggie

How To Freeze Parsley

Freezing herbs helps them retain their flavor better, and it’s one of the best ways to store parsley. You can simply toss the fresh sprigs into a freezer bag.

If the leaves aren’t dry enough, they can clump together in large chunks using this method. So, if you don’t want that to happen, flash freeze it first.

Simply lay the sprigs on a cookie sheet, and freeze them for 10-20 minutes before putting them into a storage container or baggie. This will keep them from sticking together once they’re frozen.

Flash freezing parsley leaves

Making Pesto

There’s nothing better than garden fresh pesto, and it’s easy to make with any type of herb you want. It is delicious, and freezes very well too.

Just combine parsley and your favorite pesto ingredients, and mix it all together in a food processor until smooth.

Preserving Parsley In Oil

I have a few favorite recipes that call for parsley, so I also like to preserve some in the necessary portions to make it super easy to just drop it in as I’m cooking.

To do this, you can use herb freezer trays or a mini ice cube tray, and measure out to the exact amount you need. Simply chop the leaves and stems, and place them into the trays.

Then fill them with olive oil, and cover with plastic wrap. Put them into the freezer overnight, then pop them into baggies for storing.

Preserving parsley in olive oil

FAQs About Storing Parsley

Below are a few of the most frequently asked questions about preserving and storing parsley. If you can’t find your answer here, ask it in the comments below.

What is the best way to preserve parsley?

The best way to preserve parsley really depends on how you want to use it later on. I like to use a combo of each of the methods above so I have some on hand for any recipe.

Does stored parsley expire?

No, when properly stored, parsley does not expire. However, it will start to lose its flavor over time. It can keep for several years, but it will lose some of its potency after the first year. So it’s best to use it up or replenish your stock annually.

Preserving and storing parsley that you grew in your garden or bought at the store is simple. It’s fun to experiment with the different methods, and see which you prefer.

More About Food Preservation

Share your tips or preferred methods for storing parsley in the comments section below.