Best Method to Dry Parsley

Parsley is a well-known herb for its vivid green color and distinct flavor, thus being an important herb that is commonly used in many recipes. If you end up with a lot of fresh parsley to use, you will need to preserve the parsley by drying it to retain both its flavor and nutritional value for future utilization. In this guide, we will delve into the best method to dry parsley successfully and discover various ways of drying like dehydrating parsley in the dehydrator, dehydrating parsley in oven, and more ways, aiming to keep tasty and healthy parsley all year round.

Why Dry Parsley? 

1. Available All Year Round
   Parsley is a biennial plant, which means that it completes its life cycle in two years. In the first year, the plant grows its leaves. In the second year, the plant starts to form flowers and seeds, meaning its death and the requirement of a new plant seeding. Considering this, parsley is often not available in particular seasons of the year, and here comes the urgency of discovering the best method to dry parsley to rescue the situation.

3. Extended Shelf-life
   Fresh parsley’s shelf-life is relatively short (1-2 weeks), while dried parsley can be used for even one year, allowing you to enjoy parsley in your food ingredients all year.
4. Convenient to Store
   Additionally, dried parsley is convenient to store in containers and small spaces and can be readily used in soups, stews, sauces, and other recipes without losing its potency.

Best Method to Dry Parsley
1) Air-Drying Method

Air drying is one of the simplest and most traditional methods for drying parsley. Here’s how to do it:

1. Remove Excess Moisture
   Wash off the dirt or debris on parsley leaves by rinsing them under cool running water. Shake off the excess water and carefully dry it using some paper towels.
2. Bundle Parsley Stems
   Gather parsley stems into small bundles and tie them up with a rubber band or kitchen twine.
3. Hang to Dry
   Hang the parsley bundles upside-down in a dry and airy area at moderate temperature. Make sure the spot is not in direct sunlight. For instance, it could be a well-ventilated kitchen or pantry.
4. Regular Checking
   Regularly check the parsley to guarantee that it’s drying evenly by rotating both sides of the bundle frequently.
5. Store Dried Parsley
   Once the parsley leaves are dry and brittle to the touch, take them off the stems and store them in an airtight container in a cool and dark place.

2) Dehydrating Parsley in Oven

Dehydrating Parsley in the oven is a quicker substitute for the air-drying method.

Here’s how to dry parsley in the oven:

1. Prepare Parsley

Remove parsley leaves from the stem then rinse and dry them as shown in the previous air-drying method.

2. Preheat Oven

Before starting dehydrating parsley in the oven, you should preheat your oven to the lowest possible temperature, which usually is about 170°F (76°C).

3. Arrange on the Baking Sheet

Arrange the parsley leaves into a single layer of baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

4. Bake and Monitor

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and have the door just slightly ajar to pull out moisture. Bake the parsley for 20 minutes or until it becomes crispy and crumbles easily. Sometimes you may need to put them for another 20 minutes more than one time to get the desired crumble. Don’t forget to check the parsley regularly every 10 minutes to ensure it doesn’t burn.

5. Cool and Store

After dehydrating the parsley in the oven, take off the parsley leaves from the oven and let them cool down. Once cooled, put the parsley into an air-tight container for storage.

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3) Dehydrating Parsley in Dehydrator

You could try dehydrating parsley in dehydrator if you have a food dehydrator and it is the simplest way to dehydrate it.

To dry parsley in dehydrator, follow these steps:

1. Prepare Parsley Leaves

Before dehydrating parsley in dehydrator, clean and dry fresh parsley well after cutting leaves from the stem.

2. Place on a dehydration tray

Spread parsley leaves in a single layer in the trays of the food dehydrator making sure that they are not overlapping with enough space.

3. Set Temperature

Set the dehydrator’s temperature for herbs at a suitable level, about 95°F (35°C) – 115°F (46°C). Sometimes you may require a higher or lower temperature for proper dehydrating parsley in dehydrator, depending on the drying time.

4. Dry Parsley Leaves

To complete the process of dehydrating parsley in dehydrator, dehydrate it for 1-3 hours, taking into account the moisture content and thickness of the leaves. Sometimes it can take longer time (6 hours).

5. Check for Dryness

At the end of the time, check to see if the parsley is dried. Parsley leaves texture should be slightly crunchy and crumble easily as you crush it between your fingers.

6. Cool and Store

After the parsley has dried completely, then you should let it cool, put it into an airtight container, and store it.

4) Dehydrating Parsley in Microwave

To dry parsley in the microwave is a fast method that preserves the color and flavor of parsley. Here’s how to do it:

1. Prepare Parsley

Wash and dry fresh parsley leaves well.

2. Arrange on Paper Towels

Lay the parsley leaves out on a microwave-safe plate, making sure they’re arranged in a single layer and lined with some paper towels.

3. Microwave Parsley

Microwave parsley leaves on high power in 30-second intervals, checking for dryness between each interval. The specific time required for this process, however, will vary depending on the wattage of your microwave, which may be 2 to 4 minutes.

4. Check for Dryness

Between each interval, collect a parsley sample and test for dryness. It should feel brittle and easily break.  Take the crumble leaves out of the microwave, while rotating other non-crumble leaves, and put them again in the microwave until they have been dried.

5. Cool and Store

After being dried, wait for the parsley to cool down completely and then pack it into an air-tight container to be stored for usage.

5) Freeze-Drying Method

The freeze-drying method is known as one of the best preservation ways that can keep the flavor and color of the parsley. Here’s how to freeze-dry parsley:

1. Prepare Parsley

Clean and completely dry fresh parsley leaves.

2. Arrange on the Baking Sheet

Spread the parsley leaves in a single layer on a baking sheet that is lined with parchment paper.

3. Freeze Parsley

Place the baking sheet in the freezer and leave it there until the parsley is completely solid, generally 1-2 hours.

4. Refilling into a Freezer Bag

After freezing, store the leaves in freezer-safe bags or containers making sure all air is removed before sealing.

5. Store in Freezer

Put the sealed pouch or container in the freezer for long-term storage.

6) Paper Bag Method

One way to find the best method to dry parsley is to try the paper bag technique, which is a straightforward, yet potent method for drying parsley in the house. Here’s how to dry parsley in a paper bag:

1. Prepare Parsley 

Make sure to wash and clean parsley leaves well.

2. Place Parsley Leaves in a Paper Bag

The parsley leaves should be placed in a single layer inside a paper bag, with careful separations to avoid overcrowding.

3. Place It In Dry Place

Close the bag lightly and place it in a dry and warm place far from direct sunshine. 

4. Regular Checking

Check your parsley occasionally to see if it is dry and crumbly as it usually takes 1-2 weeks to be completely dried.

5 Ways to Use Dried Parsley

1. Seasoning Ingredient

Sprinkle dry parsley over roasted vegetables, grilled meats, or pasta dishes as it will add a flavor punch of herbal taste to any dish.

2. Enhancing Soup and Stew

Take the savory soups and the stews to the next level by sprinkling a pinch of dry parsley during the cooking cycle. 

3. Aromatic Rice Blend

Infuse cooked rice or grains with dry parsley for a delightful side dish that will provide perfect harmony with various mains.

4. Custom Seasoning Blends

Parsley can be combined with other dry seasonings to create personalized mixtures. 

5. Flavorful Marinades

Spice up your marinades for the meats, poultry, or tofu by adding dry parsley. Its herbal notes would give you an irresistible flavored protein meal.

How to Store Dry Parsley?

After discovering the best method to dry parsley, you should properly store dry parsley. First, transfer the dried parsley to an airtight container to make sure no moisture can go in. Keep the container in a cool, dark place away from the direct sunlight, since light exposure can degrade the quality of the container during storage. Besides that, do not keep it near heat sources or humidity as this will make it decompose faster. These tips will help you preserve the flavor and aroma of the dry parsley. 

How long does Dried Parsley Last?

Dry parsley can last up to one year if stored properly in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture.

Conclusion

Drying parsley is a practical solution for keeping parsley convenient for later use. Whichever process of dehydrating parsley in dehydrator, dehydrating parsley in oven, or freeze drying you choose, they each have their advantages. Try out a lot of different drying methods just to discover the best method to dry parsley for you and your cooking style. Equipped with these 6 methods, you will never again face a lack of parsley on your dining table.

FAQs

1. What is the best way to dry fresh parsley?

While the best method to dry parsley depends on personal preferences, it is recommended to dry fresh parsley by hanging it upside down in a well-ventilated area with low humidity until it becomes brittle, or by using a food dehydrator.

2. Should parsley be washed before drying?

Yes, parsley should be washed before drying to remove any dirt or debris. After washing, pat it dry gently with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel before drying.

3. Is it better to dry or freeze parsley?

Both drying and freezing parsley are effective preservation methods, but freezing retains more of the herb’s fresh flavor and vibrant color, making it slightly a preferable option for long-term storage.

4. How do you dry parsley without turning it yellow?

To dry parsley without turning it yellow, gently wash and thoroughly dry the parsley, then hang it upside down in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight until completely dry.