How many times have you bought parsley and it eventually spoils since you only needed a little? Been there and done that. I started to grow my own but unfortunately, parsley doesn’t overwinter in my gardening zone. So, I decide to freeze the parsley so every time a recipe calls for fresh parsley, I am covered. It is so simply. Learn how you can have fresh parsley year round.
Usually around the end of October my parsley gets a good hair cut. (I am in gardening zone 6.) It normally doesn’t die until December when really cold weather sets in so I could conceivably give it another hair cut then.
***Remember, you don’t have to be a gardener to use this method. Anyone who buys fresh parsley at a farmer’s market or grocery store can use this method.***
How to Freeze Parsley
- Take two plastic freezer bags. I grab my used ones. Or you can cut the stems and create a log with one bag. I am a waste not type of girl so I create “bouquets.”
- Twist the freezer bags around the top and bottom of the bags.
- Secure the middle with a rubber band and put your bouquet in the freezer.
I normally make 2 bouquets for the winter. The rest of the parsley is dehydrated and stored in glass containers.
Any time a recipe calls for parsley, simply take out your bouquet and cut off what you need. If you want to include some of the stems, cut some from the top and some from the bottom.
Then wrap it back up and store.
It is that simple.
If you want to avoid using plastic, you can store the parsley as follows
- Add parsley to ice trays and add water. Store the ice cubes in a container.
- Pack them tightly in a glass jar. (I store my basil this way.)
- Or store it tightly in an air tight container.
Want more food waste-free ideas?
Join the Conversation:
How do you store parsley?
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Kathleen says
I chopped up my fresh herbs… sometime combine (for Italian or Mexican or single herbs.. in ice cube trays the pour Olive Oil to cover and then freeze.. when frozen pop out and bag.. so in my freezer I zip lock full of basil cubes, rosemary, sage, thyme, + and combine for Italian cooking.. just those them into the sauce.
Anna@Green Talk says
Kathleen, good idea. Anna
homebody says
Umm… is there a reason for needing *two* freezer bags for this? I put a large bunch, stems and all, into one gallon size bag, squeezed the air out, and tossed it in the freezer. Because the stems are long, the ‘bouquet’ had to be curved into a semi-circle to fit in the bag, but that doesn’t hurt the parsley.
When I need some, I open the bag, break off what I want, then re-seal the bag and toss it back in the freezer.
Anna@Green Talk says
Homebody, you are right. You really don’t need 2 bags. Anna
Lindsay says
Anna, does this technique work for cilantro too? I find the bundles are too big at the grocery store and I’d love to freeze some and use it in the future. Thanks in advance!
Anna@Green Talk says
Yep, Lindsay. Chives too.
Green Bean says
Okay, this is totally genius! I would bet that it would work with cilantro as well. Now that is an herb that I never seem to have on hand when I need it. Pinning.
Anna@Green Talk says
Green Bean, it would absolutely work for cilantro.
Betsy (Eco-novice) says
Wow, so simple! I can buy parsley nearly year round at my No. Ca. farmers markets, but I sometimes run out during the week and this seems like a really easy way to always have some around. May have to try for cilantro too. Pinning!
Annette Tracy says
I just recently got the “Herb Freezing Tray” from Pampered Chef so that I can conveniently store herbs like Cilantro in my freezer. I saw it recently for $.99 and it was so fresh!
Sara says
Love this idea. Our herbs are always going bad too quickly
linda spiker says
So good to know. Thank you. I always gave mine away because I didn’t know you could freeze it!
Lindsey Dietz says
Now I’m sad that I let my parsley freeze!
Megan stevens says
Cool! Great to know! Thanks, Anna. I LOVE parsley!
emily @ recipes to nourish says
Great idea! I love parsley, especially flat leaf.
Raia says
Great tip! Thanks so much for sharing them with us at Savoring Saturdays, Anna. 🙂 Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and hope to see you back at the party this weekend!