Have a lot of parsley growing in the garden? Or maybe you have the nicest neighbor gardener who keeps leaving parsley on your doorstep? Or maybe you got a deal on it at the grocery store? Don’t let that parsley go to waste. First, make some fresh parsley pasta, make parsley basil pesto (and freeze it!), then make some parsley tea, and whatever is left, dry it! Homemade dried parsley is easy to make, and will last for years in your pantry.
You have 3 ways to dry parsley:
Now let’s get drying! Never let fresh herbs go to waste!
Should I wash my parsley before drying it?
Most parsley doesn’t need to be washed if you’re picking it straight from the garden and not using any chemical sprays. All I do is give it a little shake to remove any dirt or debris that might be on it. If by chance your parsley is dirty or muddy, then wash your parsley under cold running water, or wash in a salad spinner (my favorite way to clean veggies and herbs). Place on a towel overnight and allow to dry completely before moving on to drying in the oven.
How to Dry Parsley in the Oven
Preheat oven to 170 F. If your oven only goes down to 180F that’s ok too. Place parsley on a baking sheet, careful not to overlap any of the leaves. You will be drying the entire parsley stem and leaf, I find this method less time consuming than removing individual leaves. Put in the oven for 20 minutes, checking it reguarly to make sure it does not burn. After 20 minutes, check the leaves to see if they are dry and crumble easily. If they are not dried yet, add 5 minutes. Check again. Repeat until leaves are completely dry. Remove from oven. Place stem over bowl and gently crumble the leaves with your fingers. Continue until all the parsley leaves are crumbled. Compost the stems that are left. Store dried parsley in glass jars in a cool, dry cabinet.
How long does dried parsley last?
If properly stored in a cool, dry location, dried parsley will last 2-3 years. If ever unsure, take some in your hand and rub it together with your fingers. If the parsley smell is still strong, then it’s ok to use.
How to Dry Other Herbs & Vegetables
How to Dry Basil in the OvenHow to Dry Oregano in 1 HourHow to Make Onion PowderHow to Make Tomato Powder Out of Tomato SkinsHow to Make Mint TeaChili Powder Recipe Pin for later:
