Quick Answer: How Do You Dry Out Parsley?

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Dried parsley is even more flavorful than fresh parsley and can be achieved 5 different ways. The first method entails dehydrating your parsley in the oven. The second approach is air-drying and can take up to a week. If you have a dehydrator or microwave at home, you can also use these appliances if you are looking for an efficient approach. Lastly, for a fun DIY project, parsley can be dried out using a solar dehydrator and being stored in a bright and warm space.

Adding herbs to your dish is a great way to up your cooking game and lately, we can’t get enough of parsley.

If you’re unfamiliar with parsley, it’s essentially a herb that is used worldwide as a garnish and food. In terms of taste, parsley is often described as being peppery as well as clean and slightly earthy.

Not only does parsley taste great, it is also extremely healthy and is known to aid with bloating and blood pressure. It is also associated with bone health.

If you’ve ever used this herb, you may be aware that, like all herbs, parsley can be consumed both fresh and dry.

While fresh parsley is always a lovely addition to any meal, dried-out parsley possesses many additional benefits.

Unlike parsley that you pick from your garden or grab from the produce section of the grocery store, dried-out parsley can be stored in your home for months (fresh parsley will only keep in your fridge for a few days).

Not only this, but dried-out parsley also contains a more intense flavor due to the oils produced as the herb breaks down.

Drying out parsley is actually a lot easier than many think and is a great DIY project for when you’re looking for something fun and new to try out in the kitchen.

Plus, it can be achieved 5 different ways, so you’ll be sure to find a method that best suits your needs.

With so many benefits and an irresistible flavor, it’s hard to say no when it comes to parsley.

If you’re ready to take on the challenge and start your next DIY parsley project, make sure to check out the following tips and instructions on how to dry out this herb to perfection.

Because why waste perfectly good leftover parsley when it could be used at a later date?

How To Dry Out Parsley: Oven-Drying?

Unlike our ancestors, nowadays, parsley can be dried out using the wonders of modern technology.

Oven-drying parsley is super simple but does require an extensive cooking time, so make sure you set aside several hours when completing this method.

Pro Tips

You want to set your oven to the lowest temperature possible as the parsley will bake for several hours and a higher temperature will cause it to burn.

The lowest setting is typically around 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Blanching is a cooking technique used to preserve fruits and vegetables over an extensive period of time. It entails briefly placing the food item in boiling water followed by ice-cold water (this stops the parsley from continuing to cook).

When arranging the parsley on the baking sheet, try to place them in a single file and in a way that they are not touching or overlapping.

Ensure you are occasionally taking a look at the parsley while it is baking in the oven so that it doesn’t burn.

You can crush the parsley with whatever tool you like, but we highly recommend a mortar and pestle (we may have ovens now, but some things never change).

How To Dry Out Parsley: Air-Drying?

Instead of oven-drying parsley, if you really want to take things back to your roots, the air-drying method is a great foolproof alternative (it’s also perfect if you’re into the cottagecore aesthetic).

This approach can take up to two weeks, so like the oven, you will need to plan ahead.

Here’s how to do it:

Pro Tips

When putting the parsley into bundles, ensure you aren’t overcrowding them, as the leaves need enough space to be able to fan out when drying (rather than being crammed together).

Don’t forget to poke holes in the bags, as this will allow for air circulation.

For both options 1 and 2, it’s critical that the environment is dry, as humid climates will prevent the parsley from properly drying out.

How To Dry Out Parsley: Dehydrating?

The easiest way to dry out parsley is by using a dehydrator.

Dehydrators are electronic boxes that use a fan to remove the moisture from various food items.

They work super efficiently and are great for drying out herbs.

Pro Tips

Blanching is a cooking technique used to preserve fruits and vegetables over an extensive period of time. It entails briefly placing the food item in boiling water followed by ice-cold water (this stops the parsley from continuing to cook).

All dehydrators are unique and will require different amounts of time to dry out the parsley. That’s why it’s best to look at the manual and follow the instructions. In most cases, the dehydrator will have a setting for herbs.

How To Dry Out Parsley: Microwave?

If the other options aren’t possible for you, you can also use the microwave to dry out your parsley.

While this method is super quick and easy, we recommend using it as a last resort, as parsley can easily burn this way.

Pro Tips

As we mentioned, parsley can dry out very quickly in the microwave and burn, so it’s important to keep an eye on it.

This is why it’s also a good idea to keep the heat setting on medium or low.

How To Dry Out Parsley: Sun-Drying?

Do you love a good DIY project? If yes, then this is definitely the method for you!

Pro Tips

The screens are important so that there is sufficient air circulation under the parsley when they are drying.

After washing the parsley, make sure that it is dry before putting it on the screens.

An optimal place to put your solar dehydrator would be a large windowsill.

As long as the area is bright and warm, it will do the trick.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Best Method To Dry Parsley?

The best method to dry parsley is air-drying. Dehydrating herbs this way is the most organic approach and doesn’t use any heat source.

Omitting heat allows herbs to keep their oils and vitamins, so drying your parsley this way will ensure you are getting all of the health benefits this herb has to offer.

It does take longer than the other methods, but it is definitely worth it (and it looks cute hanging in your kitchen).

How Do You Store Parsley?

Parsley is best stored in an airtight container in a cool and dark environment in your kitchen or freezer.

When deciding on what type of container you should use, glass containers are best, as they won’t affect the flavor of the parsley.

How Long Does Dried Parsley Last?

Parsley will actually stay good for up to several years, however, you will notice that it will start to lose its taste after a few months.

How To Dry Out Parsley: Oven-Drying?

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Parsley is washed, blanched and baked in the oven at the lowest heat setting for 2-4 hours or until it crumbles easily. It is then crushed into small pieces using a mortar and pestle.

Materials

Parsley
Boiling water

Tools

Oven
Knife
Cutting board
Heat-protected bowl
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Mortar and pestle

Instructions

Set your oven to the lowest temperature setting
Retrieve your parsley and clean it by washing it thoroughly under cold water
Remove any stems that might be woody or hard
Using a sharp knife and cutting board, cut the parsley into pieces that are approximately ¼-inch thick
Boil water and place it in a heat-protected bowl
Blanch the parsley by placing it in the boiling water for about 30 seconds followed by cold water
Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper
Place the blanched parsley onto the baking sheet and spread them out as much as possible
Place the baking sheet in the oven on the middle rack
Allow the parsley to cook for 2-4 hours, or until it easily crumbles
Remove the parsley from the oven and crush it into small pieces (ensuring to discard of any stalks)

How To Dry Out Parsley: Air-Drying?

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Drying Time: 7 days

Total Time: 7 days 10 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Parsley is tied into bundles and either stored in a paper bag in a cool, dry place or hung upside in the kitchen for 2 weeks. The parsley is then crumbled and stored for later use.

Materials

Parsley

Tools

Twine/rubber bands
Brown paper bags
Mortar & pestle

Instructions

Arrange the parsley into bundles and loosely tie either a piece of twine or a rubber band around them

Option 1:

Place each bundle in a brown paper bag
Puncture small holes into the bags
Place the bags of parsley in a cool, dry place and store there for up to two weeks

Option 2:

Without the paper bags, hang the bundles of parsley up in the kitchen
Leave them hanging for up to 2 weeks

For both options, after the 2 weeks, crumble the parsley using a mortar and pestle and discard of any stems

How To Dry Out Parsley: Dehydrating?

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Drying Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Parsley is cleaned, chopped, blanched and dried out in a dehydrator.

Materials

Parsley
Boiling water

Tools

Dehydrator
Knife
Cutting board
Heat-protected bowl
Fine mesh sieve
Drying trays
Mortar and pestle

Notes

Retrieve your parsley and clean it by washing it thoroughly under cold water
Remove any stems that might be woody or hard
Using a sharp knife and cutting board, cut the parsley into pieces that are approximately ¼-inch thick
Boil water and place it in a heat-protected bowl
Blanch the parsley using a fine mesh sieve by placing it in the boiling water for about 30 seconds followed by cold water
Place the blanched parsley onto drying trays and spread them out as much as possible
Place the drying trays in the dehydrator
Read the instruction manual for the dehydrator and dry the parsley accordingly
Once done, remove the parsley from the dehydrator and crush it into small pieces (ensuring to discard of any stalks)

How To Dry Out Parsley: Microwave?

Prep Time: 1 minute

cook Time: 2 minutes

Total Time: 3 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Parsley is washed and placed on a paper plate in a single file in the microwave, 1 minute at a time or until it easily crumbles.

Materials

Parsley

Tools

Microwave
Paper plate
Mortar and pestle

Instructions

Retrieve your parsley and clean it by washing it thoroughly under cold water
Remove any stems that might be woody or hard
Place the parsley in single file on a paper plate
Set the plate in the microwave on medium heat
Microwave the parsley 1 minute at a time or until you can crumble it in your fingers
Once done, remove the parsley from the microwave and crush it into small pieces (ensuring to discard of any stalks)

How To Dry Out Parsley: Sun-drying?

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Active Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

Difficulty: Medium

Parsley is placed on a baking sheet lined with a window screen and stored in a brightly lit and warm environment until it is sufficiently dried out.

Materials

Parsley

Tools

Rimmed baking sheet
Window screens
Mortar & pestle

Instructions

Retrieve window screens and ensure they have are clean
Cut the screens so that they can be placed over the rimmed baking sheet
Clean your parsley by washing it thoroughly under cold water
Place the parsley on top of both the baking sheet and the screen
Put your DIY hydrator in an environment that is brightly lit and warm
Turn your parsley every few hours
Leave it here until it can crumble
Once done, crush the parsley into small pieces (ensuring to discard of any stalks)

Author
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Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!