How To Properly Store Parsley

When it comes to making recipes pop, nothing beats the addition of fresh herbsand spices. That said, it isn’t always easy – or convenient – to get your hands on something fresh from the farmer’s market or grocery store. Reversely, nothing is worse than thinking you have fresh herbs on hand, only to realize they have wilted or browned.

Registered dietitian Chelsea Edwards tells Southern Living that how you store fresh herbs is the secret to making them last as long as possible – and parsley is no exception. With proper prep and storage, the shelf life of parsley can be extended by up to two weeks.

How To Store Parsley

After bringing parsley home from the store, it’s important to trim the ends slightly before storing.

• Trim. “Parsley is likely to stay fresher at both room temperature and in the refrigerator if you trim the tips off the parsley stems after purchase and put them in a few inches of water,” Edwards explains.
• Wrap. To prevent wilting, Edwards recommends wrapping the parsley in a damp paper towel and putting it in a sealed container or zip-top bag to help maintain freshness and prevent wilting.
• Chill. “Refrigerating parsley can help extend the life of the herb, but it can (also) be kept on the counter for a few weeks without going bad,” she says. But she cautions, “If the parsley gets too cold in the fridge, it will cause the leaves to wilt.”

Storage Tips

• Where to store. When storing fresh parsley in the refrigerator, be sure it is kept away from raw meat, poultry, and seafood.
• When to wash. Like other fruits and vegetables, parsley should be washed prior to using.
• How to prevent mold. To prevent mold, only wash parsley right before using.

What Is Parsley?

Parsley is a flowering plant from the Mediterranean area that contains Vitamins A and C, minerals, and fiber. It is a common ingredient in casseroles, sauces, pasta, and salads. It is also frequently used as a garnish.

How To Buy Parsley

Half of extending the shelf life of parsley is buying the herb as fresh as possible. Texas A&M University offers the following tips for how to buy parsley and what to look for:

• Look for a bright green color 
• Pay attention to the fresh aroma
• Looks clean and fresh 

Alternately, the University offers pointers for the types of parsley to avoid: 

• Is poorly colored
• Is moldy
• Appears very dirty
• Is dried out or has brown, damaged leaves

What Is The Best Way To Keep Parsley Fresh?

Parsley can be stored on the counter for a week or two as long as you cut the very bottom of the stems and put them in a container with a few inches of water, just like you would with flowers. 

“You can also put (parsley) in the fridge this way,” Edwards says. “Parsley that is wilted can be shocked back to freshness by submerging it in an ice bath with ice and water for at least 15 minutes. It will make the stems firm again.”

Can You Freeze Parsley?

Parsley can be stored in the freezer in ice cube trays with a small bit of water or oil. 

“This allows you to pull out a cube for use when needed so you don't have to have fresh herbs on hand,” Edwards says. “Ideally you chop the parsley before freezing so it is ready to use.”