dry parsley

How To Dry Out Parsley

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Parsley is one of the most popular herbs used in cooking and it adds a unique flavor and aroma to dishes. However, fresh parsley only lasts for a few days before it starts to wilt and go bad. That’s where dried parsley comes in. Dried parsley not only lasts much longer than fresh parsley, but it also enhances the flavor and aroma of dishes in a way that fresh parsley can’t. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the different methods of drying parsley and provide you with tips on how to do it perfectly every time.

Why Drying Parsley is Important: Health and Culinary Benefits

Drying parsley is important for a number of reasons. Firstly, it helps to preserve the nutritional value of the herb. Parsley is loaded with vitamins A, C and K, as well as iron and folate. When you dry parsley, you retain these nutrients, making it a healthy addition to your meals. Secondly, dried parsley has a more intense flavor than fresh parsley. When you dry parsley, the water content is removed, leaving a more concentrated flavor. This allows you to use less parsley while still achieving the same delicious flavor.

Different Methods for Drying Parsley: Which Works Best

There are two main methods for drying parsley: air-drying and oven-drying. Both methods work well, but the one that’s best for you will depend on your personal preferences and the equipment you have available.

Air-drying: How to Air-dry Parsley Perfectly

Air-drying is the easiest and most traditional method of drying parsley. Here’s how to do it:

1. Wash the parsley: Before drying, wash the parsley under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris.

2. Remove the excess water: Gently shake the parsley to remove any excess water. You want to leave a little bit of moisture on the parsley to help it dry, but not too much.

3. Tie the parsley: Bundle the parsley together and tie it with a string or rubber band.

4. Hang the parsley: Hang the bundle of parsley upside down in a warm, well-ventilated area. Make sure it’s not in direct sunlight, as this can cause the parsley to lose its flavor.

5. Wait for the parsley to dry: It should take around 1-2 weeks for the parsley to dry completely. Once it’s dry, remove the leaves from the stems and store them in an airtight container.

Oven-drying: Step-by-Step Guide for Oven-drying Parsley

If you’re short on time, oven-drying is a faster method of drying parsley. Here’s how to do it:

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 180°F (82°C).

2. Wash and dry the parsley: Wash the parsley under cold running water and then gently pat it dry with a towel.

3. Place the parsley on a baking sheet: Spread the parsley out on a baking sheet in a single layer. Make sure the leaves aren’t touching each other.

4. Bake the parsley: Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and let it bake for around 2-4 hours. Check on the parsley every hour or so, and remove any pieces that are dry and crispy.

5. Store the parsley: Once the parsley is completely dry, remove the leaves from the stems and store them in an airtight container.

How to Store Dried Parsley for Longevity

Once you’ve dried your parsley, it’s important to store it properly to keep it fresh and flavorful for as long as possible. Here are some tips for storing dried parsley:

1. Use airtight containers: Store the dried parsley in an airtight container to prevent it from absorbing moisture and losing its flavor.

2. Label the container: It’s a good idea to label the container with the date you dried the parsley. This will help you keep track of when it’s time to replace it.

3. Store in a cool, dry place: Keep the container of dried parsley in a cool, dry place that’s away from direct sunlight. A pantry or cupboard is a great place to store it.

4. Don’t crush the parsley: Avoid crushing the dried parsley until you’re ready to use it. This will help to preserve its flavor and aroma.

Conclusion

Drying parsley isn’t difficult, but it does take some time and patience. Whether you choose to air-dry or oven-dry your parsley, the end result will be a delicious, flavorful herb that you can use in a wide variety of dishes. With these tips, you’ll be able to dry parsley perfectly every time and enjoy the health and culinary benefits of this popular herb.

How To Dry Parsley In Oven

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Have you ever found yourself stuck with a bunch of fresh parsley that you can’t possibly use up before it goes bad? Or maybe you’ve been looking for a way to extend the life of your herbs beyond their typical lifespan in the fridge. Whatever the reason, drying parsley is a great solution to both of these common problems. Not only does it allow you to preserve the taste and nutritional benefits of the herb for longer, but it also makes it more convenient to use in a variety of different recipes.

In this article, we’ll take you through the steps for drying parsley in the oven, providing you with a foolproof guide for delicious dried herbs. We’ll also discuss some of the benefits of dried parsley, and offer some pro tips and tricks for getting the best results.

What are the benefits of dried parsley?

Dried parsley offers several advantages over its fresh counterpart. Firstly, dried parsley takes up much less space than fresh, meaning you can store more of it without having to worry about it taking up too much room in your kitchen. Secondly, when dried properly, parsley can retain its aromatic qualities and characteristic flavor, making it a great option for recipes that require a little extra punch of herbaceousness. Finally, dried parsley is incredibly versatile, and can be added to a wide range of dishes, from soups and stews to roasted meats and vegetable dishes.

How to Dry Parsley in the Oven

If you’re ready to start drying parsley, here’s a step-by-step guide for how to do it in the oven:

Preparing parsley for drying

Before drying the parsley, you’ll need to prepare it properly. Begin by washing the parsley in cold running water to remove any dirt or debris. Then, shake off any excess water and pat the leaves dry with a paper towel. Finally, remove any woody stems or browned leaves.

How to dry parsley using the oven

Now that your parsley is prepped and ready to go, it’s time to dry it in the oven. Here’s how:

1. Preheat your oven to its lowest temperature setting. Most ovens have a “warm” setting that will be sufficient.

2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will help to prevent the parsley from sticking to the tray.

3. Arrange the parsley in a single layer on the baking sheet. Be sure to leave some space between the leaves so that they can dry evenly.

4. Place the baking sheet in the oven and leave the door slightly ajar. This will allow for air circulation and help to prevent moisture from building up inside the oven.

5. Check the parsley after about 30 minutes. Depending on the freshness of your herb, it may take up to an hour to fully dry out. The parsley is done when the leaves are crispy and crumble easily when crushed.

6. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the parsley to cool completely. Once it’s cool, you can crumble the leaves by hand or using a food processor. Be sure to discard any remaining stems or browned leaves.

Tips and Tricks for Perfectly Dried Parsley

While drying parsley is a straightforward process, there are a few tips and tricks you can use to help ensure your dried herb comes out perfectly. Here are a few to keep in mind:

How to store dried parsley

To make sure your dried parsley stays fresh for as long as possible, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. A glass jar with a tight-fitting lid is a good option for this. You can also label the jar with the date you dried the parsley, so you know when it’s time to replenish your supply.

Additional ways to use your dried parsley

Dried parsley is incredibly versatile and can be used in a wide range of dishes. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

– Add a sprinkle of dried parsley to roasted vegetables for extra flavor.

– Mix dried parsley with butter, lemon juice, and garlic for a delicious compound butter that’s perfect for cooking or spreading on bread.

– Use dried parsley as a garnish on soups, stews, and pasta dishes.

– Mix dried parsley with other dried herbs like basil and oregano for a homemade Italian seasoning blend.

Conclusion

In conclusion, drying parsley in the oven is a great way to extend the life of your herbs, while also preserving their flavor and nutrition. Whether you have an excess of fresh parsley on hand or are just looking for a way to make your herbs last longer, drying parsley is a simple and effective solution. With our step-by-step guide and pro tips, you’ll be able to make delicious dried parsley every time.

How To Dry Parsley – The 4 Best Methods

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What Is Parsley – Parsley Varieties – How To Dry Parsley – Storing Dried Parsley – Using Dried Parsley – Summary

Drying parsley is a great practice to keep since you will be able to enjoy your harvest for way longer than the season. Parsley is thankfully a very easy herb to dry and preserve for the long term. The flavor doesn’t change that much and the color will stay with it if you are following our methods below.

What Is Parsley

Parsley is a very common herb that a lot of gardeners are growing at home right now. The herb has a long history of being used in cooking but before that in aromatherapy and herbal medicine.

It’s a very aromatic herb that grows well in a number of different environments. If there is drought then the herb will still be able to grow and flourish. A lot of sun and the plant will still grow like normal. All in all, just a great beginner friendly herb to start out with.

Parsley Plant
Parsley Plant

Parsley Varieties

There are a number of different varieties of parsley out there. But below are some of the most commonly grown ones. They grow in moist climates and environments, making it a great addition to your garden at home.

Flat Leaf Parsley

The flat leaf parsley is perhaps the most common variety of parsley. The different varieties we have will more or less grow the same actually. Flat leaf parsley will provide a lot of harvest for the whole season.

The flavor is quite strong and aromatic. It keeps very well in the fridge after being harvested too. Make sure you keep it in an air-tight container away from moisture to prolong the longevity of the harvest.

Curly Leaf Parsley

Curly leaf parsley is perhaps the second most grown variety. It provides a lot of harvests throughout the whole season. The flavor is very similar to flat leaf parsley, very aromatic and flavorful.

The size of the plant will be smaller than the flat leaf one though. The curly variety grows more like a bush instead.

Root Parsley

One of the most underappreciated plants out there honestly. It might be a bit harder to grow at home since it’s pretty weather dependent. The root is what we are after here. It will look almost like parsnip. 

The difficulty comes when it’s growing in wet soil, since that can damage the root quite severely.

How To Dry Parsley

How To Oven Dry Parsley

Oven drying parsley is very easy. We are simply laying out the herb on a flat tray and then putting that in the oven. The temperature should be as low as possible. This will help keep the flavor and the aroma of the herb a lot better.

Something we have learnt over the years is that drying something at higher temperatures will obviously dry it more quickly, but the color and the flavor of the herb will disappear rather quickly.

How To Air Dry Parsley

This is a great method to use as it will also spread the wonderful aroma of the ehrb in the room that you are drying it in. We air dry our parsley by tying a bundle of it and then letting it free hang. 

It will take between 1 and 2 weeks until it’s fully dried, but the flavor and aroma of the herb will be great. Afterwards you should keep it in an air-tight container to keep as much moisture away as possible.

How To Dehydrate Parsley

Dehydrating parsley is a very efficient way of drying a large amount of parsley and then storing it for the long term. If you are lucky enough to have a dehydrator at home then it won’t take long to preserve your harvest.

Just like drying it in the oven, put the dehydrator at the lowest temperature. It will take between 6 – 8 hours or so, depending on how thick you layer the herbs.

How To Microwave Parsley

This might be the least used method. We are using the microwave to basically push out the water content as quickly as possible. Be careful that going too far will instead start burning the herbs eventually.

Parsley Plant
Parsley Plant

How To Store Dried Parsley

Storing dry parsley the right way is very important. Since we have taken all the water from the herb then we need to keep water away too. Rehydrating the herb will instead create a good environment for mold to grow on and bacterial growth.

In our house we use air-tight containers with some kitchen paper to store our dried herbs. The paper will attract any water getting in and protecting the herbs.

Using Dried Parsley

Once you have dried parsley then you have a lot of opportunity to use it in your cooking. We like to especially use it in sauces or soups. It will bring the flavor to a new level, adding a lot of aroma to the dish.

We would hold off on using it in salads, or “drier” dishes for example. You want something that can sort of rehydrate the parsley instead.

Summary

Drying parsley is a very simple task to undertake. We often use the air drying method in our home. It’s not the most efficient way to do it, but the flavor and aroma of the herb will be preserved, which we prioritize.

Additional Information

Read more articles about Preserving Your Garden

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