Parsley is a herb with vibrant colours and a mild grassy scent. This makes Parsley a popular choice for a variety of sauces. You’ll usually have extra Parsley when you cook or make sauces. Thus, you can freeze Parsley if you need to store it. If your frozen stock is over or you want to buy an alternative for parsley then checkout this post.
Can you easily freeze Parsley or not?
Yes. You can freeze Parsley to preserve its bounty. It’s easy to freeze Parsley, and you can enjoy its wonderful herbal flavour once the harvest is over.
If done correctly, freezing Parsley will prolong its shelf life by six months. Although this might not be long enough to keep the Parsley fresh, it is better than having it spoiled or not having any Parsley at all. The texture of the herbs will change due to the freezing action, which can limit the use of frozen Parsley in recipes.
How to Freeze Parsley?
It is easy to freeze Parsley. There are two ways you can do it. The purpose of freezing herbs will determine what you intend to use them for.
Freeze Parsley in Bags
- First, wash the Parsley. Run them under cool water for one minute to remove dirt or other debris.
- Let the parsley drain for 5 minutes in a colander.
- Use a paper towel to gently rub the Parsley.
- Place a sheet of wax or baking paper on a tray.
- Place each piece of Parsley on a tray. You can freeze the sprigs of Parsley separately or together with the leaves. You can freeze more Parsley if you only freeze the leaves.
- Keep them apart from each other when the tray is on.
- Place the tray of Parsley in the freezer.
- Flash-freeze the Parsley for 2 to 3 hours.
- After it has frozen completely, take them out of the freezer.
- Transfer the frozen Parsley immediately to an airtight container.
- When using a freezer bag to store food, ensure that you squeeze as much air as possible before sealing it.
- You should seal the container tightly and label it with your freezing date.
- Place them in the freezer.
Freezing Parsley in Cubes
- To remove any dirt or other debris, rinse the Parsley with running water.
- Let the herb drain for 5 minutes in a colander.
- Use a dry, clean paper towel to gently pat the Parsley.
- Place the leaves from each sprig in a bowl.
- Place the parsley leaves in each slot of an ice cube tray. Place the leaves in each slot until they reach the top.
- Fill each slot with olive oil and top it off. The olive oil will prevent the leaves from freezing.
- Wrap the tray in a cling wrapper.
- For 2-3 hours, place the tray in the freezer.
- After it has frozen completely, take the tray of Parsley out of the freezer.
- Transfer parsley cubes immediately to an airtight container.
- Use a freezer bag to get rid of any air pockets.
- Place the bags or containers in an airtight bag and seal them tightly.
How do you defrost Parsley?
Defrosting Parsley might not be the best idea. Once Parsley has been frozen, it’s best to just use it as is. When defrosted, Parsley will potentially take on water and become mushy.
If you freeze Parsley, it is best to use it frozen. Parsley is unlikely to be used in a dish that isn’t being cooked, so it is best to use frozen Parsley.
If you decide to freeze the Parsley, do it in the fridge. Defrosting food in the fridge is always a better option, as it’s a slower process. Although it is possible to defrost food at room temperature or in the microwave, this won’t work either.
Place the Parsley in a container. As the Parsley defrosts, the paper towels absorb any water. It won’t stop the Parsley from becoming mushy, but it may help.
Factors to Beware Before Freezing Parsley
Consider what you will be using the Parsley for before you freeze it. It is fine to freeze Parsley if you intend to use it for any type of cooking.
It may be possible to freeze it if you intend to roast it. However, this is not a great option. When the Parsley gets defrosted, it produces steam. This can affect the cooking process and the texture and taste of other foods in the oven.
You can freeze Parsley in an ice tray with butter. It will taste great no matter what you cook.
It is a good idea to freeze Parsley. It is possible to freeze Parsley, but it is not a good idea. Dried Parsley can last for quite some time. If you are worried about dried Parsley going bad, you may not be using it enough. This delicious herb deserves to be used more often!
You can freeze fresh Parsley to use in cooking, but be aware that they will stick together. They can also go bad and discolour.
You should know that fresh or dried Parsley can become mushy if frozen. It is best to chop the Parsley and put it in an ice tray with butter and garlic. Delicious!
How to Use Up Extra/Leftover parsley?
Parsley is a very popular herb used in many different dishes. Parsley has a refreshing, slightly peppery flavor that pairs well with many foods. What do you do with extra Parsley? These are five great ways to make the most of your parsley leftovers.
- Make pesto with Parsley. It’s a wonderful ingredient in pesto, especially when combined with other herbs such as basil or oregano. You can blend it with olive oil, Parmesan cheese and nuts to make a delicious sauce perfect for pasta and bread.
- You can use it as a garnish. Parsley is good for both sweet and savoury dishes. You can use it to top a soup, stew, pie or cake.
- Chimichurri sauce – Chimichurri, a popular Argentinian condiment, marries grilled meats. You can also use it in sandwiches, salads, pasta dishes or in grilled potato wedges bowl. You will need 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup vinegar, one garlic clove, salt, and pepper to make chimichurri. Blend all ingredients in a blender/food processor until smooth.
- You can add it to any recipe, including soups, stews, chillies, and even casseroles.
- Parsley Infused Oil: Parsley Infused Oil can be used to enhance the flavor of many dishes. You will need 1/2 cup chopped Parsley, 1 tbsp olive oil, and one garlic clove to make Parsley Infused Oil. Combine the oil, garlic, and Parsley in a jar. Let it rest for at least 24 hours. The oil will taste better the longer it sits. After 24 hours, strain the oil. This recipe yields approximately 1 cup of oil.
FAQS
How long is Parsley good for in the freezer?
Frozen Parsley can be kept in the freezer for up to one year if it is properly stored and not subject to temperature fluctuations.
Can you refreeze Parsley?
We don’t recommend freezing Parsley. You’ll only worsen the texture, and the flavor will quickly degrade.
How can Parsley help your health?
Parsley is exceptionally high in vitamins A, C, and K. It may also have antioxidant and bone health benefits. You can easily add fresh or dried leaves to your diet in soups, salads, and marinades.
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