1. Wash the Parsley
Before freezing parsley, it needs to be washed thoroughly to remove any dirt, dust, or bacteria that could spoil it during storage. Rinse the parsley with cool water until it’s clean, then dry it on a clean towel or paper towel. You can also use a salad spinner to remove any excess water.
2. Chop the Parsley
Once the parsley is washed and dried, it’s time to chop it into manageable pieces. Decide whether you’d like to chop just the leaves, or include the stems as well. Parsley stems are perfectly safe to eat and contain a lot of flavour, so there’s no reason to waste them. Chop the parsley into small pieces, about 2 or 3 centimetres long.
3. Freeze the Parsley
Once the parsley is chopped, it’s time to freeze it. There are several methods for freezing parsley, but the easiest is to use an ice cube tray. Simply fill each compartment with chopped parsley, then top it off with a small amount of water. Freeze until solid, then remove the parsley cubes and store them in a freezer-safe container or bag.
Alternatively, you can also freeze parsley in a plastic bag. Put the chopped parsley in a bag, remove any excess air, then seal the bag tightly. Flatten the bag out and place it in the freezer. When you need to use the parsley, simply break off a piece of the frozen herb as needed.
4. Thaw the Parsley
When you’re ready to use the frozen parsley, there’s no need to thaw it completely. Simply take out the amount you need and chop it while it’s still frozen. If you’re adding it to a dish that will be cooked or simmered, you can add the frozen parsley directly to the pot. The heat will melt and blend the parsley into the dish.
Freezing parsley is an easy way to preserve its freshness and flavour for later use. By following these simple steps, you can freeze parsley easily and keep it on hand all year long. It’s an efficient way to save time and money while enjoying the health benefits and delicious taste of parsley in your meals. Plus, you can impress your friends with your knowledge of how to freeze parsley and share your freshly preserved herb with them!