If your garden produced an overabundance of fresh herbs like parsley this year, don’t let it go to waste! Instead, learn how to dry parsley in the microwave for a quick and easy way to preserve your fresh herbs for later use.
Parsley is such a versatile herb, making an appearance in lots of dishes as both an ingredient and a garnish. It’s always handy to have on hand!
Can Parsley Be Dried in the Microwave?
Yes! Parsley can be dried in the microwave. In fact, it’s the quickest way to do it. Not only will the oven heat up your house more, but it takes longer. Air drying is a great option as well, but far more time consuming too.
How to Dry Out Parsley in the Microwave – Step by Step:
Start with clean, dry, fresh parsley
Place a paper towel on a microwave safe plate
Spread out your parsley in a single layer on the paper towel (if you have a lot, you may need to do this in batches)
Trim the stems to get rid of excess
Cover the parsley layer with another paper towel
Microwave on high for 30 seconds, then check
Continue to microwave in 30 second intervals, until parsley is completely dry
Remove leaves from stems by running your hand down the stem over a bowl, then crush up finer if desired
Store dried parsley in an airtight container or spice jar
Times are based on a 1000W microwave. On average, it takes me about two minutes in total to dry out parsley in the microwave. For lower wattages, plan on a higher time, and for higher wattages, plan for lower cook times.
This method works with both flat leaf Italian parsley and curly parsley, depending which variety you have.
Then, anytime you want to make some tasty herb & garlic croutons in the air fryer you can reach for your dried parsley!
What Are Some Uses for Dried Parsley?
Soups and stews
Pasta sauce
Garnish
Marinades
Salad dressing
Compound butter
Seafood
Tea
Seasoning on meats or vegetables
Baked potatoes
As you can see, dried parsley is versatile for uses in a lot of other dishes. It’s a flavorful herb that goes with a variety of cuisines and works with lots of other foods.
Yes, you can dry parsley in the oven as well. At the lowest oven temperature possible (generally around 200 degrees Fahrenheit) it takes between 2-4 hours to fully dry. You’ll also want to blanch your leaves ahead of time.
While this method works just as well in terms of the result, it takes a lot longer to get there. So, I find the microwave method to be better if you want to dry parsley quickly.
Nearly any herb can be dried in the microwave, and all in a relatively short amount of time. Cooking and seasoning with a vibrant array of herbs from your home garden has never been easier.
Now that you know how to dry parsley in the microwave, you’ll see just how easy it is to preserve herbs for use all year round.
It takes only about 3 minutes between prep and cook time, meaning that you’ll be able to quickly and easily process dried parsley. I love anything that doesn’t feel like an arduous task.
In fact, I’m about to go put that neglected herb garden back to work!
Quick & Easy Dried Parsley in the Microwave
Dry your extra parsley for later use quickly with the help of your microwave.
Start with fresh parsley, washing and drying it if needed
12-14 sprigs Parsley
Lay a paper towel on a microwave safe plate
Spread out your parsley in a single layer on the paper towel
Cover the parsley layer with another paper towel
Microwave on high for 30 seconds, then check for doneness
Continue to microwave in 30 second intervals, until parsley is completely dry and crinkly to the touch
Remove leaves from stems by running your hand down the stem over a bowl, then crush up finer if desired
Store dried parsley in an airtight container or spice jar
Notes
If you have a lot of parsley, make sure to dry in batches. Stacking up beyond a single layer won’t heat evenly
Trimming the excess stems is important, as they may actually catch on fire if left intact
To crush the leaves, I prefer a quick chop with a chef’s knife. Alternatively, you may use your hands, a spoon, a mortar & pestle, or just scrunch them around in a Ziploc bag
Dried parsley keeps well for about 2 years, after that it tends to lose flavor
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
