I think parsley is an herb that people should appreciate more, and here are my tips and recipes for Cooking with Fresh Parsley! In this post you’ll find lots of tips for growing parsley, and a bit about why I love parsley so much! And for everyone who loves parsley, there are 36 amazing recipes using it.
Even though I grew up with a mom who would nibble the garnish of parsley from her plate when we ate in restaurants, I was well into adulthood before I developed a real appreciation of this grassy-flavored herb. Now I can’t get enough of it!
Some cooks adore the flat-leaf Italian parsley and ignore the curly type, but I like both, and actually prefer curly parsley in some salads where it adds an interesting texture.
In summer I love to use parsley combined with fresh mint, which I think brings out the flavor of both! And even though I grow parsley in my herb garden, I think one of the things that’s so great about parsley is that it’s inexpensive in the grocery store all year, making it easy to keep cooking with parsley all winter long when you just want a bit of fresh herb flavor.
Parsley is often added into dishes like pastas, sauces, salads, meat dishes, and vegetables. Parsley is frequently sprinkled on the top of finishes dishes for an extra punch of fresh herby flavor as well as appearance.
What does fresh Parsley taste like?
I think most people who enjoy parsley would agree that it has somewhat of a grassy flavor, but in a good way! I’ve seen the flavor described as “a mild bitter”. But most of all I think it’s a fresh herby flavor that really goes well with many foods.
Tips for Growing Parsley:
- In the garden parsley is a biennial, which means the plant will produce leaves for two years, although sometimes the first year the production is much less.
- I find it’s relatively easy to grow, and if you neglect your plants a little in the fall they’ll drop their seeds which keeps parsley plants coming up in that spot year after year.
- If you start parsley from purchased seed you’ll have to be patient because the seeds take a long time to germinate (although soaking them overnight before planting can help a lot.)
- Parsley plants do best when they’re trimmed through the season to remove seeds and dead leaves.
- There are two different types of parsley, flat leaf and curly parsley, and they are grown the same way.
How to Use Parsley
FAQ
What are the most common uses for parsley?
What does parsley do in cooking?
What flavor does parsley add?
What food does parsley go with?
What is parsley used for?
Because of its light scent and fresh taste, parsley can be used in anything from soups to sauces to vegetables. In Middle Eastern cuisine, parsley is one of the main ingredients in dishes such as tabbouleh, a salad using bulgur, mint, parsley, and vegetables, and is the main herb used in stuffing for grape leaves.
Can you eat parsley leaves?
Like the seeds and roots, parsley leaves have health benefits. You can eat them by adding them to food preparation or even in teas.
How do you use parsley in cooking?
How to Cook Parsley: When determining how to use parsley in cooking a meal it’s useful to note that the three most prevalent uses are: sautéing, garnishing or as part of a bouquet garni. Particularly good for sautéing to build a flavor base for soups, stews or broths, sprigs of parsley are best finely chopped with a sharp knife.
Is parsley good for cooking?
Parsley is great for experimenting in the kitchen and for getting creative with its use in various dishes. In Middle Eastern cuisine, you can never go wrong with parsley. One of the most versatile herbs used in cooking, parsley is used as a garnish and a spice.