How to Garnish with Parsley

Garnishing with parsley is a simple way to make your food look delicious. The green herb adds a pop of color, instantly making any dish more appealing. In this post, we will explore how to use a bunch of parsley. You'll learn how to make the most of its flavor, color, and practical uses in your cooking.

Varieties of Parsley

The two common varieties of parsley are flat-leaf and curly parsley. They taste similar, but flat-leaf parsley has sturdier leaves and a stronger taste.

• Italian flat-leaf parsley has broad leaves and a slightly peppery flavor that works well with many dishes, from gremolata to seared steak.
• French curly parsley, with its frilly, more dainty leaves, has a fresh flavor and adds texture to any plate. I like to use it on shrimp for a pop of color.

When shopping for parsley, always choose the freshest option. Look for firm green leaves without any wilting or yellowing.

Parsley for Garnish

Start by washing your parsley without crushing the leaves.

Fill a bowl with cold water and swish it around to remove debris. Rinse under running water and lightly pat dry with a clean towel.

Trim away most of the long stems, leaving the leaves.

Chop the parsley into tiny bits or use sprigs with a bit of the stem.

How To Store Parsley

The best way to keep parsley fresh for the long haul is to treat it like a bouquet of flowers. Trim the ends of the stems and place the parsley in a mason jar or glass filled with a few inches of water.

Loosely cover the top with a plastic bag, then refrigerate. If you change the water every two days, it will stay crisp and vibrant for a week or so.

While the jar method is ultimate for longevity, my favorite quick-and-easy daily shortcut is wrapping the bunch in a damp paper towel.

When I'm short on time or fridge space, I simply wrap the parsley bunch in a wet paper towel, place it right back into the grocery store plastic bag, and tuck it into the crisper drawer. This keeps the herb perfectly moist and fresh for about a week.

How to Freeze Extra Parsley

If you have a large bounty of extra parsley that you won't use within a few days, freezing is the best way to preserve it. Wash and thoroughly dry the leaves, then mince them finely.

Place the chopped parsley into ice cube trays, measuring about a tablespoon for each cube, and top with a little water or olive oil. Once the cubes have frozen overnight, transfer them to a freezer bag.

These convenient herb cubes are perfect for tossing directly into future stews, soups, sauces, and stir-fries.

Finely chopped parsley adds a layer of texture and color to your food.

• Sprinkle parsley over creamed soups like smooth potato or butternut squash to add texture and visual appeal. Add it to chicken soup for a touch of bright green.
• Use parsley to garnish mashed potatoes or rice dishes for a pop of color and break up the color.
• When serving a creamy mayo sauce on the side, pour it into a small bowl alongside your dish and sprinkle parsley on top. The green contrast breaks up the pale color, making it look better.
• With fish or meat, break up the colors with a pop of green.

Garnish For Seafood

1. Sautéed Shrimp with Coconut Aminos: Bits of curly parsley and sesame seeds add color and texture to the shrimp.
2. Seared Fish with Lemon Butter Sauce: Italian flat-leaf parsley is sprinkled on top of the buttery white fish for fresh flavor.
3. Florida Blackened Swordfish: Green parsley breaks up all the red tones on this plate of fish.
4. Stone Crabs with Mustard Sauce: the bright green parsley in two corners of this plate contrasts nicely with the red and pink colors of the stone crab claws.

More Garnish Ideas

Parsley is a classic garnish that has been used for centuries. You can sprinkle it over vegetables, use it as a decoration, or mix it with lemon zest for extra flavor.

A good garnish blends seamlessly into the dish. It makes the plate look better without being the main focus, boosting the overall presentation.

While I often use parsley, if a dish features another herb, like dill, I'll garnish with additional dill instead. It adds a similar burst of color and also connects the garnish to the dish's flavors.

Savory Garnish Alternatives

• Parmesan cheese
• Red chili flakes
• Chopped nuts
• Edible flowers

Sweet Dessert Accents

• Whipped cream
• Pomegranate seeds
• Lemon zest
• Shaved chocolate

Here are some examples of dishes garnished with herbs other than parsley.

1. This Mango Passion Fruit Smoothie is topped with a slice of key lime and a piece of mango. It comes with a bright red pick and an old-fashioned red striped straw.
2. These Fish Tacos and other Mexican foods use cilantro for both flavor and garnish. Choose fresh cilantro that is well-hydrated and lively. It the cilantro has wilted, place it in a bowl of cold water to bring it back.
3. Sushi or Seared Tuna is garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
4. Cold salads, like this Shrimp Salad, is garnished with bits of dill. Not only does it add texture and color, but the dill garnish shows the herb used in the dish. This is a technique many restaurants use to make the food look better and help diners know what to expect.
5. These brownies are a good example. The sprinkles are used as a garnish. They don't change the flavor much, but they make the gooey treat look more appealing.

Parsley is the perfect finishing touch, adding a pop of color, texture, and flavor that ties a dish together.

A sprinkle of green can brighten a plain soup or add life to a plate of chicken. It really changes the whole look.

Whether you use whole sprigs for decoration or finely chop it as an accent, parsley is a simple way to elevate any meal.

Adding a garnish like parsley shows attention to detail in your cooking. Experiment with different dishes and see how this herb can make your food shine!