Keep parsley fresh in the fridge, or freeze it for 3 to 4 months
Quick answer
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Fridge
Keeps for 2-3 days
Store parsley in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, because the FDA lists herbs among the perishable produce to refrigerate.
Watch out Throw away parsley that looks rotten, and cut away damaged or bruised areas before you use it.
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Freezer
Keeps for 3-4 months
Freeze parsley if you won't use it within its 2 to 3 days in the fridge, and use it within 3 to 4 months.
Fresh parsley lasts 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator, according to USDA FoodKeeper. If you can't use it by then, FoodKeeper gives it 3 to 4 months in the freezer. Store it in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, because the FDA lists herbs among the perishable produce to refrigerate.
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Fresh parsley lasts 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator and 3 to 4 months in the freezer, according to USDA FoodKeeper. That’s a short fridge window, so plan to use the parsley quickly or freeze it.
Parsley is a fresh herb. The FDA lists herbs among the perishable produce to keep in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below. Dried herbs follow different rules and keep far longer.
How to store parsley
Store fresh parsley in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below. The FDA’s guidance on selecting and serving produce safely names herbs, along with strawberries, lettuce, and mushrooms, as perishable produce that belongs there.
How to keep parsley fresh
Keep parsley in the fridge and use it within 2 to 3 days, the time USDA FoodKeeper gives for fresh parsley. If part of the parsley is damaged or bruised, cut those areas away before you prepare it.
What to look for when you buy parsley
Look for parsley that isn’t bruised or damaged, as the FDA advises for all produce.
If you buy pre-cut, bagged, or packaged parsley, choose only packs that are refrigerated or surrounded by ice. Refrigerate all produce that is purchased pre-cut or packaged.
How long does parsley last in the fridge?
Fresh parsley lasts 2 to 3 days in the fridge, according to USDA FoodKeeper. The freezer gives it much longer, at 3 to 4 months.
| Parsley | How long it lasts |
|---|---|
| Fresh parsley in the fridge | 2 to 3 days |
| Fresh parsley in the freezer | 3 to 4 months |
| Dried herbs in the pantry, from the date of purchase | 1 to 2 years |
| Dried herbs in the pantry, after opening | 1 to 2 years |
How does parsley compare with other herbs?
Parsley keeps a shorter time in the fridge and a longer time in the freezer than FoodKeeper’s general entry for herbs, which gives 7 to 10 days in the fridge and 1 to 2 months in the freezer. That general entry counts from the date of purchase, and parsley has its own entry, so use the parsley numbers for parsley.
Can you freeze parsley?
Yes, USDA FoodKeeper gives fresh parsley 3 to 4 months in the freezer. That’s far longer than its 2 to 3 days in the fridge.
If you won’t use the parsley within those 2 to 3 days, the freezer is the better place for it. Use it within the 3 to 4 months.
How long do dried herbs last?
Dried herbs keep 1 to 2 years in the pantry, according to USDA FoodKeeper. That time is the same from the date of purchase and after you open them.
Fresh parsley follows the fridge and freezer times above, not the pantry time.
How to wash parsley
Wash parsley thoroughly under plain running water before you prepare or eat it, gently rubbing it as you go. Then dry it with a clean cloth or paper towel to further reduce bacteria, as the FDA’s tips for cleaning fruits and vegetables advise.
Wash it before you cut it, too. That way cutting doesn’t carry dirt and bacteria from the surface into the parsley.
How to tell if parsley is bad
Parsley that looks rotten is bad, so throw it away. If only part of it is damaged or bruised, cut those areas away before you prepare or eat it.
Frequently asked questions
Does parsley need to be refrigerated?
Yes. The FDA lists herbs among the perishable fresh produce to store in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below.
Do you need soap to wash parsley?
No. Plain running water is enough. The FDA doesn't recommend soap, detergent, or commercial produce wash, because produce is porous and can absorb them.
Does washing parsley remove all the bacteria?
No. Washing reduces bacteria but doesn't eliminate them. Drying the parsley with a clean cloth or paper towel reduces them further.
Does opening dried herbs change how long they last?
No. USDA FoodKeeper gives dried herbs 1 to 2 years in the pantry from the date of purchase and 1 to 2 years after opening.
