What Are Parsley leaves and How Can I Use Them?

If parsley leaves have turned up in a recipe or caught your eye at the store, here's what you need to use them with confidence and how to choose them, cook them, store them, what to substitute, and 4,460 recipes to try them in.

What are parsley leaves?

Parsley  is a bright green biennial herb, often used as spice. It is common in Middle Eastern, European, and American cooking. In modern cooking, parsley is used for its leaf in much the same way as coriander (which is also known as Chinese parsley or cilantro), although parsley is perceived to have a milder flavor.

In Central and Eastern Europe and in West Asia, many dishes are served with fresh green chopped parsley sprinkled on top. Green parsley is often used as a garnish.

The fresh flavor of the green parsley goes extremely well with potato dishes (french fries, boiled buttered potatoes or mashed potato), with rice dishes (risotto or pilaf), with fish, fried chicken, lamb or goose, steaks, meat or vegetable stews.

Nutrition

Where found

Parsley leaves are usually found in the produce section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group

Parsley leaves are a member of the Vegetables and Vegetable Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

How much do parsley leaves weigh?

Related

Vegetables and Vegetable Products

Recipes using parsley leaves

There are 4460 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Burgers with Caramelized Onions

Vegetarian burgers built from Harvest Burger mix and bulgur wheat, bound with tomato paste and parsley, then topped with balsamic-glazed caramelized onions. A satisfying meatless burger with serious chew and sweet-tangy crown.

Fried Leeks with Tarragon

An elegant and sophisticated appetizer that will impress your dinner guests and is ready in just 20 minutes. The leeks are trimmed, steamed, battered, and fried to a beautiful golden brown. The addition of tarragon and parsley adds a subtle yet delicious flavor to the dish. The result is a crispy and flavorful appetizer or side dish that is certain to wow your guests.

Goat Cheese & Zucchini Omelet for Two

Eggs & zucchini creamily enveloped by warm and creamy tangy goat cheese and sweet caramelized onion mixture. When you've got zucchini overload and aren't sure what to do, this is my go-to recipe that feeds the need.

Cheese & Corn Chowder

This simple, creamy, comforting chowder combines tender potatoes, sweet corn kernels, and cheese in a lightly spiced milk-based broth. It’s a quick, hearty soup perfect for chilly days, ready in about 30 minutes and serving 4 as a main dish.

Hearty & Silky Broccoli Soup

Silky broccoli soup purees fresh broccoli with sauteed leeks, potatoes, and chicken broth, finished with half-and-half for a creamy, vivid green bowl. Bright and vegetable-forward.

Tomato Gazpacho

Chilled Spanish tomato gazpacho blended from ripe tomatoes, garlic, onion, green pepper, and olive oil, sharpened with vinegar and a hit of paprika. No-cook summer soup served with crunchy garnishes.

Beef & Vegetables in Red Wine Sauce

A sophisticated main dish of beef strips marinated in red wine and accompanied by a colorful array of sweet bell peppers, this recipe is a delightful fusion of rich flavors and vibrant colors, a feast for the senses that is as visually stunning as it is gastronomically gratifying.

Delicious Tabouli

Tabouli salad with bulgur wheat, juicy tomatoes, fresh parsley, lemon, and olive oil. The classic Middle Eastern parsley salad served at room temperature with optional black olives and mint.

All Time Avgolemono Soup

Greek lemon-egg soup with tender chicken and orzo in a silky, tangy broth. This avgolemono takes 40 minutes and tastes like sunshine in a bowl.

Chilled Tomato Carrot Soup

This chilled tomato carrot soup blends fresh tomatoes and sweet carrots with basil, thyme, and a whisper of nutmeg into a silky cold soup for hot summer days. Simmered, pureed, then served ice-cold with a splash of milk for creamy body.

Curried Pumpkin Soup

Curried pumpkin soup with sweet pumpkin puree, golden sauteed onions, warm curry powder, and a swirl of half-and-half. A silky, autumn-spiced soup garnished with pepitas or chives.

So Dood Gazpacho

Classic chilled gazpacho, the no-cook Spanish soup of ripe tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, and onion blended with tomato juice and a splash of wine. Light, refreshing, vegan, and ready in 10 minutes.

Spiced Baba Gannouj

Spiced baba ghanoush with broiled eggplant, lemon, olive oil, and a warming hit of allspice and cinnamon. A Middle Eastern dip with unexpected spice depth, served with pita and fresh herbs.

Sour Cabbage Salad

This salad fits to pierogi with the meat filling. You may also try it with fried or grilled fish.

Chili-Tomato Soup

Chunky chili-tomato soup with whole simmered potatoes, fresh tomatoes, yellow onions, and a kick of green and red chili. Naturally vegan, gluten-free, deeply rustic.

Tabouli Herb Salad

Lebanese tabbouleh herb salad heavy on fresh parsley and mint, fine bulgur, lemon and olive oil. Served on romaine leaves, the proper Middle Eastern way.

Turkey-Cheddar Burgers

Juicy turkey cheddar burgers seasoned with sage, thyme, lemon zest, and sauteed garlic onions, with melted cheese stuffed right inside the patty. Grill or broil in 40 minutes for a lighter burger that still oozes with flavor.

Spiced Carrot & Orange Soup

Warm up a cool autumn day with this fragrant soup that is full of flavor in every spoonful.

Mini Roasted Leek, Onion & Navy Bean Galettes

These rustic pie like galettes were so delicious. Buttery crust and a delicious filling made with roasted leek and onion, and creamy navy beans. It didn't last long. Yum.

Favorite Tuna Salad

Classic tuna salad mixes canned tuna with celery, onion, garlic, parsley, and lemon juice in a creamy mayo base. The simple deli-style sandwich filling done right.

Chasing Chili

Chasing chili builds a slow-simmered base with ground beef chuck, lean pork, soaked pinto beans, and whole cumin seeds. A two-meat, scratch-bean chili built for a crowd.

Olive & White Mushroom Soup with 3-colors Fusilli

Once upon a time I was reading a magazine article about good cooking. The journalist tried to convince me not to use some combinations of ingredients. One of the "banned" combinations mentioned was green and black olives. And so this soup was born to enjoy me.

Yummy Falafel

Crispy fried falafel balls with chickpeas, herbs, and warm spices. Classic Middle Eastern vegetarian patties served in pita with fresh vegetables and tahini sauce.

Hummus Me Tahini

Authentic hummus me tahini: chickpeas pushed through a sieve and whipped with tahini, lemon, olive oil, and garlic. Traditional Greek-Mediterranean method.

Hummus #1

Classic Middle Eastern hummus blended from chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. Topped with paprika-tinted olive oil and parsley for a smooth, creamy dip ready in 30 minutes.

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