How to Wash and Chop Herbs: A Step-by-Step Guide
Flip through this guide on how to wash and chop leafy green herbs that will give your recipes a kick, then watch our how-to video.
Add color and kick to your recipes with leafy herbs, like cilantro and parsley.
Give Them a Spin
To wash and prep herbs, get out your salad spinner and follow our easy steps.
Shave Off the Herbs
With herbs, you usually want the leaves and can discard the stems. So first, shave the leaves off a parsley bunch and drop them into some cold water.
Swirl It
Swirl the herbs to remove dirt. Dirt settles to the bottom of the bowl. If there's a lot, repeat this step with new water.
Dry the Herbs
Next, hit the spin cycle. If you don't have a salad spinner, just pat the herbs dry with a clean towel. Now you're ready to chop.
Using a Mezzaluna
If you have a mezzaluna, this is the time to use it, or you can also just use a knife. For the mezzaluna, hold each of the handles and rock back and forth.
Rough Chop
Roughly chopped herbs are perfect for salads and marinades. You should still see the shape of the leaves at this stage.
Medium Chop
Put one hand on the top of the knife and move it along the herbs for a medium chop. Use the heel of the knife to gather your herbs. A medium cut is perfect for pastas, potatoes, rice and vegetables.
Fine Chop
A fine chop is more of the same. Continue moving your knife along the herbs to chop into even smaller pieces. You're looking for a uniform consistency that's perfect for dressings or garnish. Watch our how-to video for more.
