Running low on fresh parsley? Here are the best verified substitutes, including how to adjust your measurements.

About fresh parsley
Fresh parsley is a bright, clean-flavoured herb used extensively in both European and Middle Eastern cooking. It comes in two main varieties — flat-leaf (Italian) and curly — with flat-leaf being preferred by most cooks for its more robust, peppery flavour. It functions as both a primary flavouring ingredient and a finishing garnish, adding colour and freshness to a wide range of dishes.
Best substitute
Chervil shares parsley's mild, grassy character with a subtle anise note, making it the closest flavour substitute. It wilts quickly so add it at the last moment just as you would parsley.
Alternative
Coriander (cilantro) provides a similar fresh, leafy appearance and comparable moisture content, though its flavour is distinctly citrusy and more assertive. Best used in dishes where its bold character complements the other ingredients, such as Asian, Mexican, or Middle Eastern recipes.
| Country | Name |
|---|---|
| Australia | fresh parsley |
| United Kingdom | fresh parsley |
| United States | fresh parsley |
Alternative
Dried parsley retains some of the herb's flavour but loses most of its fresh, grassy brightness and all of its visual appeal as a garnish. It works adequately when stirred into cooked dishes but should never be used as a finishing garnish in place of fresh.
Alternative
The tender inner leaves of celery have a mild, slightly bitter, herbaceous flavour that mimics parsley's savoury depth reasonably well. They work best finely chopped and stirred into cooked dishes rather than used raw as a garnish.
Alternative
Fresh basil offers a bright green colour and fresh herbaceous quality similar to parsley, though its sweet, anise-like flavour profile is quite different. It works as a visual and textural substitute in Mediterranean dishes where both herbs are at home, but will noticeably change the flavour.