How Many Calories Are in a Bunch of Parsley?

A bunch of fresh parsley (about 30 grams) contains an average of 11–13 calories. Its calorie count is low because parsley has a high water content and is usually used in small amounts. One 15 ml measure of finely chopped parsley has about 1 calorie, so parsley usually contributes very little to a dish's total calories.

How does parsley compare with dill and mint?
Parsley has about 36 calories per 100 grams, compared with 43 for dill and about 70 for fresh mint. The differences are small, although mint is somewhat higher. They rarely matter in everyday use because these herbs are generally eaten in amounts of just a few grams.

How do you estimate calories in parsley-heavy salads such as tabbouleh?
Although parsley is a main ingredient in tabbouleh, bulgur, olive oil, and lemon juice contribute most of the calories. Half a bowl (about 100 grams) of parsley-heavy tabbouleh can contain 150–180 calories when it includes one 15 ml measure of olive oil; parsley makes up only a small part of that total.

Is dried parsley different from fresh?
When parsley is dried, water evaporates, so its calorie count can reach 292 per 100 grams. A 5 ml measure of dried parsley weighs only about 1 gram, however, so this difference has little practical impact. Dried parsley has a more concentrated flavor and is usually used in smaller amounts than fresh parsley, making its calorie contribution even smaller.

What is parsley's nutritional value?
Most of the calories in a bunch of parsley come from carbohydrates and fiber; protein and fat contribute very little. Its fiber and minerals add nutritional value without increasing a dish's calories much.

Where do the calories in parsley sauces come from?
In parsley sauces such as green sauce or pesto, most calories come from olive oil and any nuts. Parsley itself adds very few. A parsley sauce made with two 15 ml measures of olive oil can contain 240 calories on its own, showing that parsley is the lowest-calorie ingredient in the mixture.

Does parsley in meatballs affect their calories?
Parsley adds only a few calories to a serving of meatballs. The meat's fat content and the cooking method have a much greater effect. Fat can drip away during grilling, so grilled meatballs may have fewer calories than fried ones; parsley does not account for this difference and mainly adds flavor and freshness.

Is a parsley omelet different from a plain omelet?
One 15 ml measure of finely chopped parsley adds no more than 1 calorie to an omelet. The number of eggs and the amount of cooking fat determine its calorie content. The difference between parsley and plain omelets is within the margin of measurement error; the main change is the color and fresh flavor.

At a glance
A bunch of parsley contains about 11–13 calories, a negligible amount in most everyday servings. Added oil and other ingredients contribute most of the calories in parsley dishes.