With just a couple of easy steps, you’ll have freshly chopped dill for garnishes, dips, hot and cold dishes and more, with this easy tutorial for how to chop dill. Dill weed is a fantastic option if you are looking for a pop of flavor in your dish.
If you have only purchased dried dill until now, the idea of selecting and chopping fresh dill may feel rather intimidating. But you can easily prepare and store it properly to unlock its fullest flavor.
When you're finished, try using it in my dill pickle cream cheese, easy red lentil dill soup and honey dill sauce.
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What You Will Need
- fresh dill - Be sure to select the best leaves and stems for consumption (very green and fresh).
- cutting board - To protect your countertop.
- sharp knife - You can use a chef’s knife, rocker knife or your favorite chopping knife, etc.
- Kitchen scissors - This is optional, to remove the large stems.
Instructions
Follow these easy instructions for how to chop dill, step by step:
Step 1. Transfer the dill to a strainer and wash it under cool, running water to remove dirt and/or other residue.
Step 2. Transfer the rinsed dill to a clean fabric towel and pat it dry carefully.
Step 3. Remove the large stems using kitchen scissors or your hands. Thin, small stems are okay to leave.
Step 4. Separate the stems from the leaves.
Chef's Note: You can save the stems for another use to improve the flavor of soups or other preparations.
Step 5. On a cutting board with a sharp knife, chop the dill fronds into small pieces from one end to the other.
For finer chopped dill: continue chopping, using a rocking motion back and forth.
Step 6. Your dill is now ready to use.
How to Use the Rocking Cutting Technique
Fresh Dill Uses
Use fresh, chopped dill in recipes like sunrise eggs with sea salt and dill (pictured above), this dill dip recipe for vegetables, pesto, dill salmon mousse, salads or to garnish different preparations.
Even Mediterranean flavored meatballs can benefit from the use of fresh dill.
Top Tip
Holding the knife at a slight angle will release the most flavor and aroma.
Dill Weed FAQs
Dill fronds are simply the leafy parts of the herb.
If you are storing the dill before use, refrain from rinsing it. Once dill is rinsed, it won’t last as long. For best results, choose a long storage container to fit the bundle of sprigs. Add an inch or two of water in the container, and place the dill within. Snap the lid closed and store within the fridge. With frequent water changes, your dill sprigs may last up to two weeks. You can also opt for a food saver container.
Store your freshly chopped dill in a container in the crisper drawer of the fridge for up to 1 week. You can also freeze it in freezer bags for up to 6 to 12 months.
Add the chopped dill to the cavities of an ice cube tray, about half full. Cover each cube with olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until solid. Remove from tray and add to freezer bags. They can be added directly to stir fries or meat as it's cooking.
You can use a ratio of 3:1 for fresh to dried dill. For example, for one teaspoon of dried dill, replace it with 1 tablespoon (3 teaspoons) of fresh dill. The flavor will be unparalleled when comparing it with dried dill!
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📋Recipe
How to Chop Dill
Ingredients
- 1 bunch fresh dill
Instructions
- Transfer the dill to a strainer and wash it under cool, running water to remove dirt and/or other residue.
- Transfer the rinsed dill to a clean fabric towel and pat it dry carefully.
- Remove the large stems using kitchen scissors. You can also use your hands if desired.
- Separate the stems from the leaves. You can save the stems for another use to improve flavor in soups or other preparations.
- On a cutting board with a sharp knife, chop the dill fronds into small pieces from one end to the other. For finer chopped dill, continue chopping, using a rocking motion back and forth.
- Your dill is ready to use.
Notes
- Nutrition Information: The nutrition info is for one bunch of fresh dill. This can vary depending on the size of your bunch, etc.
- Dill selection: Be sure to select the best leaves and stems for consumption (very green and fresh).
- Dill fronds: Dill fronds are simply the leafy parts of the herb.
- Type of knife: You can use a chef’s knife, rocker knife or your favorite chopping knife, etc.
- Cutting at a slight angle: Holding the knife at a slight angle will release the most flavor and aroma.
- Storage before chopping: If you are storing the dill before use, refrain from rinsing it. Once dill is rinsed, it won’t last as long. For best results, choose a long storage container to fit the bundle of sprigs. Add an inch or two of water in the container, and place the dill within. Snap the lid closed and store within the fridge. With frequent water changes, your dill sprigs may last up to two weeks.
- Storage after chopping: Store your freshly chopped dill in a container in the crisper drawer of the fridge for up to 1 week. You can also freeze it in freezer bags for up to 6 to 12 months.
- Ice cube oil storage: Add the chopped dill to the cavities of an ice cube tray, about half full. Cover each cube with olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until solid. Remove from tray and add to freezer bags. They can be added directly to stir fries or meat as it's cooking.
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
Christine says
Thank you! Not only good directions but a great tip about keeping the stems for other uses. Love it.
Joss D says
Thank you so much Christine!