Here is the ultimate guide on how to store Cilantro in the fridge, along with tips and tricks on how to buy, clean, cut, and use in recipes. Learn how to keep this vibrantly soft green herb fresh for weeks!
I don't think there is any other herb in the world I use more often than cilantro. It's a staple of Indian and global cuisine alike.
For this reason, we have a couple of cilantro plants in our vegetable garden. Which means I always have tons of cilantro on hand and consider myself a pro at storing it.
And when stored correctly, this magical herb stays fresh for 3-4 weeks in the fridge. Don't believe me? Keep reading to learn more!
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What is Cilantro
Cilantro is a herb from the leaves of the coriander plant (Coriandrum sativum). It is a member of the parsley family, and is sometimes referred to as Mexican or Chinese parsley.
The leaves are soft and tender, with young stems and the seeds themselves are used to make coriander spice.
It's a herb used extensively in Indian, Asian, Mexican and Middle Eastern recipes. Most commonly you see it used as a garnish in Indian recipes, and as an ingredient in Indian chutneys, Mexican salsa and Cilantro Lime rice.
Are Coriander and Cilantro the Same Thing?
A common question I get from readers - Is Coriander Cilantro? My answer - Yes and No. This often depends on where you live.
In the United States, cilantro refers to the leaves of the plant whereas coriander refers to the seeds.
In the U.K. and other parts of the world, coriander is used to refer to the leaves and seeds. The leaves are most often referred to as fresh coriander leaves and the seeds are known as coriander powder or spice.
What Does it Taste Like?
Fresh cilantro is bright, fresh and slightly lemon-y. The flavor is much more pronounced when it is raw rather than cooked, which is why it is often used as a finishing garnish in recipes or salads.
Why does cilantro taste like soap? For those people who believe the plant tastes like soap, the issue is all in genetics. These people have a variation in their receptor genes that allows them to taste the natural soapy-flavored aldehydes in cilantro leaves.
How to Buy
The best way to ensure your cilantro lasts for weeks is to purchase the freshest cilantro available. Look for it in the produce section, right next to the parsley. And follow these tips on how to buy:
- The leaves should be smooth and bright green, with no signs of yellowing.
- The stems should hold up easily in your hand.
- It should smell fresh and slightly citrus-y.
How to Clean Cilantro?
Fresh cilantro is often very sandy, so it's best to clean it as soon as you get home from the grocery store. Because the leaves and stems are so tender, I like to wash it in a large bowl (such as my salad spinner) of cold water.
Change the water once or twice and wash again, until no more grit remains.
How to Dry Cilantro?
As soon as the cilantro is washed clean, spin in a salad spinner. Alternatively, drain it in a large sieve and shake off the excess water.
Lay it out in one single layer on a paper towel to air dry.
How to Cut Cilantro?
Now, on to the fun part! If you're wondering how do you cut cilantro or how to cut up cilantro, read through the steps below.
1. Trim off the Stems
Grab the bunch of washed cilantro and lay it out on your cutting board. Cut off the large woody stems, at the point where the leaves start to grow.
Cooking Tip: Save the stems for broths. Alternatively, finely chop them and add them to longer cooking recipes like Chana Masala, Lamb Korma and Dhaba Keema.
2. Chop Cilantro
Cut the cilantro leaves from one end of the bunch to the other, using a gentle rocking motion with a knife. Roughly or finely chop to your desired consistency.
How to Store Cilantro in the Fridge?
Let's explore how to store fresh cilantro in the fridge. The same method applies for any green leafy herb, like parsley and mint, too. Here are a few different methods I follow:
Store in the Fridge Without Washing
Simply wrap the unwashed cilantro bunch in a clean paper towel and place in a plastic storage bag. The cilantro will keep for up to 1 week.
Store in the Fridge in a Mason Jar
Once washed and dried, place the whole cilantro in a mason jar filled with an inch or two of cold water (just like flowers). Then cover it loosely with a plastic bag and store in the fridge. This is best when you want to cut off the leaves as needed. The cilantro should last for up to 1 week.
Store Whole Cilantro in the Fridge (My Preferred Method)
Spread the washed and dried whole cilantro out onto a layer or two of clean paper towels, making sure not to smoosh down. Gently fold it twice to wrap the cilantro.
Add the wrapped cilantro to an airtight container and cover with the paper towel. Seal tight and place in the fridge. The cilantro should last up to 3 weeks! (Note: For best results, make sure to change the paper towel after 1 ½ weeks. And if you see any brown or bruised leaves, remove them as well).
Store Chopped Cilantro in the Fridge
Spread the chopped cilantro out onto a layer or two of clean paper towels as loosely as possible.
Place in an airtight container and seal tight. It should last for up to 2 weeks.
How to Refresh Cilantro? If your cilantro looks wilted and soft, place it in a bowl of ice-cold water for 2 minutes. Drain and dry it and you'll have fresh and crisp cilantro in minutes!
Can You Freeze Cilantro?
I don't recommend freezing cilantro. Cilantro has a ton of natural enzymes that will decompose it in the freezer.
However, if you happen to have a lot of it, think of making chutneys and salad dressings that you can freeze and use for later.
Benefits of Cilantro
According to Healthline, cilantro packs in many health benefits including that it:
- Is rich in antioxidants, which protect against oxidative stress and are good for the immune system
- Has anti-inflammatory properties, which supports brain health
- Helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which is good for heart health
- Exhibits antimicrobial effects, which can rid the body of heavy metals and help fight infections
- Settles digestive issues and promotes gut health
How to Use Cilantro in Recipes
Cilantro is used across multiple cuisines, including Indian, Thai, Mexican, Ethiopian, just to name a few. It is used as a garnish, as well a key ingredient in making spice pastes and flavor bases.
Apart from using it as a garnish for curries, stir-fries, dal and various other dishes, I also like to make dressings, pesto and chutneys. Some of my favorite condiments featuring cilantro include Green Chutney, Cilantro Jalapeno Sauce and Cilantro Coconut Chutney.
And it is impossible to think of Mexican cuisine without cilantro- right! I use to make Pico De Gallo, Cilantro Lime Rice, Avocado dressing, just to name a few.
Cilantro Substitute: To replace cilantro when used as a garnish or finishing touch, use an equal amount of parsley, tarragon, dill or a combination of all three. Dried cilantro does not have nearly as much flavor.
Tips on How to Keep Cilantro Fresh
- Sort through the cilantro and remove yellow or wilted leaves. The rotting leaves will actually make the cilantro rot even faster.
- Dry the cilantro thoroughly. If the leaves are left with too much water, they will wilt and rot quickly.
- Store cilantro whole rather than chopped. Washed and dried whole cilantro will keep for a few weeks longer than pre-chopped cilantro.
- Store with a paper towel. This traps moisture and prevents the cilantro from becoming moldy or slimy.
- Change out the paper towel after 10-14 days. This keeps the remaining cilantro as fresh as when you brought it home. Check again for wilted leaves and discard those too.
FAQs
Yes, but the last 2-3 inches of cilantro stems are often too woodsy and bitter. I usually discard the last few inches of the stems and finely chop the rest for longer cooking recipes like soups, stews and curries.
Yes you can. To do so, spread it on an oven rack and place it on a baking sheet. Keep it in a cool, dry corner and let it dry out completely. It takes 4-6 days. Once dried, transfer it to an air tight container and store in a dry area. Note: It will get crumbly at this stage. You can add it during cooking, but I wouldn't recommend using it as a garnish.
Washed and dried is my favorite way. Ready for use in a variety of recipes. It also stays fresh for 1-2 weeks longer than chopped cilantro.
The cilantro will last a few weeks longer when washed before storing. That being said, it is perfectly okay to store unwashed cilantro for a few days if you are short on time.
More Cooking 101 Recipes
This post is part of my Cooking 101 Series & Meal Prep. Here are similar posts which readers find useful:
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📖 Recipe
How to Store Cilantro
Ingredients
- 1 bunch cilantro
Instructions
How to Clean Cilantro
- Wash cilantro in a large bowl (such as a salad spinner) of cold water. Change the water once or twice and wash again, until no more grit remains.
How to Dry Cilantro
- As soon as the cilantro is washed clean, spin in a salad spinner. Alternatively, drain it in a large sieve and shake off the excess water.
- Lay it out in one single layer on a paper towel to air dry.
How to Chop Cilantro
- Grab the bunch of washed cilantro and lay it out on your cutting board. Cut off the large woody stems, at the point where the leaves start to grow.
- Cut the cilantro leaves from one end of the bunch to the other, using a gentle rocking motion with a knife. Roughly or finely chop to your desired consistency.
How to Store Cilantro in the Fridge
- Without Washing: Wrap the unwashed cilantro bunch in a clean paper towel and place in a plastic storage bag. The cilantro will keep for up to 1 week.
- Mason Jar: Place the whole cilantro in a mason jar filled with an inch or two of cold water (just like flowers). Then cover it loosely with a plastic bag and store in the fridge. This is best when you want to cut off the leaves as needed. The cilantro should last for up to 1 week.
How to Store Whole Cilantro (Preferred Method)
- Spread the washed and dried whole cilantro out onto a layer or two of clean paper towels, making sure not to smoosh down. Gently fold it twice to wrap the cilantro.
- Add the wrapped cilantro to an airtight container and cover with the paper towel. Seal tight and place in the fridge. The cilantro should last up to 3 weeks! (Note: For best results, make sure to change the paper towel after 1 ½ weeks. And if you see any brown or bruised leaves, remove them as well).
How to Store Chopped Cilantro
- Spread the chopped cilantro out onto a layer or two of clean paper towels as loosely as possible.
- Place in an airtight container and seal tight. It should last for up to 2 weeks.
Video
Notes
- Sort through the cilantro and remove yellow or wilted leaves. The rotting leaves will actually make the cilantro rot even faster.
- Dry the cilantro thoroughly. If the leaves are left with too much water, they will wilt and rot quickly.
- Store cilantro whole rather than chopped. Washed and dried whole cilantro will keep for a few weeks longer than pre-chopped cilantro.
- Store with a paper towel. This traps moisture and prevents the cilantro from becoming moldy or slimy.
- Change out the paper towel after 10-14 days. This keeps the remaining cilantro as fresh as when you brought it home. Check again for wilted leaves and discard those too.
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