How to keep Cilantro Fresh

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

If you’re wondering how to keep cilantro fresh, here are a few tips that can help. Cilantro is a delicate herb that can quickly wilt and lose its flavor, so it’s important to store it properly.

What is Cilantro?

Cilantro, also known as Chinese Parsley, is a widely used herb made from the leaves and stems of the coriander plant. It is highly aromatic and is a favorite ingredient in many global cuisines, including Indian, Chinese, Mexican, and Mediterranean. Cilantro’s vibrant flavor profile adds a fresh and citrusy note to dishes, making it a versatile herb that can enhance both savory and sweet recipes

How to Use Cilantro :

Cilantro is perfect for salsas like Pico de Gallo, Tomatillo Salsa Verde
A topping for soups like Pozole, Menudo, and Enchiladas
Great for salads, burritos, Mexican Street Corn, and tacos.

It’s a real struggle for me to see cilantro go to waste – I mean, it’s the star of my Mexican dishes like stews, salsa, tacos… you name it! Picture this: I open my fridge all excited for some pico de gallo and chips, only to find sad, mushy cilantro staring back at me! But fear not, I’ve uncovered some fantastic cilantro-saving hacks to share with you. Here’s the scoop on storing cilantro and my thrilling discoveries

Get The Latest recipes sent straight to your inbox weekly

I use three different methods for Cilantro storage:

Refrigerator

Freezing

Drying

How to Store Cilantro in the Refrigerator:

Refrigerator: Place cilantro in a glass of water and cover it loosely with a plastic storage bag. Place the stem ends of the herbs into the water in the jar, I use a large mason jar. Water should only cover the stems, not the leaves.

How long can you keep Cilantro in the refrigerator?

You can keep fresh cilantro ready to use in your refrigerator for about two weeks or longer and change the water every few days. Snip off what you need from the cilantro bunch and recover the jar.

Can I freeze Cilantro for longer storage?

Yup! Here are 2 ways to freeze Cilantro

Freeze cilantro sprigs in freezer bags: To freeze, wash, and drain whole sprigs, then pat dry with paper towels. Place a few sprigs at a time into small plastic freezer bags and freeze. Date and label bags.
Cilantro/Olive oil puree cubes: Place cilantro and olive oil (adjust oil as needed) in a blender…puree, then place in an ice cube tray. Freeze overnight, then transfer cubes to a large freezer bag. Use cubes as needed. Date and label bag.

Cilantro will last in the freezer for up to six months for sprigs and cubes.

Tip: Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the bag

How to dry Cilantro: Three easy ways to dry Cilantro

Oven Drying:

Wash cilantro thoroughly from any dirt or debris.
Set your oven to 250°F, and prepare cilantro on the baking dish.
Coat the baking sheet with baking spray,
Strip leaves off the stem and place on a sprayed baking sheet.
Spread leaves out evenly on the baking sheet in a single layer.
Let the leaves dry out in the oven for 20-30 minutes.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven, and allow it to cool. Scrape leaves from the baking sheet.
Store the dried cilantro leaves in an airtight container.
Dried cilantro can be stored for up to 3 years in a sealed, airtight container.

Hang Drying:

After you pat the cilantro dry, gather the bunch together and use a piece of string or twine to tie the ends together securely so they can be hung to dry.

Tie a knot about 1 inch away from the end of the bunch so the stems will stay bound together as the plant dries. The knot needs to be tight enough to hold the bunch even after the stems shrink during the drying process

It’s optional to tie a brown paper bag around the herbs to catch any cilantro leaves that may dry and fall off as they dry.