Cilantro can come in handy in a lot of dishes and cuisines, but if you’re not careful, the herb can wilt and spoil quickly, wasting your money and ruining your meal plans.
This is the case with most herbs and, in fact, farm produce and foods in general.
We’ll share some simple tips and tricks for how to store cilantro to keep it fresh and flavorful for as long as possible.
The best way to store your cilantro is to put them in a jar filled with water, with the stems submerged and the leaves above water level, and place the jar in the refrigerator to preserve its freshness. It will keep for two to three weeks if refrigerated from the date of purchase.
Another great way to store your cilantro is to wrap it in a damp paper towel and put it in the fridge to keep it cool and fresh.
Whether you’re looking to use the herb as a garnish or a key ingredient in your next recipe, these storage methods will help you make the most of your cilantro.
How to Store Cilantro
Here, we’ll discuss two methods you can use to preserve your cilantro to keep them fresh for longer.
Method 1: Storing Cilantro in Water
With this method, you can keep your cilantro fresh for up to two weeks.
Step 1: Trim the Stems
Before storing cilantro, you’ll want to trim the stems. Use a sharp knife to cut off the bottom inch of the cilantro stems. This will remove any dirt or earth that may be attached to the herb, and will also help the cilantro to absorb water more easily.
Step 2: Place in a Jar or Glass of Water
Fill a jar or glass with enough water to cover the bottom inch of the cilantro stems. Make sure the water is clean and fresh.
Place the cilantro stems in the jar or glass, making sure that the leaves are above the water level. The stems should be submerged in the water.
Step 3: Cover the Top with a Plastic Bag
To keep the cilantro moist, cover the top of the jar or glass with a plastic bag. Make sure the bag is large enough to cover the cilantro completely.
You can use a rubber band or string to secure the bag in place. This will help to create a humid environment around the cilantro, which will help it to stay fresh for longer.
Step 4: Store in the Refrigerator
Place the jar or glass of cilantro in the refrigerator’s vegetable compartment. This is usually the drawer at the bottom of the refrigerator.
The temperature in the vegetable compartment is slightly cooler and the humidity is higher, which is ideal for storing herbs.
Step 5: Change the Water
Change the water every few days, or whenever it starts to look cloudy. This will help to prevent any bacteria from growing in the water, which can cause the cilantro to spoil more quickly.
When you change the water, trim the stems again to remove any slimy or wilted parts. The important thing is to keep the cilantro stems moist and prevent them from drying out.
With this method, you can keep your cilantro fresh for up to two weeks. Just be sure to check it regularly for any signs of spoilage, and discard it if you notice any wilting or yellowing of the leaves.
Method 2: Storing Cilantro in the Freezer
Step 1. Trim the stems
As in the first method, you should use a sharp knife or scissors to lop off the stems still attached. This will remove any dirt that may be attached to it, and will also make it easier to store.
Step 2. Rinse the cilantro
Before storing cilantro, you should rinse it under cool running water to remove any dirt or earth that may be clinging to the leaves. This is an important step to make sure that your cilantro stays fresh and clean.
Step 3. Shake off excess water
After rinsing the cilantro, you need to shake off any excess water or pat it dry with a paper towel. This will help to prevent the cilantro from getting too moist, which can cause it to spoil more quickly.
Step 4. Wrap in a damp paper towel
To keep the cilantro moist and fresh, you’ll want to wrap it in a damp paper towel. This will help to create a humid environment around the cilantro, which will help it to stay fresh for longer.
Step 5. Store in a plastic bag
Once you’ve wrapped the cilantro in a damp paper towel, place it in a plastic bag. This will help to protect the cilantro from getting too dry or exposed to any other odors or contaminants in your refrigerator.
Step 5. Store in the refrigerator
It’s important to store cilantro in the refrigerator, as this will help to keep it cool and prevent it from spoiling.
You’ll want to store the bag of cilantro in the vegetable compartment of your refrigerator, where the temperature is slightly cooler and the humidity is higher.
The highlight of this method is to wrap the cilantro in a damp paper towel to keep it moist and fresh.
And there you have it: how to store cilantro.
Can You Freeze Cilantro?
Yes, you can freeze cilantro. Freezing cilantro is a great way to keep it fresh even for longer.
Some people ask, is it better to freeze cilantro in oil or water? You can do both, but it’s better to freeze cilantro in olive oil.
Watch the video below for how to freeze cilantro in olive oil.
- Finely chop the cilantro.
- Add the chopped cilantro to a blender and also add half a cup of olive oil to the blender.
- Turn on the blender to blend the cilantro and olive oil together.
- Keep a close eye on the cilantro while blending and stop blending when it becomes coarsely chopped to prevent it from becoming a paste.
- Pour in a crate and place it in the freezer.
Freezing your cilantro can keep it for a long time. However, it may not be as flavorful and taste as “cilantro” as it was when fresh.
What to Do With Fresh Cilantro Before It Goes Bad?
If you have leftover cilantro that you’re unwilling or unable to store:
Make herb butter: Mix chopped cilantro with softened butter and a pinch of salt to create a flavorful herb butter that can be used on bread, vegetables, or as a finishing touch to grilled meats.
Add it to salads: Sprinkle chopped cilantro into your favorite salad for an extra burst of flavor and freshness.
Make salsa: Combine chopped tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, lime juice, and cilantro to make a delicious salsa that can be used as a dip or topping for tacos, burritos, or grilled meats.
Make a marinade: Combine chopped cilantro, garlic, lime juice, and olive oil to create a flavorful marinade for chicken, beef, or fish.
Freeze it: If you can’t use up your cilantro before it goes bad, chop it up and freeze it for later use. Frozen cilantro can be added directly to recipes without the need to thaw it first.
You can get creative and experiment with different recipes to make the most of the herb.
How do you keep cilantro fresh in the fridge?
To keep your cilantro fresh in the fridge, follow these steps:
- Trim the ends of the cilantro stems to remove any earth clinging to it and allow it to absorb water more easily.
- Fill a jar or glass with about an inch of water.
- Place the cilantro stems in the water. Make sure only the stems are submerged and not the leaves.
- Cover the cilantro loosely with a plastic bag and place the jar or glass in the refrigerator.
Make sure to change the water every few days to prevent the cilantro from becoming slimy and it’ll keep for up to two weeks.
How do you store cilantro long-term?
If you want to store cilantro long-term, one way is to freeze it. First, wash and chop the cilantro, then pat it dry with a paper towel.
Next, place the cilantro in an airtight container or freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing it.
Label and date the container or bag, and then place it in the freezer. Frozen cilantro can last up to six months.
How do you preserve cilantro for later use?
One way to preserve cilantro for later use is to make cilantro paste. To do this, blend washed and dried cilantro leaves in a food processor with a little bit of water and some salt until it becomes a smooth paste. You can then transfer the paste to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.
Another way to preserve cilantro is to make cilantro oil. Finely chop washed and dried cilantro and mix it with olive oil. Pour the mixture into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.
Wrapping Up
As shown in the post, you can store cilantro by freezing it; by submerging the stems in water; or by chopping your coriander leaves, mixing the chopped leaves with olive oil, and placing it in the refrigerator or freezer.
Image source: BrooklynFarmGirl