Want to keep that bunch of fresh cilantro you bought for longer than a few days? Here's how to store cilantro so it lasts longer along with new recipes and ideas for how to use up this fresh herb so it doesn’t go to waste.
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Total Time 10 minutesminutes
Servings 4servings
Calories 1kcal
Ingredients
1bunchcilantro
water
Instructions
In a Plastic Bag
Trim off the tip ends of the stalks, wrap the ends of the stalk with a damp paper towel and return to plastic bag from store or into a reusable storage bag.
Tie it loosely and store in the produce drawer of the refrigerator. Try to keep it away from cold spots in the fridge where it may freeze.
In Jar of Water
First, trim the ends of the stems off.
Fill a glass jar with about an inch of water and place the bunch of cilantro stems down into the glass.
Cover the leaves loosely with a plastic bag and store in the refrigerator.
Change the water every few days and remove leaves as they start to change color.
In a Container
Cut the stalks off and discard unless you plan to use them.
Pick through the cilantro and remove any long stems that remain and any leaves that are not fresh-looking.
Place the cilantro leaves in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Move them around to clean off any dirt on the cilantro.
Transfer to a colander and allow the cilantro to drain off the excess water.
When it isn’t dripping anymore, lay it out in a single layer on a towel-lined baking sheet and let it dry for an hour or two. You can do this at room temperature if it isn’t too hot or in the refrigerator.
When the cilantro is dry, transfer it to an airtight container lined with a paper towel and cover well.
Store it in the refrigerator for future use. It should last 2-3 weeks but you may need to check it every few days to change the paper towel and remove any leaves that are turning.
Notes
Freshest flavor. The leaves are the best parts to use. Stems may be used in stews and soups but not in fresh or quickly cooked preparations.Store cilantro completely dry. The most important step in storing this herb is making sure that once clean, it's stored completely dry.Check it in the refrigerator occasionally. When storing it for longer periods of time, be sure to check on them frequently and remove any leaves with black spots or yellowish-brown discoloration to keep the rest fresh longer.Add at end of cooking. For the best flavor from the cilantro leaves, it’s a good idea to add them at the end of cooking.