How To Store Fresh Cilantro?

Last Updated on 25th July 2023 by

Cilantro is a herb that has immense health benefits. It has vitamins A, C, and K. It can be  used as a garnish or as an ingredient in various dishes.

Cilantro has a high amount of water content. If kept outside, the warm air will absorb moisture from the cilantro. That is why cilantro wilts within a short span of time, which results in having to throw it away. But you can easily extend its shelf life by keeping the cilantro at a temperature lower than room temperature. 

This article will discuss how to store fresh cilantro in more detail, which will help in keeping cilantro fresh for a more extended period. 

How To Store Cilantro In Fridge?

How To Store Cilantro In Freezer?

When you freeze cilantro, you can extend its shelf life for several months. However, the leaves will not remain fresh. So you cannot use them for garnishing, but you can use them as an ingredient in several dishes.

There are two methods to store cilantro in a freezer. But both methods involve cleaning the leaves of cilantro properly in cold water in order to remove all the dust followed by drying. You need to dry the leaves thoroughly with a paper towel.

First Method 

The first method involves freezing cilantro in a cubical form. You need to grind the cilantro with a food processor or mixer along with adding some water or olive oil. Then pour the mixture into an ice tray and freeze it.

Once it freezes, remove the cubes from the ice tray and put them in a plastic seal bag. Then put the bag of cubes in the freezer. You can add these cubes to juice, soups, or your favorite dishes, which enhances the flavor of your beverages or meals.

Second Method

The second method involves putting the leaves of cilantro in a freezer bag. First, take out all the leaves from the stem of the cilantro. Your leaves should be dehydrated.

Then, you need to take two freezer bags and place one freezer bag inside the other. Put the dry leaves of cilantro inside the inner bag and then seal tightly. Then keep the freezer bag inside the freezer. Whenever you need leaves, remove some leaves from the bag and then put it back in the freezer.

How To Cut Cilantro

First, I would start by thoroughly washing the cilantro to remove any dirt or debris. I typically do this by placing the bunch of cilantro in a large bowl of water and swishing it around a bit. This helps to dislodge any bits of soil that might be stuck to the leaves or stems. I would then take the cilantro out of the water and gently shake off any excess. I prefer to dry it by laying it out on a clean kitchen towel and patting it dry, making sure to remove as much water as possible to prevent it from getting mushy when I cut it.

After drying the cilantro, I would gather it into a bunch and hold it on a chopping board. Depending on the recipe, I might decide to include the stems or not. The stems of cilantro have a lot of flavor, so they can be used in many recipes. However, if the texture of the stems is not desirable for the particular dish I’m preparing, I would remove the leaves from the stems. To do this, I’d hold the bottom of the stem in one hand and use my other hand to gently strip the leaves off the stem from bottom to top.

If I decided to use the entire cilantro, stems included, I’d still remove any long, bottom parts of the stem that don’t have much leaf coverage. I would then gather the cilantro into a bunch and begin cutting it. I’d hold the cilantro firmly (but not so tight that it’s crushed) with my non-dominant hand and use a sharp knife in my dominant hand to slice the cilantro. I’d start at the end closest to me and slice away from my body, moving the knife in a rocking motion. This will help to cut the cilantro evenly.

When cutting, I’d make sure to use smooth and steady movements, letting the sharpness of the knife do the work. Depending on how finely chopped I want the cilantro to be, I may go over the chopped bunch a few times.

After chopping the cilantro to my desired size, I would either use it immediately in my recipe or store it in the refrigerator if I’m not using it right away. It’s worth noting that cilantro tends to lose its flavour relatively quickly after being cut, so it’s generally best to cut it close to when you plan to use it.

How To Store Cut Cilantro?

How To Store Chopped Cilantro?

Conclusion

Cilantro has many health benefits. It can lower blood sugar levels, reduces weight, and is good for our vision, immune system, etc…. Cilantro also helps in enhancing the flavor of any dish or drink. You need to store cilantro properly to improve its shelf life.

I hope this article has guided you on how to store fresh cilantro. 

Comment below your suggestions on cooking with cilantro!

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