How to Keep Cilantro Fresh + 12 Ways to Use Cilantro

How to Keep Cilantro Fresh – This simple tip can keep your cilantro fresh up to 2 weeks or more. No more wasted money or wasted cilantro!

Cilantro is one of my all-time favorite fresh herbs. I’m lucky not to have the genetic predisposition to taste something soapy (that’s a real thing!). It goes well in so many different types of cuisine, from fresh salsa, to slow cooker butter chicken, to avocado ranch dressing, to chili, and more. Cilantro is nearly always in my fridge. I just love it.

What I don’t love is wasting money. Before I learned how to properly store cilantro, I wasted a LOT of herbs. Even though I can get a bunch for fifty cents to a dollar, I hate wasting food and it was always so depressing to open my veggie drawer, pull out the cilantro for my recipe, only to find a mushy, wilted mess. So, here’s my easy solution:

I store it like flowers.

That’s it! I’ve shared this simple tip more times than I can count, but I wanted to share again in case you’re new or you’ve missed it. I simply wash and pat dry a fresh bunch of cilantro, fill a jar or glass with water and put the cilantro in the jar. I cover it with a loose plastic bag (this keeps it from absorbing other flavors from the fridge and helps prevent too much moisture loss). Then, I change the water every few days (like 1-2 times a week, tops).

Stored this way, a bunch of cilantro will keep fresh and vibrant AT LEAST one week, but almost always two weeks. No more wasting food, no more wasted money. Just fresh, bright flavor you can add to any dish. It doesn’t get easier thanthat!

Now that you know how to keep cilantro fresh, here are 12 ways you can use it (find even more ideas here)…

12 Ways to Use Cilantro:

1. Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice Soup
2. Avocado Ranch
3. Roasted Breakfast Potatoes and Veggies
4. Thai Sweet Chili and Lime Salmon
5. Zucchini Noodle Stir-Fry with Black Pepper Sauce
6. Chicken Lettuce Wraps
7. Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
8. Cilantro Hummus
9. Spring Roll Quinoa Salad with Peanut Drizzle
10. My Favorite Fresh Salsa
11. Shrimp Curry in Creamy Coconut Sauce
12. Chicken Zucchini Poppers

What’s your favorite way to eat cilantro?
Any recipes I should try?