How to Store Fresh Cilantro (Keep It Fresh Longer)
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Cilantro seems to go from fresh to soggy overnight in my refrigerator, and I finally got tired of throwing half a bunch away every time I bought it.
After testing a few different ways to store it, this simple refrigerator method has become my go-to for keeping cilantro fresh longer. It takes less than a minute to set up and helps keep cilantro crisp and ready for dips, tacos, salads, and summer recipes.
My family loves Mexican food, and, in my opinion, no Mexican recipe is complete without fresh cilantro. It is the ultimate topper to any taco, burrito, or guacamole. On the same token, there is nothing quite so upsetting as preparing a delicious taco night full of Spanish rice, reaching for the cilantro, and seeing a bag of mush. This is my tried and true method to store cilantro so that it lasts weeks – not just days in the fridge – and hopefully saves you the devastation of no cilantro on your Mexican food.
Love easy kitchen tips and recipes? Try these next:
Summer salads
Pico de Gallo
Salsa
Taco recipes
Cilantro Lime Rice
Best Way to Store Fresh Cilantro
Supplies for Storing Fresh Cilantro
- Scissors
- Small cup or mason jar
- Water
- Plastic bag
How to Store Cilantro in the Refrigerator
- Cut the stems in a straight cut – just like you would a bouquet of flowers.
- Remove any leaves and stems that are mushy
- Fill a small cup halfway with “cold” fresh water
- Place cilantro stems into the water
- Put the cup of cilantro on a shelf in your refrigerator
- Cover it with a plastic bag – I like to use the bag from the produce section of the market
Tips for Keeping Cilantro Fresh Longer
- Your cilantro should stay fresh for weeks when stored in the way I showed you
- After a couple of weeks, you can cut the stems again to add more life to the plants
- periodically change the water out with fresh water
- When cilantro becomes mushy, turns black, and is soggy, it is going bad
- Store cilantro upright and avoid letting the leaves sit in water
Ways to Use Fresh Cilantro
- Easy corn and black bean salsa
- Mexican Street Corn
- Hearty Meatless Chili
- Spicy Jalapeno and Cilantro Deviled Eggs
- Tuna Pasta Salad
How to Store Cilantro
Materials
- Fresh cilantro
- Small cup or jar
- Water
- Plastic produce bag or baggie
Instructions
- Trim the cilantro stems with a straight cut.
- Fill a small cup halfway with fresh water.
- Place cilantro stems into the water.
- Cover loosely with a produce bag.
- Store upright in the refrigerator.
- Change water as needed and trim stems again after a couple of weeks.
Notes
- Replace water every few days.
- Remove mushy leaves as needed.
- Store leaves above the water line.
