How to Store Cilantro in the Refrigerator
Tip
When you are ready to use your cilantro, if you find that it is somewhat wilted, soak it for 20 or 30 minutes in an ice water bath to reconstitute it. Fill a shallow dish or bowl with cold water, add five to 10 ice cubes and allow your cilantro to soak. Pat the leaves dry before use.
Fresh herbs can make a big difference when it comes to cooking, but some cooks have a hard time keeping freshly cut herbs from wilting. Some herbs, like cilantro and parsley, have the most flavor when they are cut just before use. In order to preserve that fresh cilantro taste in your recipes, store your cilantro in the refrigerator. If you prepare your cilantro properly before storing it, you can keep it tasting fresh for up to two weeks.
Cut stalks of cilantro from your garden or purchase a bunch of cilantro from the produce section of your grocery store. If you intend to store your cilantro rather than using it all immediately, be sure to keep the leaves on the stems rather than plucking the individual leaves from the plant.
Snip the ends off the cilantro stems with a pair of kitchen scissors. As is true of fresh-cut flowers, cutting the stems will help the cilantro to take up water which will make its freshness last.
- Fresh herbs can make a big difference when it comes to cooking, but some cooks have a hard time keeping freshly cut herbs from wilting.
- If you intend to store your cilantro rather than using it all immediately, be sure to keep the leaves on the stems rather than plucking the individual leaves from the plant.
Fill a small jar or drinking glass with several inches of fresh water. The jar or glass does not need to be large but it should be tall enough to support your bunch of cilantro.
Place the cilantro stems into the water in the jar. Check that the water level in the jar is not so high that it soaks the leaves, or your cilantro may begin to wilt and rot. If the leaves of your cilantro are already damp, or if you have chosen to rinse it, pat the leaves dry with a paper towel before putting it into the jar.
Put the jar of cilantro into the refrigerator and cover it loosely with a plastic bag. Cilantro does best in cooler temperatures, so if you notice your cilantro beginning to wilt after a few days, lower the temperature in your refrigerator by a few degrees.
- Fill a small jar or drinking glass with several inches of fresh water.
- Check that the water level in the jar is not so high that it soaks the leaves, or your cilantro may begin to wilt and rot.
Check the water in the jar every few days. If it becomes discolored, replace it with fresh water. Keep your cilantro in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
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Writer Bio
Katherine Barrington has written on a variety of topics, from arts and crafts to pets, health and do-it-yourself projects. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English with a creative writing concentration from Marietta College.
