Cilantro is a fragrant herb that adds a burst of flavor and color to many dishes, such as salsa, guacamole, curry, and soup. However, cilantro is also known for wilting and spoiling quickly, which can be frustrating and wasteful if you don’t use it all at once. Fortunately, there are some simple and effective ways to store cilantro and extend its shelf life. In this article, Trendbbq will show you how to store cilantro in the fridge, freezer, or drying using different methods. We will also give you some tips on how to choose, wash, and use cilantro.
1. How to store cilantro in fridge
The refrigerator is the best place to store fresh cilantro for up to two weeks. There are two main methods to store cilantro in the refrigerator: in a glass of water or in a plastic bag.
1.1. In a Glass of Water – How to keep cilantro fresh
- Prep the Cilantro: Start by giving your cilantro a gentle rinse under cold water. Once it’s clean, use paper towels to pat it dry.
- Trim the Stems: To help the cilantro stay fresh, use a sharp knife or scissors to trim off about an inch from the bottom of the stems.
- Get a Glass or Jar: Find a glass or jar and add about an inch or two of cold water to it. Now, place your cilantro into the container, making sure the stems are pointing downward into the water.
- Protect with a Bag: To maintain freshness, drape a plastic bag loosely over the leaves. You can secure it in place with a rubber band or some tape.
- Refresh the Water: Every few days, or whenever the water starts to look cloudy, it’s a good idea to change it out. This keeps the cilantro in tip-top shape.
1.2. In a Plastic Bag – How to store fresh cilantro
If you want to keep your cilantro fresh and vibrant, here’s a technique that works much like the way you’d store lettuce or spinach in a salad spinner. It’s all about ensuring your cilantro stays dry and free from any pesky mold. Here’s how you can go about it:
- Begin by giving your cilantro a gentle rinse under cold water. Let it shake off any excess moisture.
- Now, the key is to wrap your cilantro in paper towels. A gentle squeeze will help eliminate any remaining moisture.
- Find a resealable plastic bag and place your cilantro inside it. Make sure to press out as much air as possible before sealing the bag.
- For the final step, tuck the bag into the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.
2. How to Store Cilantro in the Freezer – Best way to store cilantro
This is considered one of the most popular ways because most families have refrigerators. With this method, clean the Cilantro before freezing it. Next, use a paper towel to dry it thoroughly and then put it in a box to keep fresh or use plastic wrap.
Besides, this method will not lose the inherent flavor of the vegetable because cilantro will withstand quite low temperatures of about -9 degrees. Every time you want to use cilantro, just take it out of the freezer, defrost it, and use as usual.
3. How to Store Cilantro by Drying
This way of preserving cilantro is very suitable for households that do not use a refrigerator. Preserving Cilantro by drying is very popular with farmers because they grow a lot of it and cannot eat it all at once. In addition, they also preserve other vegetables this way and take them out for later use.
With this method, you still have to clean the vegetables first, then blanch the vegetables in boiling water with baking soda for about 2 seconds to ensure the green color of the vegetables. Note, you should only add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to avoid crushing the vegetables when blanching.
Next, you should take the vegetables out into cold water to keep them crispy. If there are hooks or strings, take them out and spread the vegetables evenly. And you can leave them in a cool place to dry. When the vegetables are dry, you can store them in a sealed bag and take them out and use them directly on the dish.
4. How to Store Cilantro with Newspaper
With this way of keeping cilantro fresh, when handling the vegetable, you just need to thoroughly wash off the mud and dirt on the vegetable without having to cut off the roots. Next, you must dry the vegetables before storing them with newspaper. Then put the vegetables in newspaper, wrap it up, and store it in the refrigerator.
This way of preserving fresh cilantro is very simple and easy to do, very suitable for vegetables commonly used in food preparation such as cilantro and cilantro.
In addition, this way to save cilantro can ensure the freshness and eye-catching color of vegetables for about 7 to 10 days. Preserving with newspaper will not lose the nutritional content of vegetables. You can replace newspaper with kitchen toilet paper.
Through the above article, Trendbbq has shared with you 4 quick and convenient ways to store Cilantro. Wishing you success when applying the above 4 best ways to store cilantro. Let’s implement these methods right away!
5. FAQs
5.1. How long does cilantro last?
In the refrigerator, cilantro usually lasts 1 to 2 weeks. Another way is to freeze or dry for longer storage.
5.2. How do you store cilantro?
Store cilantro in the refrigerator, break off the tops and place in a jar with water at the bottom, cover the leaves with a plastic bag and place in the refrigerator. Either freeze or dry for longer storage.
5.3. How to preserve cilantro in the fridge?
Place the cilantro tops in a jar with water at the bottom, cover the leaves with a plastic bag, and store in the refrigerator.
>>> See more: How to Ripen Avocados Fast: Quick and Easy Methods
