How to Freeze & Store Cilantro

Freeze cilantro shortly after harvesting for optimal freshness.

Cilantro is an herb that grows in Asia, South America and the Caribbean. Humans have used cilantro for thousands of years as culinary flavoring, an appetite stimulant and therapeutic ingredient. The Conquistadors introduced the people of Central America to cilantro. Soon, Central Americans began widely utilizing cilantro in their local cuisine as a compliment to spice and tart flavors. Today, as of April 2011, many Mexican dishes and sides include cilantro as a keynote herb. A small amount of cilantro goes a long way in cooking, making leftovers common. With proper preparation, you can store cilantro for up to six months in the freezer and 10 days in the refrigerator.

Things You'll Need

• Cooking scissors
• Drinking glass
• Plastic bag
• Paper towel
• Chopping Knife
• Freezer-ready zip seal bags

Instructions

Refrigerating Cilantro

1. Cut off all but the last 2 to 3 inches of each cilantro sprig stem.

2. Pour 1 inch of cool water into a drinking glass. Place the trimmed cilantro sprigs in the glass with the stems in the water.

3. Cover the juice glass with a loose plastic bag and place it in your refrigerator. Replace the glass with water if it becomes cloudy. Fresh water helps maintain the freshness of your cilantro.

4. Use your cilantro within 10 days. Prevent limpness by only washing the herbs just before chopping.

Freezing Cilantro

1. Wash your cilantro in cool water and pat completely dry with a paper towel.

2. Chop the cilantro thoroughly. The mushy consistency of thawed cilantro makes chopping difficult after the defrosting process.

3. Place the chopped cilantro into a freezer-ready zip seal plastic bag. Avoid thawing and refreezing by portioning the herb into several smaller bags if you have a large quantity.

4. Expel any excess air by flattening the bag from the bottom upward before sealing the bag opening. Place the bag in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Tips & Warnings

• Pack several smaller freezer bags, each with a different salsa ingredient. Freeze them in a larger bag for perfectly portioned salsa components any time.

• Thawed cilantro will not garnish well due to the mushy consistency. Frozen cilantro retains most of its flavor and mixes well with cooking and dip recipes.

References

• National Center for Food Preservation: Freezing Fresh Herbs
• Still Tasty: How to Freeze Cilantro
• Gourmet Sleuth: Cilantro
• Kitchen Daily: How to Choose and Store Cilantro