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This tutorial is to show you how you can keep cilantro fresh in the fridge longer with three simple methods by using paper towel and cold water. It works for other fresh herbs too.
How To Keep Cilantro Fresh Longer In The Fridge
Cilantro is one of the ingredients I must have in my fridge. Asian food uses cilantro often as a garnish or less often than not, as an ingredient in cooking. I need cilantro more as a garnish than as an ingredient and so this post will show you how to keep them fresh in the fridge longer and still looking good when you plan to use them as a garnish or in your salad.
HOW LONG WILL CILANTRO LAST IN THE FRIDGE?
Unfortunately, fresh cilantro doesn’t last that long in the fridge. They usually will last probably 3-4 days and will start looking all wimpy and started to turn black and eventually turns into a mush!
SHOULD I WASH CILANTRO BEFORE STORING?
No, do not wash them before storing them. However, you need to wash them before using them because there are some sands that come with it. So, only wash them right before you are going to use them.
CAN I FREEZE CILANTRO?
Yes and No. You can freeze cilantro if you plan to use them as ingredients in cooking. If you plan to use cilantro as a garnish, I would not recommend freezing them because they will turn black and wet and it’s the last thing you want as a garnish
HOW TO KEEP CILANTRO FRESH IN THE FRIDGE FOR WEEKS
1. AIR DRY THE CILANTRO (IF USING METHOD 1 OR 2)
Most cilantro you bring back from the grocery store are “wet” because they are “misted” at the grocery store to keep them fresh looking.
You can spread them out on a clean surface and let them air dry a little bit for about 10 – 15 minutes.
Line a paper towel and then transfer the cilantro on top and use another absorbent paper towel and gently pat any excess moisture dry as much as you can. The drier they are, the longer they’ll keep.
2. METHOD 1 : PAPER TOWEL + PLASTIC BAG
Separate the bunch of cilantro into 3-4 smaller bunches. Place this on top of a dry paper towel with some space in between.
Gently and loosely fold the paper towel over
and then over again (as shown in the photo and video)
then over again. Don’t press on them or squeeze them or they’ll bruise and start to get rotten
Place this inside a ziplock bag. Push all the air out as much as you can. Seal the bag and place in the fridge. This will keep for weeks (up to 2-3 weeks if your cilantro is really dry).
3. METHOD 2 : PAPER TOWEL + AIR-TIGHT CONTAINER
Line the container with paper towel covering the bottom and the sides.
Loosely ( do not pack tightly) pack the cilantro leaves on top of it
Cover with another piece of paper towel.
Depending on the size of your container, you can stack another layer of cilantro leaves loosely on top and then cover with another piece of paper towel. REMEMBER: do not overpack. I don’t recommend more than 3 layers in the same container. Close the lid and store in the fridge. This will keep for weeks (up to 4 weeks if your cilantro is really dry)
3. METHOD 3: KEEP THEM IN COLD WATER IN THE FRIDGE
1. Discard any cilantro leaves that do not look good. Trim off excess stem if needed so they fit in your container
2. Fill up with water (don’t have to be cold as the water will turn cold in the fridge) to make sure they are submerged in the water. Try not to pack too much. Separate into two containers if necessary
3. Close the lid and store in the fridge
4. Dump the water out every day or two days
5. Fill up with clean water again and store in the fridge. I am able to store the cilantro in the fridge this way for about one week and the cilantro stays crisp. At day 8, few cilantro leaves started to get a bit brown but still crisp
YOU CAN STORE OTHER FRESH HERBS WITH THESE METHODS TOO
Both method 1,2, and 3 works for other fresh herbs like parsley, basil, and mints.
I hope you find this helpful and no more mushy cilantro leaves in your fridge! If you have other ways of how to keep cilantro leaves fresh in the fridge, I’m all ears (or eyes) too!
How To Keep Cilantro Fresh Longer in The Fridge
Ingredients
- Fresh cilantro bunch
Instructions
- Please do not wash the cilantro. Once you wash them, they will not keep well in the fridge anymore. Only wash them when you are ready to use them in your recipes
Make sure the cilantro dry before storing (for method 1 and 2):
- Most cilantro you bring back from the grocery store are "wet" because they are "misted" at the grocery store to keep them fresh looking. You can skip this step if the cilantro you have are dry and has no moisture on them
- You can spread them out on a clean surface and let them air dry a little bit for about 10 - 15 minutes
- Line a paper towel and then transfer the cilantro on top and use another absorbent paper towel and gently pat any excess moisture dry as much as you can. The drier they are, the longer they'll keep
Method 1: Paper towel + Plastic Bag
- Separate the bunch of cilantro into 3-4 smaller bunches. Place this on top of a dry paper towel with some space in between. Gently and loosely fold the paper towel over and then over again (as shown in the photo and video). Don't press on them or squeeze them or they'll bruise and start to get rotten
- Place this inside a ziplock bag. Push all the air out as much as you can. Seal the bag and place in the fridge. This will keep for weeks (up to 2-3 weeks if your cilantro is really dry)
Method 2: Paper towel + Air-tight container
- Line the container with paper towel covering the bottom and the sides. Loosely ( do not pack tightly) pack the cilantro leaves on top of it and then cover with another piece of paper towel. Depending on the size of your container, you can stack another layer of cilantro leaves loosely on top and then cover with another piece of paper towel. REMEMBER: do not overpack. I don't recommend more than 3 layers in the same container. Close the lid and store in the fridge. This will keep for weeks (up to 4 weeks if your cilantro is really dry)
Before using:
- Simply take out as many as you need from the bag or container and make sure to push air out again from the bag and store it back in the fridge. Wash the cilantro with clean water and use according to your recipe
Method 3: Cold water (my favorite method)
- Discard any cilantro leaves that do not look good. Trim off excess stem if needed so they fit in your container. Fill up with water (don't have to be cold as the water will turn cold in the fridge) to make sure they are submerged in the water. Close the lid and store in the fridge
- Dump the water out every day or two days and fill up with clean water again and store in the fridge. I am able to store the cilantro in the fridge this way for about one week and the cilantro stays crisp. At day 8, few cilantro leaves started to get a bit brown but still crisp
- When ready to use, simply get as many sprigs as you need and rinse with water again before using
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2 comments
I have tried many different ways to store Cilantro and this way works the best by far. Shake it gently to remove the water that it has been misted with at the market . Cut the bottom stems straight. Across so they are even and about 3 -4 inches long , gently remove and leaves that would be in the water. Place them in a wide large cup in 2 inches of water and cover with a loose plastic bag. You will be amazed at how it perks up and last for at least 2 wks. If need be replenish the water.
Thank you so much for your tips! 🙂