This tutorial is to show you how you can keep cilantro fresh in the fridge longer with simple method by using paper towel. It works for other fresh herbs too.
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