How to Store Fresh Cilantro: Fridge, Freezer and Tips

Cilantro wilts fast, so it helps to know how to store fresh cilantro properly. Whether you buy a bunch or cut a big harvest from your Kratky container, these methods keep it usable for longer and cut down on waste.

Best choice: harvest only what you need

If you grow your own, the best storage is the plant itself. Cut what you will use, and leave the rest growing. The step-by-step Kratky method guide for cilantro recommends harvesting every week or two to keep a steady supply, and how to harvest cilantro for bushier plants explains how.

In the fridge: the jar method

1. Trim the ends of the stems.
2. Stand the bunch in a jar with an inch or two of water, like a bouquet.
3. Cover the leaves loosely with a plastic bag.
4. Keep it in the fridge, and change the water every few days.

Cilantro stored this way often stays fresh for a week or longer.

In the fridge: the paper towel method

1. Pick off any yellow or slimy leaves.
2. Wrap the bunch loosely in a barely damp paper towel.
3. Place it in a container or zip bag, with the lid slightly open.

Too much moisture makes cilantro rot, so wash it just before you use it, and dry it well. A salad spinner helps.

Freezing

Frozen cilantro loses its crisp texture, so use it in cooked dishes, sauces and soups rather than as a fresh garnish.

1. Wash, dry and chop the cilantro.
2. Pack it into an ice cube tray, and cover with a little water or oil.
3. Freeze until solid, then move the cubes to a freezer bag.
4. Label the bag. Use the cubes for the best flavor within a few months.

What about drying?

Dried cilantro keeps for a long time, but it loses most of its flavor. Freezing preserves much more.

Ways to use extra cilantro

Blend it into a sauce, such as the pesto described on our cilantro recipes page, or stir it into the easy cilantro lime rice recipe.

Make a sauce

If a harvest is bigger than you can use, blend the extra into a sauce with oil, garlic, lime juice and salt, and freeze it in small portions. Adding a sauce to rice, tacos, eggs or grilled meat is an easy way to use up cilantro that is past its best for garnish.

Common questions