If you buy or harvest a large bunch of cilantro, it will be difficult to use it before the cilantro loses its freshness. You can store cilantro to keep it fresh for a long time if you store it under ideal conditions.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Moisturizing Tissues
Step 1. Cut the ends
Use kitchen shears to cut off the dry ends of each stalk of cilantro. Also use this time to remove any damaged or dead leaves.
To keep them fresh and cause less shock to the plant, cut the stems under cold running water
Step 2. Soak the coriander leaves
Place the coriander leaves in a bowl and soak the stems in cold water. Let it soak for five to ten minutes.
Soaking the coriander leaves can remove all the dirt from the leaves. Since the leaves and stems can become damp when you use this method, cleaning the leaves beforehand shouldn't be a problem. If you're using a method that requires the leaves to stay dry, you'll need to wait until you're ready to use them before cleaning them
Step 3. Remove excess water
Remove the cilantro from the water and transfer to a salad roll. Use this tool to twist the wet cilantro until it feels drier to the touch.
- You can also pat the cilantro dry with a clean, dry layer of paper towels or with a clean kitchen cloth. Make sure the leaves are completely dry, at least to the point where there are no visible drops of water dripping from the leaves.
- You don't need to dry it extensively for this method. Because you'll end up wrapping the cilantro in wet paper towels later.
Step 4. Wrap the coriander leaves in a damp paper towel
Spread the cilantro on a clean, slightly damp paper towel. Carefully wrap the cilantro in a paper towel so that all sides are covered.
The tissue should be only slightly wet. Don't get the tissue soaking wet
Step 5. Place the coriander leaves in an airtight container
Transfer the wrapped coriander leaves to a plastic bag or airtight plastic container. Close the container and label the date and contents of the container.
- If placing the cilantro in a plastic bag, seal the top seal, leaving only 1 inch (2.5 cm) of open space. Gently squeeze out all the air before you finish sealing the bag.
- If you are placing the cilantro in an airtight container, make sure the lid fits securely and leaves no room for air to enter or leave.
Step 6. Store in the refrigerator
Place the container of cilantro in your refrigerator for a week or so.
- Coriander is a fairly delicate foliage. Thus, using this method to store fresh cilantro may not be as effective as the other methods. While wet wipes and plastic bags will work well on tougher foliage, such as mint and parsley, cilantro wilts faster. In the experience of many home cooks, keeping the leaves dry can actually prolong the freshness of the leaves for longer.
- Note that this method is very effective if you only want to keep the cilantro fresh for five days or more. The combination of humidity and cold temperatures can keep the cilantro at its maximum freshness and crispness for a few days, but if you want to keep the cilantro fresh for a long time, you may want to use a different method.
Method 2 of 3: Dry Wipes
Step 1. Cut the ends
Cut off each dry end of the cilantro stem. You should also remove any old, damaged leaves at this stage.
It's a good idea to cut really strong stems this way. The stems are not needed as much as they will not absorb moisture, and removing them will make the cilantro easier to store in an airtight container
Step 2. Dry the cilantro completely
If the cilantro has some moisture, you will need to dry it with paper towels or by placing it in a salad roll.
Coriander leaves will spoil quickly if they are still wet, so it is important that you dry them as dry as possible. To be on the safe side, the best option is to twist the cilantro in a salad spinner and spread the stems in a single layer on a dry kitchen rag. Place the rag in the sun for a few hours to further dry the cilantro
Step 3. Place the coriander leaves between layers of dry paper towels
Place a dry paper towel in the bottom of an airtight container. Arrange the cilantro in a single layer on top, then cover the cilantro with another paper towel. Repeat this pattern, alternating between the cilantro and the tissue layers.
- If possible, only make one layer of cilantro in the container. Filling a container with too many cilantro can create a problem.
- Regardless of how many layers you have, the bottom and top of the layers should consist of layers of tissue.
- Close the container when finished. Make sure that the seal is airtight.
- Use plastic food containers for this method instead of using plastic bags.
Step 4. Store in the refrigerator
Close the container and place it in your refrigerator. The cilantro will stay fresh for two to three weeks.
Check the cilantro periodically during this period. Look through the sides of the container if using clear plastic, or quickly open the lid and peek inside if using a container made of colored plastic. Discard wilted cilantro or discolored cilantro. If you notice any moisture, dry the container and dry the cilantro using a salad spinner
Method 3 of 3: A Container Of Water
Step 1. Cut the ends
Cut off any dry or damaged stem ends with sharp kitchen shears. At this time, you should also check for damaged or wilted foliage. Also remove the leaves.
Consider cutting the stems under cold running water. Doing this will give the leaves a slight shock, and because the tips will be soaked in the water as well. Keeping the ends as fresh as possible is actually preferable because they can attract more water that way
Step 2. Dry the leaves, if needed
If the leaves look damp, you'll need to dry them with a clean, dry paper towel or dry them with a salad spinner.
- Although the stems will get wet this way, it is important to keep the leaves dry. The cilantro will wilt faster if you keep the leaves wet.
- Note that for this method, it is better to clean the cilantro before you use it than to clean it right now, when you are just trying to keep it fresh. Waiting will minimize the amount of water from touching the leaves.
Step 3. Fill the glass with a little water and coriander leaves
Fill the bottom quarter of the glass with cold water. Arrange the cilantro in the glass afterwards, making sure all the cut ends are submerged in the water.
The cut ends should be submerged in water, but the leaves should remain above the water surface. If some of the leaves are submerged in water, you will need to reduce the amount of water or cut off the lower leaves
Step 4. Cover with a plastic bag
Place a plastic bag that has a seal on the top of the cilantro. Leave the plastic bag open.
- Do not secure the plastic bag to the container by using a rubber band or anything.
- The opened plastic bag should fall under the mouth of the glass. In other words, the cilantro should be completely covered with a plastic bag.
Step 5. Change the water regularly
You will need to change the water every few days. Knowing when to change the water is easy just by looking at the contents of the glass. Once the water has changed color, it is time to replace the water with a new water supply.
Check the condition of the cilantro when you change the water. Remove any dry tips or any wilted leaves before placing them back in a new container of water
Step 6. Store in the refrigerator
Place a glass of coriander leaves in your refrigerator. When used this way, the cilantro can stay fresh for two weeks, or more.
Cold temperatures are as important to this method as water. If you leave the cilantro at room temperature, it will only last a week at most. Coriander leaves stored this way are known to stay fresh for about four weeks when stored in the refrigerator
Step 7. Done
Required Items
Moisturizing Tissue
- Kitchen scissors
- Big plate
- Salad player
- Tissue
- Airtight plastic bag or container
Dry Tissue
- Kitchen scissors
- Salad player
- Tissue
- Wipe clean (optional)
- Airtight plastic container
Container of Water
- Kitchen scissors
- Salad player
- Tissue
- Glass or or jar
- Plastic bags
