Coriander is an herb that is perfect for use in a variety of Asian, Mexican, Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines. The cilantro has a bright color with a crunchy taste, and can make a dish interesting. Unfortunately, these leaves tend to wilt easily when you don't need them, and don't dry out well, unlike other leaves. Luckily, you can preserve cilantro and keep it for a longer time by freezing it.
Ingredients
Ingredients for Freezing Coriander Leaves in Plastic Bags
Fresh coriander leaves
Ingredients for Freezing Coriander Leaves in Oil
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) olive oil
- 1-2 cups (50-100 grams) chopped coriander leaves
Ingredients for Freezing Coriander Leaves in Butter
- 1 stick of softened butter
- 1-3 tbsp. chopped coriander leaves
- 1 clove of minced garlic (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste (optional)
- tbsp. lime juice (optional)
- Lime peel (optional)
Step
Method 1 of 5: Preparing the Coriander Leaves for Freezing
Step 1. Use fresh coriander leaves
The cilantro will wilt a little when you freeze it, so you should buy fresh leaves. Choose leaves that are green and crispy. Do not choose leaves that are wilted, cracked, or yellowed.
Step 2. Wash the coriander with water
Hold the cilantro stalks and swirl them in a bowl filled with cold water. Keep doing this until the water is dirty. Repeat this action with the new water until the water becomes clear. You may have to change the water 2 or 3 times.
Step 3. Remove any water adhering to the coriander leaves
Hold the stems and shake the coriander leaves. It's a good idea to do this over the sink so the kitchen doesn't get wet with water.
Step 4. Dry the coriander leaves using a tissue
Lay out a few paper towels on a flat surface, then place the coriander leaves on top. Cover the leaf with another sheet of tissue, then press gently. The tissue will absorb the water that sticks to the leaves. Continue to do this using a new, dry tissue until the water runs out.
Step 5. Try blanching the cilantro
The trick is to put the coriander leaves in boiling water for about 15-30 seconds, then dip them in ice water for a few seconds. Don't soak the cilantro in hot water for more than 30 seconds, and make sure you dry it well. Blanching the coriander leaves can keep the color bright.
Method 2 of 5: Freezing Coriander Leaves in a Plastic Bag
Step 1. Decide if you want to freeze the whole cilantro or just the leaves
If you only want to freeze the leaves, pluck the leaves and remove the stems. You can also freeze the cilantro whole with the stalks, and pluck off the leaves when needed.
Step 2. Try mixing coriander leaves with olive oil
This will protect the cilantro from the cold and prevent it from getting mushy. Place the cilantro in a bowl and mix together 1 teaspoon or 1 tablespoon olive oil. The amount of olive oil you use will depend on how many cilantro you want to freeze. The more cilantro, the more olive oil you will need.
Step 3. Place the coriander leaves in a special freezer-safe ziploc plastic bag
Try to spread the cilantro evenly in the plastic bag. If you freeze whole cilantro, try to keep the stems and leaves as straight as possible. Maybe you should use some plastic bags.
If you don't have a special freezer bag, use a regular ziploc plastic bag, but use a double one
Step 4. Blow out as much air as possible before you seal the bag tightly
Close the plastic bag, but leave a small hole. Next, press the bag gently with your hands until it's flat. Close the plastic bag tightly. Be careful not to damage the coriander leaves.
Step 5. Write the current date on a plastic bag using a permanent marker
If there are other leaves in the freezer, it's a good idea to add "Ciander Leaves" to the plastic bag as well.
Step 6. Put the plastic bag filled with coriander leaves in the freezer
Try to lay the cilantro in a straight and even position.
Method 3 of 5: Freezing Coriander Leaves in Oil
Step 1. Coarsely chop the coriander leaves
Place the cilantro on a cutting board and chop it into small, 2-centimeter pieces. You can include the stem, or remove it. You don't have to do this neatly because the cilantro will be pureed in a blender later.
Step 2. Put the chopped coriander leaves in a blender
You can also use a food processor if you don't have a blender.
Step 3. Add 1/3 cup (80 ml) of olive oil for each cup (50 grams) of chopped cilantro
If you want a stronger cilantro flavor, increase the amount to 2 cups (100 grams). Also, if you don't like the strong smell of olive oil, try using a different cooking oil, such as vegetable or canola oil.
Step 4. Turn on the blender and run it for a few seconds
Make sure the lid is secure and there are no leaks. Keep running the blender until the oil turns green and the cilantro is finely chopped. Do not be too long to smooth because the pieces of leaves should still be visible.
Step 5. Pour the coriander leaf pulp into the ice cube tray
Fill each box in the tray with only 3/4 of the way. The coriander pulp will expand when frozen.
Step 6. Put the ice cube tray in the freezer
Place it on a stable, level surface. Leave the cilantro in the freezer for a few hours to overnight.
Step 7. Transfer the frozen coriander leaves into a ziploc plastic bag specifically for the freezer
This way, you can use the ice cube tray for other purposes. If you don't have a special freezer bag, you can use a regular ziploc bag, but use a double one.
Step 8. Write the date on the plastic bag with a permanent marker
If there are other leaves in the freezer, it's a good idea to add "Ciander Leaves" to the plastic bag as well.
Method 4 of 5: Freezing Coriander Leaves in Butter
Step 1. Cut the cilantro and put it in a bowl
You will need about 1 to 3 tbsp. chopped cilantro for each stick of butter.
Step 2. Add 1 stick of butter which has been softened at room temperature
You're better off slicing the butter in small pieces.
Step 3. Try adding some other ingredients
You can freeze the cilantro as is, or add other ingredients to make it taste better. Some of the ingredients that can be added include:
- 1 clove of garlic that has been chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- tbsp. lime juice
- Lime peel
Step 4. Mix all the ingredients until the coriander leaves are evenly distributed
Do this with a spoon or spatula. Do this quickly so the butter doesn't melt. Add more butter or cilantro if necessary.
Step 5. Roll the butter with parchment paper or aluminum foil
Spoon the butter and place on the parchment paper near the edges. Use a spoon or spatula to shape the butter into a coarse stick. Wrap the butter in parchment paper.
Step 6. Place the wrapped butter in the refrigerator
Place the packet on a plate with the butter roll meeting down, and leave in the refrigerator to harden.
Step 7. Transfer the butter to the freezer when it has hardened
To keep the freezer clean, keep the butter wrapped in parchment paper, and place it in a special freezer-safe ziploc bag or plastic container.
Step 8. Write the current date on a plastic bag or container
This is useful for remembering the freezing date so you can use it before the cilantro rots.
Method 5 of 5: Using Frozen Coriander Leaves
Step 1. Use frozen cilantro in cilantro chutney (a type of sauce) or guacamole (an avocado-based Mexican dish)
If you're freezing the cilantro without adding butter or oil, chop some of the leaves and add them to the coriander chutney or guacamole. You don't need to melt it.
Step 2. Use cilantro frozen in oil to flavor soups, sauces, and other cooked dishes
You can also use it in lettuce sauce (salad). Since it already contains oil, adjust the recipe and use less oil. One box of frozen cilantro contains about 1 tablespoon of oil.
Step 3. Melt the frozen cilantro mixed with butter until it reaches room temperature before you use it
It will take you about 15-20 minutes to melt it. If it has melted, you can spread it on bread or crackers.
Step 4. Avoid using frozen cilantro for lettuce and salsa
After freezing, the crispness of the cilantro is lost a lot. After thawing, the cilantro will be mushy and wilted. This can interfere with the look (and texture) of the lettuce or salsa.
Step 5. Use fresh cilantro for garnish, not frozen
Once thawed, the cilantro will look mushy and wilted. If you want to garnish any dish, use fresh cilantro instead.
Step 6. Know when to use frozen cilantro
Frozen cilantro doesn't last long, although it does last longer than fresh cilantro. The following are some guidelines regarding the right time to use cilantro:
- Use frozen cilantro for up to 2 months.
- Use coriander leaves frozen in oil for up to 3 months.
- Use cilantro frozen in butter for up to 1 month. Once you have thawed and placed it in the refrigerator, use the coriander leaves for up to 5 days.
Step 7. Done
Tips
- If you have free time, make salsa that has been topped with cilantro. Salsa will freeze better than cilantro alone.
- If you want to dry the cilantro after washing it, use a dish drying rack. Make sure the rack is clean, then place the cilantro on the rack and let it dry. If there is sunlight coming through the window, take advantage of this to dry the cilantro faster and better.
- If you just need to freeze some cilantro, put a pinch of cilantro in an ice cube tray, and cover it with olive oil.
Warning
- Frozen cilantro tends to lose a lot of flavor. Use them quickly, or don't freeze them to enjoy fresh cilantro. Its characteristic oil taste evaporates quickly.
- Do not use water when freezing cilantro. This makes the dish taste less seasoned and bland.
