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A bundle of cilantro leaves on a cutting board.
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5 from 4 votes

How to Keep Cilantro Fresh

Store fresh cilantro in the fridge for a month with these simple tips.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time0 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: ingredient
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Keyword: fresh cilantro, store
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 1kcal
Author: Erin
Cost: $.50

Equipment

  • Jar
  • Plastic bag
  • Scissors

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch fresh cilantro
  • ¼ cup cold water

Instructions

  • Gather cilantro stems and remove any debris and dead or yellow leaves/stems.
  • DO NOT RINSE CILANTRO.
  • Trim any leaves off the bottom 2-3 inches of stems using sharp scissors.
  • Grasp the bunch firmly in one hand and trim the ends evenly off, to form a straight, clean edge.
  • Fill a glass jar with about 1 inch of clean, cold water.
  • Place the cilantro stems in the jar, so that the trimmed ends are flush with the bottom of the jar.
  • Cover loosely with a light weight, clear plastic bag. Don't secure it around the glass- allow for air circulation.
  • Every 2-3 days, remove the bag, and clean away dead or dying leaves. Trim ends again (about ⅙th of an inch).
  • Dump out old water, rinse jar clean, and add fresh water back to the jar, no more than 1 inch deep.
  • Place cilantro stems in the jar as before, with trimmed ends flush with the bottom of the glass.
  • Cover again loosely with the bag and place back in the fridge.
  • When ready to use some cilantro, remove only the portion of stems that you are using. Rinse with cold water and shake dry.
  • Repeat this process until the cilantro is used up, or eventually dies.

Notes

  • DO NOT WASH CILANTRO. Wait until you're ready to use it, and only rinse the portion you plan to use. 
  • Change and clean stems, removing dead or yellow parts every 2-3 days. 
  • Don't rubber band or tie off the bag; allow it to be loose to promote air circulation to the leaves. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 1kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 4mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 54IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg