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You can add cilantro to your diet in several simple ways.
If you have been wondering how to add cilantro to your diet, the good news is that this versatile herb fits into almost any meal.
Cilantro is that bright, fresh green herb that people either love or hate, but if you’re in the love camp, you’re in luck.
It’s packed with vitamins A, C, and K, plus it adds a punch of flavor without adding many calories.
Adding cilantro to your diet can be as easy as tossing a handful into your salad or blending it into a sauce.
In this post, we’ll go over how to add cilantro to your diet, the best ways to use it, and some tasty ideas to get you started.
Let’s dive in.
How To Add Cilantro To Your Diet
When you want to add cilantro to your diet, the key is to treat it like a fresh garnish or a main ingredient, depending on the dish.
Here are some of the easiest ways to add cilantro to your diet:
1. Use It as a Garnish
The simplest way to add cilantro to your diet is to sprinkle it on top of finished dishes.
Chop up a few leaves and stems, then scatter them over tacos, soups, curries, or scrambled eggs.
This adds a burst of freshness and color without much effort.
You can also add cilantro to your diet by using it as a topping for pizza or flatbreads after they come out of the oven.
2. Blend It Into Sauces and Dressings
If you want to add cilantro to your diet in a bigger way, blend it into sauces.
Cilantro pairs beautifully with lime, garlic, and jalapeƱo in a classic chimichurri or green sauce.
You can also add cilantro to your diet by mixing it into yogurt or sour cream for a quick dip.
Simply pulse the herbs with olive oil, vinegar, and a pinch of salt for a vibrant dressing.
This is a great way to add cilantro to your diet if you’re not a fan of the texture of raw leaves.
3. Toss It Into Salads and Bowls
Another easy way to add cilantro to your diet is to fold it into salads.
Instead of just using lettuce, add a handful of cilantro leaves to your greens.
You can also add cilantro to your diet by stirring it into grain bowls, quinoa salads, or pasta salads.
The herb’s bright flavor cuts through rich ingredients like avocado, beans, and cheese.
Just chop it roughly and toss it in at the last minute to keep it fresh.
4. Cook It Into Soups and Stews
You can add cilantro to your diet by adding it to hot dishes right before serving.
Stir a handful of chopped cilantro into chicken soup, lentil stew, or tomato-based curries.
The heat will wilt the leaves slightly, releasing their aroma.
This is a fantastic way to add cilantro to your diet if you want a more subtle flavor rather than a sharp, raw bite.
You can also add cilantro to your diet by using the stems, which hold a lot of flavor, in soups and broths.
Delicious Ways To Enjoy Cilantro Every Day
Now that you know how to add cilantro to your diet, let’s look at some specific meals where it shines.
These ideas make it easy to add cilantro to your diet without even thinking about it.
1. Breakfast: Cilantro Scrambled Eggs
Start your morning by adding cilantro to your diet with scrambled eggs.
Whisk eggs with a little salt, then fold in chopped cilantro just before they set.
Serve with toast or a tortilla for a filling breakfast.
You can also add cilantro to your diet by blending it into a green smoothie with spinach, pineapple, and coconut water.
2. Lunch: Cilantro Rice Bowls
For lunch, add cilantro to your diet by mixing it into rice.
Cook white or brown rice, then stir in chopped cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt.
Top with black beans, grilled chicken, or roasted vegetables.
This is one of the most satisfying ways to add cilantro to your diet because the herb infuses the entire bowl.
3. Dinner: Cilantro Pesto Pasta
At dinner, add cilantro to your diet by swapping basil for cilantro in pesto.
Blend cilantro with nuts, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese.
Toss with hot pasta and cherry tomatoes.
You can also add cilantro to your diet by stirring it into a coconut curry or sprinkling it over grilled fish.
4. Snacks: Cilantro Dip
Even snacks can help you add cilantro to your diet.
Mix chopped cilantro into hummus, guacamole, or a simple yogurt dip.
Serve with carrot sticks, cucumber slices, or pita chips.
This is a fun way to add cilantro to your diet when you’re craving something crunchy and fresh.
Tips For Adding Cilantro To Your Diet
To successfully add cilantro to your diet, keep a few things in mind.
First, always wash cilantro thoroughly before using it.
Second, use both the leaves and the stems because the stems hold just as much flavor.
Third, add cilantro at the end of cooking to preserve its bright taste.
If you want to add cilantro to your diet but don’t like the soapy taste some people detect, try using it in cooked dishes rather than raw.
You can also add cilantro to your diet by freezing it in ice cube trays with olive oil for later use.
This way, you always have a fresh pop of flavor ready to go.
So, How To Add Cilantro To Your Diet?
You can add cilantro to your diet by using it as a garnish, blending it into sauces, tossing it in salads, or cooking it into soups.
The options are truly endless, and the best part is that cilantro is affordable and easy to find.
Whether you sprinkle it on tacos or blend it into pesto, you’ll be getting a boost of flavor and nutrition.
Hope this post has helped you explore how to add cilantro to your diet and given you plenty of tasty ideas to try.