What To Do With Parsley And Cilantro

You can do a lot with parsley and cilantro, and both herbs deserve a permanent spot in your kitchen.
 
Parsley and cilantro can be used fresh in salads, blended into sauces, stirred into soups, and even frozen for later.
 
If you’ve ever stared at a wilting bunch in your fridge wondering what to do with parsley and cilantro, you’re in the right place.
 
These two green herbs look similar but taste completely different, and that’s exactly why they work so well together in your cooking.
 
In this post, we’ll look at the best ways to use parsley and cilantro, how to store them so they last, and a few clever tricks to make the most of every leaf.
 
Let’s get into it.
 

What to Do With Parsley and Cilantro in Everyday Cooking

What to do with parsley and cilantro starts with understanding how each one behaves in a dish.
 
Parsley is mild, grassy, and a little peppery, which makes it a team player in almost any recipe.
 
Cilantro is bright, citrusy, and bold, and it tends to take over whatever it touches.
 
Here’s how to put both to work:
 

1. Toss Them Into Salads

Fresh parsley and cilantro can be treated like leafy greens rather than just garnishes.
 
Chop a big handful of each and fold them into a salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion.
 
A squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of olive oil is all you need.
 
This is one of the easiest answers to what to do with parsley and cilantro when you have more than you can use.
 

2. Blend Them Into Sauces

When you’re figuring out what to do with parsley and cilantro, sauces are your best friend.
 
Chimichurri uses parsley as its base, and it comes together in minutes with garlic, vinegar, and olive oil.
 
Cilantro shines in pesto, green chutney, and creamy yogurt sauces.
 
Blend either herb with nuts, citrus, and oil, and you’ve got a sauce that lifts grilled meat, fish, or roasted vegetables.
 

3. Stir Them Into Soups and Stews

Both herbs add a fresh finish to warm, hearty dishes.
 
Add chopped parsley or cilantro at the very end of cooking so the flavor stays bright.
 
A bowl of chicken soup, lentil stew, or tomato soup becomes something special with a handful of either herb stirred in.
 
This is a simple way to use parsley and cilantro without much effort.
 

4. Sprinkle Them Over Eggs and Toast

If you’re stuck on what to do with parsley and cilantro at breakfast, start with eggs.
 
Scrambled eggs, omelets, and avocado toast all love a shower of chopped herbs.
 
It takes ten seconds and makes a basic morning meal feel restaurant-worthy.
 

How to Store Parsley and Cilantro So They Last

Knowing what to do with parsley and cilantro also means knowing how to keep them fresh.
 
Here’s how to get more life out of every bunch:
 

1. Treat Them Like Flowers

Trim the stems and stand the herbs in a glass with an inch of water.
 
Cover loosely with a plastic bag and refrigerate.
 
This keeps parsley and cilantro crisp for a week or more.
 

2. Wrap Them in Damp Paper Towels

If you’d rather store them flat, wrap the herbs in a slightly damp paper towel.
 
Tuck them into a zip-top bag and press out the air.
 
This method works well when you’re short on fridge space.
 

3. Freeze Them for Later

When you have too much and don’t know what to do with parsley and cilantro fast enough, freeze them.
 
Chop the herbs, pack them into ice cube trays, and cover with olive oil or water.
 
Pop the cubes into soups, sauces, or skillet dishes whenever you need a flavor boost.
 

Creative Ways to Use Parsley and Cilantro Before They Wilt

Sometimes you need to use parsley and cilantro quickly, and that’s when these ideas help:
 

1. Make a Herb Butter

Mash chopped herbs into softened butter with garlic, salt, and lemon zest.
 
Spread it on bread, melt it over steak, or toss it with pasta.
 
This is one of the tastiest things to do with parsley and cilantro when you want big flavor fast.
 

2. Infuse Oil or Vinegar

Pack clean, dry herbs into a jar and cover with olive oil or white vinegar.
 
Let it sit in the fridge for a week, then strain.
 
You’ll have a vibrant dressing base that captures the essence of both herbs.
 

3. Blend a Green Smoothie

Yes, you can drink them.
 
A handful of parsley or cilantro blends beautifully with pineapple, banana, and coconut water.
 
It’s a refreshing way to use parsley and cilantro without cooking a thing.
 

4. Fold Them Into Grain Bowls

Cooked rice, quinoa, or couscous becomes instantly better with chopped herbs folded in.
 
Add chickpeas, roasted veggies, and a lemony dressing for a full meal.
 
This is a go-to answer when you’re wondering what to do with parsley and cilantro on a busy night.
 

So, What to Do With Parsley and Cilantro?

What to do with parsley and cilantro comes down to using them fresh, blending them into sauces, and storing them well so nothing goes to waste.
 
Parsley and cilantro can be tossed into salads, stirred into soups, blended into pesto, frozen into cubes, and churned into herb butter.
 
They’re versatile, affordable, and packed with flavor, which is why they earn their place in your fridge every week.
 
So next time you bring home a bunch of each, you’ll know exactly what to do with parsley and cilantro.