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How to Best Store Cilantro and Parsley
To best store cilantro and parsley, treat them like fresh flowers and give them a drink of water.
That’s the secret that keeps these herbs perky for a week or longer.
If you’ve been asking how to best store cilantro and parsley so they don’t turn into a slimy mess in your fridge, you’re in the right place.
Knowing how to best store cilantro and parsley comes down to a few simple methods that anyone can do at home.
In this post, we’ll walk through the best ways to store cilantro and parsley so you can stop throwing away wilted bunches.
Let’s get to it.
Why Knowing How to Best Store Cilantro and Parsley Matters
Cilantro and parsley are tender herbs, which means they wilt fast without the right care.
Understanding how to best store cilantro and parsley saves you money, cuts down on waste, and means fresh flavor whenever a recipe calls for it.
That’s the whole reason learning how to best store cilantro and parsley is worth a few minutes of your time.
1. They’re Tender Herbs That Lose Moisture Quickly
Unlike hardy herbs such as rosemary or thyme, cilantro and parsley have thin stems and soft leaves.
Once cut, they lose moisture rapidly through their leaves.
This means the clock starts ticking the moment you bring them home.
2. Proper Storage Preserves Flavor
Great storage keeps the essential oils in the leaves intact.
Those oils are what give cilantro its bright, citrusy punch and parsley its clean, peppery bite.
When you nail how to best store cilantro and parsley, you keep that flavor locked in.
3. It Saves You Money
A bunch of cilantro or parsley isn’t expensive, but tossing half of it every week adds up.
Storing them the right way means you actually use what you buy.
How to Best Store Cilantro and Parsley: The Methods That Work
There are a few proven ways to store these herbs, and each works well depending on how fast you plan to use them.
1. The Jar and Water Method
Trim the ends of the stems and stand the bunch in a jar with an inch or two of water.
Cover the leaves loosely with a plastic bag and place the jar in the fridge.
Change the water every couple of days.
This is one of the simplest answers to how to best store cilantro and parsley for up to two weeks.
2. The Damp Paper Towel Method
Lay the herbs on a slightly damp paper towel.
Roll them up gently and tuck the bundle into a zip-top bag.
Squeeze out the air before sealing.
This approach works great when you plan to use the herbs within a week.
3. The Freezer Method for Long-Term Storage
Chop the herbs, place them in ice cube trays, and cover with olive oil or water.
Freeze until solid, then pop the cubes into a freezer bag.
This is how to best store cilantro and parsley when you can’t use them fast enough.
Just remember that frozen herbs work best in cooked dishes, not as fresh garnishes.
4. Storing Parsley and Cilantro Separately
Keep parsley and cilantro in separate containers if you can.
Cilantro tends to wilt faster, so it benefits from being checked more often.
Separating them also prevents one from speeding up the decline of the other.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Storing Cilantro and Parsley
Even with good intentions, a few habits can ruin your herbs fast.
1. Washing Before Storing
Extra moisture is the enemy here because it leads to rot.
Wash the herbs only when you’re ready to use them.
2. Sealing Them Wet in a Bag
Trapped moisture turns leaves slimy within days.
Make sure herbs are dry before they go into any container.
3. Storing Near Ethylene Producers
Fruits like bananas and apples release ethylene gas, which speeds up wilting.
Keep your cilantro and parsley away from them.
4. Leaving Them at Room Temperature Too Long
These herbs belong in the fridge.
A countertop is fine for a quick photo, not for overnight storage.
So, How to Best Store Cilantro and Parsley?
To best store cilantro and parsley, treat them like fresh flowers and give them a drink of water.
The jar and water method, the damp paper towel trick, and the freezer method all answer the question of how to best store cilantro and parsley.
Whichever method you pick, the goal stays the same: keep the leaves dry, cool, and away from ethylene gas.
Nail how to best store cilantro and parsley, and you’ll enjoy fresh herbs any time a recipe needs them.