How To Store Cilantro To Keep It Fresh

You can store cilantro to keep it fresh for up to two weeks if you treat it right.
 
The trick is to stop it from drying out while also preventing it from getting slimy.
 
If you’ve ever asked how to store cilantro to keep it fresh, you’re in the right place.
 
Most people just toss it in the fridge crisper and hope for the best.
 
That usually leads to yellow, mushy leaves within a few days.
 
But learning how to store cilantro to keep it fresh is actually pretty simple once you know the two main methods.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to store cilantro to keep it fresh using water, paper towels, and even your freezer.
 
Let’s dive in.
 

How to Store Cilantro to Keep It Fresh: The Basics

Knowing how to store cilantro to keep it fresh starts with understanding what cilantro hates.
 
Cilantro hates extreme cold, excess moisture, and ethylene gas from certain fruits.
 
When you store cilantro to keep it fresh, you’re basically fighting three enemies: dryness, sogginess, and rot.
 
The good news is that cilantro is a cut herb, so it behaves a lot like fresh flowers.
 
That means the same tricks that keep bouquets alive can help you store cilantro to keep it fresh.
 
Here are the best ways to store cilantro to keep it fresh at home.
 

1. The Water Method (Best for Stems)

If you want to store cilantro to keep it fresh for the longest time, use the water method.
 
Trim the stems about an inch and place them in a glass with two inches of cold water.
 
Cover the leaves loosely with a plastic bag and put the glass in the fridge.
 
Change the water every couple of days.
 
This is the number one way to store cilantro to keep it fresh for up to two weeks.
 

2. The Paper Towel Method (Best for Leaves)

Another great way to store cilantro to keep it fresh is with paper towels.
 
Pat the cilantro completely dry, then wrap it loosely in a dry paper towel.
 
Place the wrapped bundle in a zip-top bag and seal it, leaving a little air inside.
 
Store it in the crisper drawer.
 
When you store cilantro to keep it fresh this way, the paper towel absorbs extra moisture.
 
That keeps the leaves from turning slimy.
 

3. The Freezer Method (Best for Long-Term)

If you have more cilantro than you can use, you can store cilantro to keep it fresh in the freezer.
 
Chop the leaves and pack them into an ice cube tray.
 
Top each cube with water or olive oil and freeze.
 
Once frozen, pop the cubes into a freezer bag.
 
This is a smart way to store cilantro to keep it fresh for months, though the texture will soften.
 
It’s perfect for soups, stews, and sauces.
 

4. What Not to Do When You Store Cilantro to Keep It Fresh

Don’t wash cilantro before you store it to keep it fresh.
 
Extra water speeds up rot.
 
Don’t store cilantro to keep it fresh next to bananas, apples, or tomatoes.
 
Those fruits release ethylene gas that turns cilantro yellow fast.
 
And never leave cilantro on the counter for long.
 
Room temperature makes it wilt within hours.
 

How Long Does Stored Cilantro Stay Fresh?

When you store cilantro to keep it fresh using the water method, expect about 10 to 14 days.
 
The paper towel method gives you around 7 to 10 days.
 
Frozen cilantro stored to keep it fresh lasts up to 6 months.
 
The key is checking it every few days.
 
If you see slime or a sour smell, toss it.
 
That means your attempt to store cilantro to keep it fresh has failed.
 

Tips to Store Cilantro to Keep It Fresh Longer

Start with the freshest bunch you can find.
 
Look for bright green leaves and firm stems.
 
Remove any yellow or brown leaves before you store cilantro to keep it fresh.
 
Keep the temperature in your fridge between 34°F and 40°F.
 
And use a crisper drawer set to high humidity.
 
If you follow these steps to store cilantro to keep it fresh, you’ll waste far less of it.
 

So, How to Store Cilantro to Keep It Fresh?

You can store cilantro to keep it fresh by keeping the stems in water, wrapping leaves in paper towels, or freezing chopped portions.
 
Each method helps you store cilantro to keep it fresh for days or even months.
 
Just avoid washing it early, skip the ethylene-heavy neighbors, and check it often.
 
Now you know exactly how to store cilantro to keep it fresh, so your next batch of salsa or tacos will taste garden-fresh.