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You can store fresh picked cilantro by treating it like a bouquet of flowers and keeping it in a jar of water in the fridge.
If you’ve ever wondered how to store fresh picked cilantro so it lasts more than a couple of days, this approach is your best bet.
Cilantro is delicate, and it wilts fast, but with the right technique, you can store fresh picked cilantro for up to two weeks.
In this post, we’ll walk through the best ways to store fresh picked cilantro, from the water method to freezing, plus a few common mistakes to avoid.
Let’s keep your cilantro fresh.
How To Store Fresh Picked Cilantro
To store fresh picked cilantro properly, you need to give it moisture at the stems and airflow around the leaves.
Here’s how to do it the right way.
1. Start With Clean, Dry Cilantro
Before you store fresh picked cilantro, gently rinse the leaves under cool water.
Then dry them thoroughly with a salad spinner or paper towels.
Excess moisture on the leaves will speed up rot when you store fresh picked cilantro, so drying is a crucial step.
2. Trim the Stems
Use a sharp knife to trim about an inch off the bottom of the stems.
This opens up the stems so they can drink water when you store fresh picked cilantro in a jar.
3. Use the Jar-of-Water Method
Fill a mason jar or glass with an inch or two of cold water.
Place the cilantro stems down in the water, like flowers in a vase, ensuring the leaves stay above the waterline.
Cover the leaves loosely with a plastic bag and secure it with a rubber band.
This is the best way to store fresh picked cilantro in the fridge and keep it crisp.
Other Ways To Store Fresh Picked Cilantro
If the jar method isn’t your thing, you have other options to store fresh picked cilantro.
1. Paper Towel and Bag Method
Wrap the dried cilantro loosely in a slightly damp paper towel.
Place it inside a zip-top bag, but leave the bag partially open so air can circulate.
This helps you store fresh picked cilantro without trapping too much moisture.
2. Freezing Cilantro
If you want to store fresh picked cilantro long-term, freezing works great.
Chop the cilantro and pack it into ice cube trays with a little water or olive oil.
Once frozen, pop the cubes into a freezer bag, and you can store fresh picked cilantro for months.
3. Airtight Container
Some people prefer to store fresh picked cilantro in an airtight container lined with a dry paper towel.
Just avoid washing the leaves until you’re ready to use them, since moisture is the enemy.
Common Mistakes To Avoid When You Store Fresh Picked Cilantro
Even with good intentions, a few slip-ups can ruin your cilantro fast.
1. Washing Before Storing
If you wash cilantro and don’t dry it completely, you’ll end up with slimy leaves.
Always dry thoroughly before you store fresh picked cilantro.
2. Storing Near Ethylene Producers
Bananas, apples, and tomatoes release ethylene gas, which speeds up spoilage.
Keep them away when you store fresh picked cilantro so it stays fresh longer.
3. Leaving It at Room Temperature
Cilantro wilts fast outside the fridge.
To store fresh picked cilantro safely, it needs to stay cold.
4. Crowding the Container
Packing cilantro too tightly traps moisture and crushes the leaves.
Give it room to breathe whenever you store fresh picked cilantro.
How Long Can You Store Fresh Picked Cilantro?
With the jar method, you can store fresh picked cilantro for up to two weeks.
In a paper towel and bag, expect about a week.
Frozen cilantro will store fresh picked cilantro for up to six months.
So, How To Store Fresh Picked Cilantro?
You can store fresh picked cilantro by keeping the stems in water, covering the leaves, and refrigerating it.
Or, use the paper towel method if that suits your kitchen better.
Either way, you now know exactly how to store fresh picked cilantro so it stays green and flavorful.
Give these methods a try and enjoy fresh cilantro whenever you need it.