How to Freeze Cilantro in 3 Easy Steps

Cilantro adds a burst of flavor as an ingredient or garnish. But what if you've got a lot of it and don't want it to go to waste? Here is how to freeze cilantro quickly.

Cilantro, also known as coriander, is a delicious and aromatic herb you can buy in bunches or grow yourself. It is widely used in flavorful cooking, especially in Mexican, Asian, Middle-Eastern and Indian recipes. Not much elevates a dish like a scattering of fresh cilantro.

This herb is related to parsley (you may even know it as Chinese or Mexican parsley), but there are big differences. Cilantro has a much stronger taste and aroma, to start with. To those who like it, cilantro tastes like a mix of lemon and pepper. Fresh cilantro is much more flavorful than dried and ground, so if you can get hold of fresh leaves, make the most of them.

Do you know how to freeze cilantro properly if you have too much to use? Be prepared; its texture will change, affecting how you use it later. 

We show you how to freeze cilantro in a few easy steps, making it last longer and ready when you need it.

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Instructions for Freezing Cilantro

Freeze your fresh cilantro quickly and easily using one of the two methods below. Each takes just three simple steps. Then, you’ll have cilantro you can easily defrost when you need it! You don’t always need to defrost it, however — see further on for ideas for using frozen cilantro.

You won’t lose much of the herb’s unique flavor, but its texture will change. We advise that you use your frozen or defrosted cilantro as an ingredient rather than a garnish.

How to freeze cilantro in zip-top bags:

This couldn’t be easier. Here’s the three-step magic for freezing cilantro — all you need is cilantro and a zip-top freezer bag.

1. Wash the herb and pat it dry.
2. Pack the sprigs in a resealable freezer bag.
3. Place in the freezer.

How to freeze cilantro in ice cube trays:

The ice-cube method is perfect for portion control. You can freeze leaves whole or chop them up. Again, just three steps and the job is done.

1. Chop the leaves. You can use the stems, too, as they have tons of flavor.
2. Push the chopped leaves into the bottom of an ice cube tray and cover it with water.
3. Place the tray in the freezer.

Another alternative is to place your excess cilantro into a blender or food processor and blitz it. You can portion this out, as above, into ice cube trays.

Transfer the frozen cubes into a freezer bag afterward if you need the ice cube trays for another purpose.

Once you know how to freeze cilantro, you can also freeze many other herbs in the same way.

How to Use It

You won’t get the same consistency with frozen cilantro as with fresh — it loses its fresh, crispy texture. So, it is much better used as an ingredient than a garnish. But you can easily use frozen sprigs or cubes in curries,  soups, sauces, dips and more.

Why not try adding them to a homemade burger, or using them in asparagus or squash soup? They can spice up a crock pot dish, and cilantro goes particularly well in tacos. You can even throw the cubes into a hot sauce.  

Read more:

• 12 Herbs For Your Kitchen Garden
• How to Dry Basil: An Easy Herb Drying Guide
• DIY Pumpkin Smoothie – An Easy, Healthy Recipe
• 7 Smart Household Hacks for Freezing Foods Without Plastic

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