Can You Freeze Cilantro? Easy Ways to Keep It Fresh Longer

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Can you freeze cilantro? Yes, you can freeze cilantro to keep its flavor and color for months. For cooking, soups, and sauces, freezing this fresh herb is the best way to keep it fresh. If you do it right, cilantro stays fresh and tasty for a long time. This guide shares you easy ways to freeze cilantro, store it, and use it.

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How Do You Freeze Fresh Cilantro?

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Freezing Cilantro in Bags

One of the best ways to preserve cilantro flavor for months is to freeze it. It's easy to do this, and the herb will stay fresh for a long time, even after late summer is over. Clean and dry fresh cilantro should be the first thing you do before sealing it for long term storage.

• Shelf Life: Generally retains best flavor for 1–3 months, although it may be usable up to six months

• Rinse and Dry: Place fresh cilantro in cold water to remove dirt, then use a salad spinner to shake off moisture and air dry completely.

• Chop and Prep: Remove the rubber band from the bunch and chop cilantro loosely, including the stems for extra flavor.

• Double Bagging: Place chopped cilantro in a freezer bag, press out air, seal tight, and add a second bag for added protection.

• Best For: Add frozen cilantro directly to cooked recipes like rice, garlic tomato sauces, or soups.

Freezing Cilantro in Oil Cubes

When cilantro is frozen, olive oil protects it and brings out its unique flavor. Making oil-covered cilantro cubes is one of the best ways to keep the color and smell for later use.

• Blend Ratio: Combine 1 cup packed cilantro leaves with ⅓ cup olive oil in a food processor or blender until smooth.

• Pour and Freeze: Pour the mixture into ice cube trays, cover with a plastic bag, and place in the freezer until firm.

• Pop and Store: Transfer each cube into a labeled freezer bag for easy use in recipes.

• Cooking Tip: Drop a frozen cube into a pot or pan for instant flavor when making pesto, stews, or stir fries.

• Color Retention: The oil prevents oxidation, helping cilantro maintain its bright green tone.

Is It Better to Freeze Cilantro in Water or Olive Oil?

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Why Oil Freezing Wins for Flavor

When you freeze with olive oil instead of water, the flavor and color are stronger and better. The oil keeps air out and stops oxidation, a chemical reaction that makes herbs fade and lose their flavor.

• Flavor Protection: Oil coats cilantro leaves and keeps the herb from drying or turning brown in the freezer.

• Aromatic Boost: When heated, the cubes release a fresh, cooked aroma perfect for soups, pestos, and sauces.

• Texture Preservation: Thawing oil-based cilantro cubes for use in recipes usually keeps them soft and smooth.

• Versatile Use: Oil cubes blend well with other herbs such as thyme or parsley in many recipes.

When Water-Freezing Works Best

An easy and lighter way to use instead of oil is to freeze cilantro with water. For healthy cooking, it keeps calories low and is great for soups and stews where texture isn't important.

• Preparation: Mix chopped cilantro and cold water in a blender, then pour into an ice cube tray.

• Storage Tip: Once frozen, pop cubes into a plastic bag and remove as much air as possible before sealing.

• Shelf Life: Water-based cubes stay flavorful for about four to six months.

• Cooking Use: These cubes melt easily in hot rice, broths, and vegetable stews.

• Low-Fat Option: A smart choice for cooks who avoid added oil but still want fresh herb flavor.

What Can You Use Frozen Cilantro For?

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Cooking Ideas with Frozen Cilantro

Using frozen cilantro cubes is easy, cuts down on food waste, and keeps the flavor within reach. They work great with quick meals that need a herbal boost. One cube equals about one tablespoon of fresh cilantro leaves.

• Soups and Stews: Add one ice cube while cooking to release freshness throughout the dish.

• Curries and Stir Fries: Mix a cube with garlic, tomatoes, and oil to enhance your sauce base.

• Rice and Beans: Stir a cube into cooked rice or beans for a light herb accent.

• Sauces and Pesto: Use frozen cilantro cubes to prepare quick pesto or green sauces for cooked fish or chicken.

• Balanced Taste: The mixture brings depth and a hint of summer to warm dishes.

Defrosting and Usage Tips

It's easy and quick to defrost frozen cilantro. For most cooked recipes, you don't need to let the food thaw first, you can just add it right away. Thaw for a short time before using in cold dishes to get the texture back.

• For Hot Dishes: Drop frozen cubes straight into hot pots or pans to melt evenly.

• For Cold Recipes: Let the cube sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes, then drain excess oil or water.

• Blooming Herbs: Warm the cube in oil to release the aroma before adding other ingredients.

• Avoid Overheating: Too much heat can dull the flavor of delicate herbs.

• Reuse Idea: Mix thawed cilantro with other herbs like thyme or parsley for quick seasoning blends.

What’s The Best Way To Keep Cilantro?

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The Jar + Bag Method

Using a jar and a plastic bag will keep fresh cilantro crisp for weeks in the fridge. By storing herbs like flowers, this method lets the stems soak up water while keeping the leaves slightly damp. It’s an easy, low-cost way to store cilantro without freezing.

• Trim and Prep: Cut half an inch off the stems and remove the rubber band from the bunch.

• Add Water: Fill a small jar with an inch of cold water and place the cilantro stems inside like you would with flowers.

• Cover Lightly: Loosely drape a plastic bag over the leaves to trap gentle moisture and prevent drying.

• Fridge Placement: Store the jar near the door or on the top shelf, away from the coldest spots.

• Maintenance: Change the water every few days to maintain freshness and flavor.

Paper Towel And Airtight Container

Another easy way to store cilantro for a short time is to wrap it in paper towels and put it in an airtight container . It's great if you don't have a lot of room in your fridge or don't want to use jars.

• Drying Step: Wash cilantro in cold water, spin gently in a salad spinner, and air dry completely.

• Wrap Properly: Lay the cilantro leaves on paper towels, roll them loosely, and make sure the paper is damp, not wet.

• Seal Tightly: Place the roll in a reusable plastic bag or sealed container to keep air out.

• Check Weekly: Replace the paper towels when they become dry or slimy.

• Easy Access: Remove a small section at a time for cooking without unwrapping the whole bunch.

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Featured Cilantro Products

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• Simply Organic Cilantro: Dried herb that keeps its taste even after long storage.

• Wild Zora Quick Quinoa Meal, Baja Citrus: Includes lime and cilantro for a bright, ready-to-eat mix.

• Wild Zora Instant Soup, Lemon Chicken: Blended with herbs like green onion, dill, and cilantro for instant comfort food.

• Primal Palate Ginger Cilantro Blend: A balanced spice mix ideal for cooked dishes, salads, and marinades.

Final Thoughts

One easy way to save your harvest and enjoy garden-fresh food all year is to freeze cilantro. Herbs can be dried in a salad spinner before they are frozen, and cooking is easier with pureed cubes.

If you want to always have cilantro on hand for soups or as a garnish, these are the best ways to keep plants alive. Keep this method handy, it’s fresh flavor made simple for every home cook!

FAQs

Does freeze-dried cilantro taste like fresh cilantro?

Freeze-dried cilantro tastes less strong than fresh cilantro because pureed herbs lose moisture from harvest and drying plants.

Can I freeze herbs in Ziploc bags?

Yes, you can freeze freeze cilantro leaves and other herbs in Ziploc bags after drying with a salad spinner works for short storage from the garden.

What do you do with an abundance of cilantro?

Use extra cilantro from harvest for pureed cubes, sauces, soups, and garnish, these are favorite ways to preserve fresh plants.

What are the common mistakes in storing cilantro?

Common mistakes include skipping the salad spinner works step, not drying plants, or freezing wet herbs after garden harvest.

Does cilantro need to be blanched before freezing?

Cilantro does not need blanching; pureed cubes or bag storage after drying are the best plan for long freezer freshness.