How to Preserve Cilantro So It Won’t Go Bad for Months

A aromatic herb used in many recipes, cilantro spoils easily if improperly stored. To guarantee you always have this herb on hand when you need it, there are a few easy techniques to preserve cilantro and keep it fresh for months. This is how you do it:

Method 1: Put the cilantro in ice cube trays and freeze.

• One of the finest ways to keep cilantro’s flavor for a long time is to freeze it. You may easily use portioned amounts for cooking by freezing it in ice cube trays.

What You’ll require:

1. fresh cilantro
2. Ice cube tray
3. Water or olive oil
4. Safe-for-freezer bag or container

Guidelines:

• Wash and Chop the Cilantro: To get rid of any dirt or debris, give the cilantro a quick rinse under cool water. Using paper towels or a fresh towel, pat it dry. Finely chop the cilantro.
• Fill the Ice Cube Tray: Fill each part of the ice cube tray approximately halfway with chopped cilantro.
• Add Olive Oil or Water: Drizzle the tray of cilantro with either olive oil or water, being sure to cover the entire amount of the herb. The oil or water keeps the cilantro from freezing burnt while preserving its freshness.
• Freeze: Put the tray in the freezer and leave it there until it is totally frozen, usually a few hours.
• To store the cilantro cubes, remove them from the freezer and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Put the date on the bag’s label and keep it in the freezer. In the freezer, the cilantro cubes will keep for three to four months.
• Use As Needed: To add cilantro to a recipe, just add a cube while it’s cooking. If you use oil, it will also enhance the taste and texture of your food.

Method 2: Let the cilantro dry

• Another approach to keep cilantro fresh for months is to dry it out. Its bright flavor may be slightly diminished by drying, but it’s still a good way to preserve food for a long time.

What You’ll require:

1. fresh cilantro
2. Towels or a rack for drying
3. airtight canister or jar

Guidelines:

• Wash and Dry: Give the cilantro a good rinse in cold water, then use paper towels to pat dry.
• Air Dry: Place the cilantro bunches upside down in a well-ventilated place or tie them in little bunches and hang them on a drying rack. Depending on the humidity level, let them air dry for one to two weeks, or until the leaves are completely dry and crumbly.
• Crumble the cilantro leaves and place them in an airtight jar or container after they have completely dried. Store dried cilantro in a cool, dark area to keep it fresh for up to six months.

Method 3: Freezing and Blanching

• Blanching cilantro prior to freezing aids in maintaining its vibrant green hue and freshness.

What You’ll require:

1. fresh cilantro
2. Water that is boiling
3. Cold water
4. freezer-safe bag

Guidelines:

• Boil a kettle of water to blanch the cilantro. Let the cilantro steep in the hot water for ten to fifteen seconds.
• Chill in Ice Water: To halt the cooking process, quickly place the blanched cilantro in a bowl of ice water. Give it a half-minute or so in the icy water.
• Pat the cilantro dry with a towel before freezing it. Take the cilantro, squeeze out as much air as you can, and seal the bag that is safe to store in the freezer. For up to 4-6 months, keep it frozen.

Method 4: Pasted cilantro

• The flavor of cilantro may be retained and it becomes easier to employ in recipes by processing it into a paste.

What You’ll require:

1. fresh cilantro
2. Olive oil
3. food processor or blender
4. airtight bag or freezer-safe container

Guidelines:

• Blend the Cilantro: Put the cilantro in a food processor or blender and cover with a little olive oil. Process till smooth.
• Keep in a Container: Spoon the paste made from the cilantro into a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container. Seal it tightly, force out the air, and freeze.
• Use in Cooking: You may use the paste straight out of the freezer for stir-fries, soups, and sauces. Cilantro can be preserved this way for up to six months.

In summary:

• These techniques allow you to store cilantro for months without having to worry about it going bad. Whether you like to freeze, dry, or make a paste, these methods will enable you to use cilantro that tastes fresh in your cooking anytime you need it!