How to Freeze Cilantro

Strong in flavor and scent, cilantro is a mainstay of many different cuisines around the world. Whether you grow your own cilantro or buy it at the shop, you may end up with more than you can use right away. But what if I told you there’s an easy way to keep your cilantro fresh and ready to use for months? Cilantro freezes well and is simpler than you might imagine!

Can You Freeze Cilantro?

Simply put, yes, you can freeze cilantro! Freezing cilantro is a terrific approach to keep its flavor and scent for later usage. It just takes a little planning and the appropriate methods. Prepare to savor that year-round blast of fresh, herbal delight in your favorite recipes!

How to Freeze Cilantro at Home?

Cut the cilantro into small pieces using a sharp knife. You can eat both the stems and the leaves, and they are both full of flavor. Put the chopped cilantro in a plastic bag with a zipper that can go in the freezer. Before closing the bag, squeeze out as much air as you can.

Preparing Cilantro for Freezing

Before freezing cilantro, it’s crucial to prepare it properly. Follow these steps:

Start with fresh cilantro. You need to start with the freshest, brightest cilantro you can find. If the leaves are limp or turning yellow, they won’t freeze well and the whole batch could go bad.
Wash it well: Rinse your cilantro under cool water to get rid of any dirt, bugs, or other small things that might be on it.
Thoroughly dry it. Use a clean dish towel or paper towels to dry the cilantro. If you leave any water behind, it can freeze, burn, and make the food taste bad.
Trim and cut (optional): If you intend to use your frozen cilantro for cooking, remove the thicker stems and coarsely chop the leaves. This makes it easy to put it right on food later.
Cut the cilantro into little pieces. That way, you can easily thaw only what you need later.

Method 1: Freeze in Zip-Top Bags

This is arguably the easiest and most straightforward method for freezing cilantro. Here’s how it’s done:

Portion it out: Sort your prepared cilantro into amounts that make sense for your culinary requirements; perhaps work with a cup or two at a time.
Bag it up: Squeeze as much air out of each piece as you can and then seal it in a zip-top freezer bag.
Label and freeze: Put each bag into the freezer (set at 0° F) after writing the date and contents using a permanent marker.
Pro tip: Place the bags flat in the freezer at first. This enables the cilantro to freeze in an equal, thin layer, which facilitates portioning off as needed.

Method 2: Freeze Cilantro in Ice Cube Trays

If you prefer to have individual, pre-portioned servings of frozen cilantro, this method is for you:

Finely chop the fresh cilantro, or pulse it in a food processor or blender with enough olive oil or water to form a thick puree.
Fill an ice cube tray, cover with a little water, and freeze.
After the cubes have solidly frozen, take them off the tray and put them in an airtight container or zip-top freezer bag.

How to Use Frozen Cilantro?

The enjoyable part now is using up your frozen cilantro supply! To start you out, consider these suggestions:

Toss it into stews and soups: For a quick taste boost, add a handful of frozen cilantro cubes or leaves to your favorite brothy recipes.
Work it into dips and sauces: Creamy dips like cilantro-lime crema and zingy sauces like chimichurri are made best with frozen cilantro.
Over burritos and tacos, sprinkle it: Flurry frozen cilantro over your Mexican-inspired dishes for a fresh, herbaceous garnish.
Stir into meals with rice and grains: For a taste and color explosion, stir frozen cilantro into steaming hot rice, quinoa, or couscous.

However, if the recipe asks for fresh cilantro, such as in salsas or garnishes, frozen cilantro will not have the same texture or look.

Other Ways to Preserve Cilantro

Fill a jar or water glass halfway with water and submerge the stem ends of the herbs.

Moreover, you can dry your own herbs. Hang bunches of cilantro, tying them together at the stems, upside down and out of direct sunlight. When dry, cut and store in jars.

Fresh cilantro may stay up to a week in the refrigerator when kept in a plastic bag or sealed container.

Combine fresh cilantro with olive oil, garlic, vinegar, cayenne pepper, salt, and nuts to make a tasty pesto that can be frozen in ice cube trays.

Final Thoughts

Cilantro may be enjoyed all year by simply and successfully freezing it. Whether you freeze it in zip-top bags or ice cube trays, appropriate preparation and storage are critical to maintaining its freshness.

So, the next time you have a surplus of fresh cilantro, do not squander it. Using those freezer-safe bags or ice cube trays, start storing those aromatic leaves. No matter the season, you’ll always have an abundance of flavorful cilantro at your fingertips with a little preparation effort.

FAQs

What is the best way to freeze cilantro?

For even longer storage, try freezing fresh cilantro. Lay clean, dry stems out on a lined baking sheet and freeze. Transfer to a zip-top freezer bag, squeeze out the air, and store for up to a month.

How do you preserve fresh cilantro?

As soon as the cilantro has wilted, immediately transfer it to the ice water. This eliminates the residual heat that would otherwise continue to cook it. Pat the blanched cilantro dry. Strip the leaves off the stems and transfer to freezer bags and freeze.

Is it better to freeze cilantro in water or olive oil?

If you’re going to freeze it this way, at least lightly toss the cilantro in olive oil first. The olive oil acts as a barrier from the cold, protecting the fragile leaves.

Does cilantro need to be blanched before freezing?

Herbs with delicate leaves should be blanched before sealing. This helps conserve the flavor when you open and use the plant later. Leafy greens like basil, chives, cilantro, dill, mint and parsley are best blanched before sealing.