How to Keep Cilantro Fresh for Weeks-The Curry Mommy

This ancient Indian method will help keep your fresh cilantro stay crisp and green until your next produce run, trust. Read below to see how to store cilantro and other leafy green herbs to keep them fresh for weeks at a time! In this post, I introduce my “roll” technique and then advise to refrigerate the tasty herb. You won’t be disappointed.

How to Keep Cilantro Fresh

Because of the world pandemic, I went back to an old technique and what I discovered was mind blowing!

Keeping cilantro fresh for weeks. How to store them

How to keep cilantro fresh longer?

Dry the herb completely before storing it away. I recommend laying them on a towel and then rolling the towel like a pinwheel. The extra layer of moisture capturing cotton will help keep the cilantro fresh for a lot longer.

Keeping cilantro fresh has never been easier with the use of these cotton towels and my rolling technique. Read my Step by Step instructions on my fail-proof method of keeping cilantro fresh for weeks at a time.

How this method came about

I decided to pull out my cotton kitchen towels and stored cilantro wrapped in them for about 10 days. During these days, I checked on my cilantro and removed a few yellow/brown pieces that might be the bad “leaf” in the bunch. Honestly, there were a few to none. Regardless, I wouldn’t want those suckers ruining the others. Afterwards I rolled it back into a nice burrito, placed it in a plastic bag, sealed it shut, and placed the herb back in the fridge.

THEN… I forgot about it for a week. Literally, I forgot about that entire bag of cilantro. After a week went by, I opened the bag and unfolded the towel. The result was shocking! Which is why I am here sharing the results with you.

My previous trial and errors have been:

wrapping in newspaper or paper towels
using special cilantro containers (I have no space in my fridge)
finely cutting the cilantro and placing it in a container with a paper towel on the bottom and top (works well for a week)
pre-washing and then drying overnight
leaving it as is from the grocery store (guilty AF)

Not going to lie, I didn’t make it a priority to learn how to keep my cilantro fresh for longer than a week, until this pandemic hit! I am very thankful for companies like Farm Fresh To You who are able to deliver fresh groceries. Even then, keeping cilantro fresh became a priority.

Step-by-Step Instructions

After purchasing and coming home, unwrap the cilantro from the bundle and shake off any excess water that you may have brought home (in a sink or outside).
Cut the ends off of the cilantro and take out any yellow or brown ends/leaves.
DO NOT WASH THE CILANTRO!
Lay the cilantro on a hand towel and let it air dry for no more than an hour or two (until the water is completely dry)
Grab this towel or something similar and lay it flat on a counter space.
Lay the cilantro evenly on top of the towel with stems all on one side and tips on the other.
Begin lightly rolling the cilantro from one end to the other tucking in the ends as you go (like a burrito).
Place the towel inside a plastic bag (ziploc) and seal it shut with very little air inside the bag.
Refrigerate the whole bag.
Check the bag once a week to remove the bad leaves and stems.
Wash the cilantro before using.

What’s my big tip to keep cilantro fresh?

Don’t wash it! Not. Joking. I think over the years we became accustomed to washing all of our herbs and veggies as soon as we get them, but this one tip is saving my herbs!

To give me more of a piece of mind- I thought about what I do to onions, potatoes, garlic, etc after purchasing and bringing them home. I don’t wash it until I use it… That gave me a better sense of calm to adjust to this new habit and quite frankly I am happy to say that my produce is lasting longer.

What towel do I recommend?

These thin cotton towels are a big savior when it comes to wrapping the herb. They are very useful for everyday tasks and kitchen hacks. Plus, they wash well and store in compact space. Your mind will be blown, hands down! Click below to purchase or see if you have something similar hanging out in your home already :).