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What can I do with leftover parsley and cilantro?

Author

Matthew Martinez

Updated on February 28, 2026

What can I do with leftover parsley and cilantro?

Anytime I'm blending/pureeing cilantro or parsley, I use them stems.

Use Up Cilantro and Parsley

  1. Yogurt Dressing.
  2. Olive Tapenade.
  3. Homemade Ranch.
  4. Herb Hemp Dressing.
  5. Tahini Parsley Sauce.
  6. Parsley Pesto.

Besides, what can I do with leftover parsley?

But here are a handful of new ideas for using up the last of your leafy herb.

  1. Parsley Broth. If you're in the habit of making chicken or vegetable stock, then you have an automatic way to use up those extra leaves and stems.
  2. Smoothies and Juices.
  3. Tabbouleh and Grain Salads.
  4. Meatballs.
  5. Pickles and Fermenting.

Furthermore, what can I do with extra fresh cilantro? 10 Fun Uses for Extra Herbs

  1. Wash, chop, freeze.
  2. Add some water.
  3. Spice up your salsa.
  4. Rethink taco Tuesday.
  5. Say goodbye to boring salads.
  6. Don't neglect the stems!
  7. Switch up your skewers.
  8. Add more green to your smoothie.

Herein, how do you preserve fresh cilantro and parsley?

How to Store Parsley, Cilantro, and Other Fresh Herbs

  1. 1 Snip off the bottom of the stems.
  2. 2 Make sure the leaves are completely dry.
  3. 3 Fill a jar or a water glass partially with water and place the stem ends of the herbs into the water in the jar.
  4. 4 If you are storing the herbs in the refrigerator, cover loosely with a plastic bag.

Can you use cilantro and parsley together?

One of the most compatible herbs - goes well with basil, bay, chives, cilantro, garlic, oregano, mint, parsley, rosemary, sage, savory, and thyme. Cool and refreshing 'minty' flavor. Use carefully with other herbs, can be combined with basil, lemon balm, nasturtium, parsley, tarragon, and watercress.

What is the best way to preserve fresh parsley?

Don't throw the paper towels away! Rather, wrap the herbs loosely in the dampened paper towels and place them in a resealable bag. Seal the bag and refrigerate. This method, which allows the herbs to retain plenty of moisture, will keep your parsley fresh and wilt-free for 3–5 days.

Can fresh parsley be frozen for later use?

Just wash the parsley leaves, and either spin them in a salad spinner and/or dry with paper towel. Next, chop the parsley to your liking. Once you've chopped all the parsley (I leave off the thick part of the stems), put it in a container or freezer bag, and freeze.

Can you eat parsley stems?

You can eat the stems of parsley, but they are much more bitter than the leaves, so I recommend just using the leaves for most recipes. By placing all stems together, you can easily remove them in one quickly cut.

What are the health benefits of parsley?

Rich in antioxidants and nutrients like vitamins A, K, and C, parsley may improve blood sugar and support heart, kidney, and bone health. What's more, this herb can easily be added to many tasty dishes. Parsley stays fresh for up to two weeks, whereas dried parsley may last up to a year.

What is the taste of parsley?

Parsley has a clean and peppery taste with a touch of earthiness, making it a great all-rounder in the kitchen. Running through each leaf is a natural aromatic oil, and it's this which is responsible for its unmistakable flavour.

Can Parsley be eaten raw?

Yes, parsley can be eaten raw. It's leaves are eaten dried or fresh.

Can I freeze fresh cilantro?

A super simple way to freeze cilantro for later is to stash in a zip-top freezer bag. To do this, wash your cilantro and pat dry with a clean dishtowel. Place the sprigs in resealable bags and toss in the freezer.

What is the best way to store cilantro?

Loosely cover the leaves with an upside-down plastic bag and pop it in the fridge. Storing cilantro this way will keep it fresh for as long as a month — just make sure to occasionally refresh the water in the jar. You can also use this same method for other leafy herbs like parsley and mint.

How do you keep cilantro fresh in paper towels?

Method 1: Paper towel + Plastic Bag
  1. Separate the bunch of cilantro into 3-4 smaller bunches. Place this on top of a dry paper towel with some space in between.
  2. Place this inside a ziplock bag. Push all the air out as much as you can.

How do you thaw frozen cilantro?

There's no need to defrost before using - they'll just soften in a minute or so as soon as they come out of the freezer. If you want to dry herbs, then a super quick way is drying in the microwave - oven drying is fairly quick, around two hours, but microwave takes up to two minutes.

Can you air dry cilantro?

To air dry cilantro, arrange it into small bunches and tie the cut stem ends together with a string or kitchen twine. Hang cilantro upside down to dry using twine or string. It is optional to tie a brown paper bag around the herbs.

How do you freeze cilantro oil?

Using a large spoon, fill ice cube trays with the cilantro puree. The olive oil helps to preserve the flavor and the color. You will be amazed at the brilliant green of these cubes. Freeze for several hours until the cubes are solid enough to handle.

Can you dehydrate cilantro?

Once you've cleaned and dried the cilantro leaves, lay them on dehydrator trays in a single layer. You should process these in your favorite dehydrator at 110° for approximately 1 to 3 hours. They dry fairly quick so keep an eye out. You'll know they are done when the leaves are crisp and crumble between your fingers.

How do you keep cilantro from going bad?

The best way to store cilantro and keep it fresh is to put it in the fridge or freezer. Cut off the root and pat dry the leaves using paper towels. Put the stems in a jar with a small amount of water, and cover the leaves with a plastic bag. Store it in the fridge for two weeks.

What are the benefits of eating cilantro?

Nutrition. Cilantro contains vitamins A, C, and K, and the leaves also have folate, potassium, and manganese. However, it's rarely eaten in large enough amounts to be a significant source of these nutrients.

Can you dry cilantro in the microwave?

Lay out the herbs in a single layer on a piece of paper and microwave at full power for anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute and a half, depending on the herb. Some herbs are mostly water, like cilantro and parsley, and will dry quicker than those that contain more essential oils, like oregano and sage.

Can you freeze cilantro and parsley?

For long-term storage, tender herbs like mint, parsley and cilantro can be removed from their stems and frozen into ice cubes. Pack ice cube trays with chopped or whole leaf herbs, cover with water and pop into the freezer.

Does cilantro need to be washed?

Fresh cilantro is often very sandy, so before using it, it's best to give the leaves a good rinsing. To wash cilantro, hold the bunch by the stems and agitate the leaves in a large bowl of cold water. Change the water once or twice, or until it is free of grit. (The small stems are okay to keep and chop.)

What foods go well with cilantro?

Cilantro Sweet, sour avocado, bell pepper, coconut milk, corn, cucumber, rice, figs, yogurt, carrots, potatoes, soups, stews, root vegetables basil, chives, dill, garlic, ginger, lemon grass, mint, parsley Cilantro will keep for 3-5 days in the refrigerator vegetable crisper.

Can you eat cilantro stems?

Cilantro stems are tender, flavorful, and — most importantly — edible. Chop them up right along with the leaves to add to recipes or whip them, like in this one here. This green cilantro sauce is best when served up at cookouts, right along with whatever you're throwing on the flame.

How much is too much cilantro?

But when you consume too much of it, you end up upsetting your stomach and developing various digestive disorders. According to a medical report, consumption of 200 ml cilantro extract (10%) for one long week can result in extreme gas formation, stomach pain, abdominal cramps, vomiting and sometimes even loose motion.

What is the difference between cilantro and parsley?

1. Parsley has a milder flavor, while cilantro is bolder. Between the two, parsley is the tamer of the herbs. But while it does have some similar tasting notes to parsley, cilantro's flavor is much stronger.

Do basil and cilantro grow well together?

Cilantro grows well in close proximity to other herbs with similar water and full-sun needs, such as basil, parsley, and chervil. You can even plant these herbs all together in one herb-garden container for easy watering.

Do you chop the stems of cilantro?

Hold herb bunch and run your knife down it.

Hold the bunch of parsley or cilantro in one hand and your knife in the other. Run your knife down the herbs, stem to leaves, at an angle, pressing against the stems, so that you cut of the top tender stems and leaves.

Which spices go well together?

Spice and Herb Pairing Guide for Vegetables and Fruits
Vegetable or FruitPairs Well With
Beans, GreenBasil, Caraway, Clove, Dill, Marjoram, Mint, Sage, Savory, Thyme
BroccoliBasil, Dill, Garlic, Lemon Balm, Marjoram, Oregano, Tarragon, Thyme
CabbageBasil, Caraway, Cayenne Pepper, Cumin, Dill, Fennel, Marjoram, Sage, Savory

Do you use cilantro stems in guacamole?

Chop the cilantro stems and all and add to the mashed avocado with the juice of two limes. See all recipes and cooking videos from Chef Donald Link.

How do I use a lot of cilantro?

30 Cilantro-Heavy Recipes to Use Up That Extra Bunch
  1. Cilantro Salad with Olives, Avocado, and Limes.
  2. Bacon and Egg Fried Rice.
  3. Spicy Mint, Cilantro, and Chia Seed Chutney.
  4. Classic Guacamole.
  5. Mussels with Coconut Sweet Chili Broth.
  6. Mexican Scrambled Eggs.
  7. Avocado Mashed Potatoes.
  8. Rib-Eye Steak with Chimichurri.

Which herbs do not go together?

The herbs anise and dill will have a negative effect on your carrots, while dill goes a little further and harms your garden tomatoes.

Rue, Anise and Dill

  • Sage.
  • Basil.
  • Cabbage.
  • Carrots.
  • Tomatoes.