How do you keep fresh cilantro from getting mushy.?

Question

I put it in a jar with water but it got gooey and stinky.

Answer 1

Keep it in a paper bag with a paper towel on the top shelf in the fridge, if you will be using it within a few days. To keep it longer, chop it up and put it in an ice-cube tray, fill the tray with water, and freeze... then you can just use however many cubes have enough cilantro in them to add to recipes as you need it.

Bon appetit!

Answer 2

Make sure that the leaves aren't in the water, as that will make them mushy faster. You might also want to change the water every other day.

If the leaves are wet, they will get mushy; but if you store the cilantro absolutely dry, it will not last as long. So depending on how long you want to keep it, the different suggestions already offered (ziploc with paper towel in the fridge, freezing, etc.) are great ideas. I usually wash my cilantro in cold water as soon as I bring it home, and then pick out the stems that are already going bad. I salad spin the rest and let it air dry, and then put it in a container standing upright, with just the bottom of the stems in the water and put the whole thing in the fridge. It is good for about 10 days this way, but only if the leaves are really dry, and I usually eat it up well before then.

Good luck.

Answer 3

It never lasts all that long. I keep it in the plastic bag in the fridge and use it within a few days. I wouldn't count on it staying fresh for more than a week. I buy cilantro every time I'm at the grocery store, basically since nearly everything I cook uses it. Supposedly if you can ever find it with the roots on, it may keep longer that way.

Answer 4

I have seen people wash their cilantro and then put in a jar with a small amount of water in the bottom. Before placing the cilantro in the jar you should snip off the bottoms. (about an inch or so.)

Answer 5

It's very easy to grow, but it's a cool weather plant. During the fall, I plant a couple of cilantro . Then, all I have to do is snip some leaves when i need it. But, you can do what the others said, too.... just wrap it in a paper towel in the frig. It'll hold for a couple of days.

Answer 6

If you have herbs or leafy greens when you bring them home from the store rinse them under water, then wrap them in a warm paper towel and put it in a ziplock baggie and it will keep fresh for 2-3 weeks. Or you could put it in a ziplock baggie and stick it in the freezer and when you take it out to thaw put it in a dry paper towel to soak up the moisture.

Answer 7

I purchased these great herb jars at a local gourmet food shop - they have screw off bottoms you put a little water in and a big rubber stopper top - they really seem to do the trick for me

Answer 8

I leave it on the plastic bag from the produce dept. and put in on the veggie drawer on the fridge do not close it, leave half open, it should last one or two weeks, if you can find the vegetable bags from Ziploc that have the tiny holes in them those are great, do not wash it until you are ready to use it.

Answer 9

well if you are growing cilantro whenthe flowers are coming out make sure you take them off the plant because that makes them mushy.

Answer 10

i take the bag i buy it in and twist it like a balloon and leave the air in it then tie it put it in the fridge it takes up a lot of space but it keeps for a long time