How To Preserve Cilantro And Parsley

You can preserve cilantro and parsley for weeks by treating them like fresh flowers and keeping their stems in water.
 
This simple trick works because herbs stay hydrated and their leaves stop wilting so fast.
 
If you’ve ever wondered how to preserve cilantro and parsley without losing that fresh, punchy flavor, you’re in the right place.
 
Whether you grow them, buy big bunches, or just hate tossing slimy greens, these storage methods will save you money and time.
 
In this post, we’ll cover how to preserve cilantro and parsley in the fridge, how to freeze them, and how to dry them so you always have fresh herbs on hand.
 
Let’s keep your herbs alive and kicking.
 

How to Preserve Cilantro and Parsley in the Fridge

The most common way to preserve cilantro and parsley is to store them in the refrigerator the right way.
 
Here’s how to do it.
 

1. Treat Them Like a Bouquet of Flowers

Stand the cilantro and parsley upright in a glass or jar with an inch or two of water.
 
This is the easiest way to preserve cilantro and parsley because the stems keep drawing up water, which keeps the leaves crisp.
 
Loosely cover the top with a plastic bag and change the water every couple of days.
 
This method can preserve cilantro and parsley for up to two weeks.
 

2. Wrap Them in Slightly Damp Paper Towels

If you don’t have counter space or jars, you can still preserve cilantro and parsley by wrapping the herbs in a damp paper towel.
 
Then place the bundle inside a zip-top bag and squeeze out as much air as possible.
 
This helps preserve cilantro and parsley because the paper towel controls moisture without soaking the leaves.
 
Store the bag in the crisper drawer for the best results.
 

3. Keep Them Away From Ethylene Producers

To preserve cilantro and parsley longer, keep them away from bananas, apples, and tomatoes.
 
Those fruits release ethylene gas, which speeds up yellowing and decay in herbs.
 
So if you want to preserve cilantro and parsley for over a week, give them their own corner of the fridge.
 

How to Preserve Cilantro and Parsley by Freezing

If you have more herbs than you can use in a week, freezing is a great way to preserve cilantro and parsley for months.
 
Here are the best ways to do it.
 

1. Freeze the Leaves Whole in Bags

Wash and dry the cilantro and parsley completely, then strip the leaves from the stems.
 
Spread the leaves on a baking sheet and freeze them for an hour before transferring to freezer bags.
 
This technique helps preserve cilantro and parsley without them clumping into a solid brick.
 
They won’t be crisp for salads, but they’re perfect for cooked dishes.
 

2. Freeze Them in Olive Oil or Water

Another way to preserve cilantro and parsley is to chop them finely and pack them into ice cube trays.
 
Cover the chopped herbs with olive oil, melted butter, or water, then freeze.
 
Once solid, pop the cubes out and store them in a freezer bag.
 
This method lets you preserve cilantro and parsley in perfect portions for soups, stews, and sauces.
 

3. Blanch Before Freezing for Longer Storage

If you plan to keep them for more than six months, blanching helps preserve cilantro and parsley better.
 
Drop the herbs into boiling water for just 30 seconds, then plunge them into ice water.
 
Pat dry, chop, and freeze.
 
This step locks in color and flavor so you can preserve cilantro and parsley without them turning dull.
 

How to Preserve Cilantro and Parsley by Drying

Drying is another classic way to preserve cilantro and parsley, though the flavor does change a bit.
 
Parsley dries better than cilantro, but both work if you’re using them in cooked recipes.
 

1. Air Dry in Bunches

Tie the stems together and hang them upside down in a dark, dry, well-ventilated room.
 
This method can preserve cilantro and parsley in about one to two weeks.
 
Once the leaves crumble easily, strip them off and store them in airtight jars.
 

2. Use an Oven or Dehydrator

If you want to preserve cilantro and parsley faster, spread the leaves on a baking sheet and dry them at the lowest oven setting.
 
A food dehydrator works even better because it keeps the temperature low and steady.
 
Either way, you can preserve cilantro and parsley in just a few hours.
 

3. Store Dried Herbs Away From Heat and Light

To preserve cilantro and parsley after drying, keep them in sealed jars in a cool, dark cabinet.
 
Heat, light, and moisture will kill the flavor fast.
 
Properly stored, dried herbs keep for about a year.
 

So, How to Preserve Cilantro and Parsley?

You can preserve cilantro and parsley by keeping them in water in the fridge, wrapping them in damp paper towels, or freezing and drying them for long-term storage.
 
Each method works differently, so pick the one that fits how you cook.
 
If you use herbs fresh every week, the jar method is your best friend.
 
If you want to preserve cilantro and parsley for months, freezing or drying will do the trick.
 
Now you know exactly how to preserve cilantro and parsley so nothing goes to waste again.