This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
To store parsley and cilantro, you should treat them like fresh cut flowers rather than just tossing them in the crisper drawer.
Both parsley and cilantro are delicate herbs that wilt quickly, so knowing how to store parsley and cilantro properly makes a huge difference in how long they last.
The good news is that whether you have curly parsley, flat-leaf parsley, or fresh cilantro, the storage methods are almost identical.
In this post, we’ll cover the best ways to store parsley and cilantro so they stay fresh for weeks, plus a few simple tricks to revive them if they start to droop.
Let’s get to it.
How to Store Parsley and Cilantro: The Basics
To store parsley and cilantro successfully, you need to understand what makes them wilt in the first place.
1. Why Parsley and Cilantro Wilt So Fast
Parsley and cilantro are leafy herbs with thin stems and lots of surface area, so they lose moisture quickly.
When you store parsley and cilantro in a plastic bag straight from the store, condensation builds up, and that trapped moisture turns the leaves slimy.
On the flip side, if you leave them exposed to air in the fridge, they dry out and turn limp within a day or two.
That’s why the best way to store parsley and cilantro is to give them a little moisture without drowning them.
2. Should You Wash Them Before Storing?
If you want to store parsley and cilantro and have them last, don’t wash them until you’re ready to use them.
Extra water on the leaves encourages mold and rot, which is the last thing you want when you store parsley and cilantro for the long haul.
If your parsley or cilantro is already wet from the store, pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels before storing.
3. Trim the Stems First
Before you store parsley and cilantro, trim about half an inch off the bottom of the stems with a sharp knife.
This fresh cut helps the herbs take up water again, just like flowers in a vase.
It’s a small step, but it makes a big difference when you store parsley and cilantro for more than a few days.
Best Ways to Store Parsley and Cilantro
There are a few proven methods to store parsley and cilantro, and the one you pick depends on how soon you plan to use them.
1. The Jar or Glass Method
This is my favorite way to store parsley and cilantro because it keeps them upright and hydrated.
Fill a jar or glass with an inch or two of cold water and stand the herbs in it like a bouquet.
Loosely cover the tops with a plastic bag and store parsley and cilantro this way in the fridge.
Change the water every couple of days, and your herbs can last up to two weeks.
2. The Damp Paper Towel Method
If you’re short on fridge space, this is a great way to store parsley and cilantro flat.
Lay the herbs on a slightly damp paper towel, roll them up gently, and place the roll inside a zip-top bag.
Press out most of the air before sealing, then store parsley and cilantro in the crisper drawer.
This method keeps the humidity just right, so the herbs stay fresh without getting soggy.
3. Freezing Parsley and Cilantro
If you have more herbs than you can use, freezing is a smart way to store parsley and cilantro for months.
Chop the leaves, pack them into ice cube trays, and cover with water or olive oil.
Once frozen, pop the cubes into a freezer bag and store parsley and cilantro cubes for up to six months.
They won’t work as a fresh garnish, but they’re perfect for soups, stews, and sauces.
4. Avoid These Storage Mistakes
Don’t store parsley and cilantro near ethylene-producing fruits like bananas or apples, since the gas speeds up wilting.
Also, skip the airtight container with no airflow, because trapped moisture is the fastest way to ruin fresh herbs.
And never store parsley and cilantro in the warmest part of the fridge, like the door, where temperatures fluctuate.
How to Revive Wilted Parsley and Cilantro
If your herbs look sad, don’t toss them just yet.
Trim the stems again and place them in a glass of ice water for about 30 minutes.
You’ll be surprised how often this simple trick perks up parsley and cilantro that seemed too far gone.
Once they’re crisp again, you can store parsley and cilantro using any of the methods above.
So, How Do You Store Parsley and Cilantro?
To store parsley and cilantro, treat them like fresh flowers, keep them dry until use, and give them just the right amount of moisture.
Whether you choose the jar method, the damp paper towel trick, or freezing, the goal is the same: keep the herbs hydrated without trapping excess water.
With these tips, you’ll store parsley and cilantro like a pro and stop wasting money on herbs that wilt overnight.
Now go grab that bunch from your fridge and give it a little love.