What To Do With Leftover Parsley And Cilantro

Leftover parsley and cilantro can be turned into vibrant sauces, refreshing drinks, herb butters, and even frozen flavor cubes instead of being tossed in the trash.
 
If you’ve ever stared at a wilting bunch of leftover parsley and cilantro in your fridge and wondered what to do with them, you’re definitely not alone.
 
The good news is that leftover parsley and cilantro are incredibly versatile, and there are plenty of easy ways to use them up before they go bad.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through the best things to do with leftover parsley and cilantro, from simple sauces to clever storage tricks.
 
Let’s dive in.
 

What to Do With Leftover Parsley and Cilantro

Leftover parsley and cilantro can be repurposed in dozens of delicious ways, and here are the best options:
 

1. Blend Them Into Chimichurri or Pesto

One of the fastest ways to use up leftover parsley and cilantro is to blend them into a fresh chimichurri or herb pesto.
 
Chimichurri traditionally calls for parsley, but adding cilantro gives it a bright, zesty twist that works beautifully on grilled steak, chicken, or roasted vegetables.
 
Just pulse your leftover parsley and cilantro with olive oil, garlic, red wine vinegar, and a pinch of salt.
 
If you’d rather make pesto, swap the basil for your leftover parsley and cilantro, then add nuts, Parmesan, and lemon juice.
 
Either way, you’ll have a jar of green gold that lasts for days in the fridge.
 

2. Whip Up a Cilantro-Lime Crema or Yogurt Sauce

If you have leftover cilantro specifically, a cilantro-lime crema is one of the most rewarding things to make.
 
Blend leftover cilantro with sour cream or Greek yogurt, lime juice, garlic, and a little salt.
 
This sauce is fantastic on tacos, burrito bowls, grilled fish, and even roasted potatoes.
 
And if you also have leftover parsley on hand, toss a handful in too.
 
The parsley mellows out the cilantro’s punch and adds a fresh, grassy note that balances everything nicely.
 

3. Make Herb-Infused Olive Oil or Vinegar

Another smart way to use leftover parsley and cilantro is to infuse oil or vinegar with them.
 
Gently warm olive oil, then add chopped leftover parsley and cilantro and let it sit for a few hours.
 
Strain it, and you’ll have a beautifully green, herbaceous oil perfect for drizzling over bread, pasta, or salads.
 
You can do the same with white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar for a tangy dressing base.
 
This method stretches your leftover parsley and cilantro much further than you’d expect.
 

4. Toss Them Into Smoothies or Green Juices

Yes, really.
 
Leftover parsley and cilantro are both mild enough to blend into smoothies without overpowering the fruit.
 
Cilantro pairs surprisingly well with pineapple, mango, and banana, while parsley works great with apple, cucumber, and lemon.
 
Just add a small handful of your leftover parsley and cilantro to your blender along with your usual ingredients.
 
You’ll get a nutrient boost and a fresh flavor that doesn’t taste like a salad in a cup.
 

5. Freeze Them in Oil or Water Cubes

If you can’t use your leftover parsley and cilantro right away, freezing is your best friend.
 
Chop the herbs finely, then pack them into ice cube trays and cover with olive oil or water.
 
Once frozen, pop the cubes out and store them in a freezer bag.
 
Whenever a recipe calls for fresh herbs, just toss a cube or two straight into the pan.
 
This is one of the most practical things to do with leftover parsley and cilantro because it prevents waste and saves you money.
 

Creative Ways to Use Leftover Parsley and Cilantro in Everyday Cooking

Beyond sauces and freezing, there are plenty of everyday dishes where leftover parsley and cilantro shine.
 

1. Fold Them Into Eggs and Omelets

Finely chop your leftover parsley and cilantro and stir them into scrambled eggs, omelets, or frittatas.
 
The herbs add a fresh, bright flavor that makes a simple breakfast feel restaurant-worthy.
 

2. Sprinkle Them Over Soups and Stews

A handful of leftover parsley and cilantro stirred into a bowl of soup or stew at the end of cooking adds instant freshness.
 
Cilantro works especially well in tortilla soup, lentil soup, and chicken stew.
 

3. Mix Them Into Rice, Quinoa, or Couscous

Fluff your grains with a fork, then fold in chopped leftover parsley and cilantro along with a squeeze of lemon.
 
This simple trick turns plain rice or quinoa into a vibrant side dish in seconds.
 

4. Add Them to Salads and Salad Dressings

Toss leftover parsley and cilantro into green salads, pasta salads, or grain bowls.
 
You can also blend them into a vinaigrette with olive oil, vinegar, mustard, and honey for a dressing that tastes incredibly fresh.
 

5. Use Them as a Garnish for Everything

Sometimes the simplest answer is the best one.
 
Sprinkle chopped leftover parsley and cilantro over tacos, curry, grilled meat, roasted veggies, or even pizza.
 
It’s an easy way to add color and flavor while using up what you have.
 

6. Stir Them Into Compound Butter

Soften a stick of butter, then mash in finely chopped leftover parsley and cilantro with garlic and lemon zest.
 
Roll it into a log, chill it, and slice off pieces whenever you want to upgrade steak, corn on the cob, or crusty bread.
 

How to Store Leftover Parsley and Cilantro So They Last Longer

Storing leftover parsley and cilantro properly buys you more time to use them.
 

1. The Damp Paper Towel Method

Wrap your leftover parsley and cilantro in a slightly damp paper towel, then place them in a zip-top bag.
 
This keeps the herbs hydrated without making them soggy, and they’ll last over a week in the fridge.
 

2. The Glass Jar Method

Treat leftover parsley and cilantro like flowers by trimming the stems and standing them in a glass of water.
 
Cover the tops loosely with a plastic bag and change the water every couple of days.
 

3. Blanch and Freeze

For longer storage, blanch your leftover parsley and cilantro for a few seconds, then plunge them into ice water.
 
Squeeze out the excess moisture, chop, and freeze in bags.
 
They’ll keep for months and taste far better than dried herbs.
 

So, What to Do With Leftover Parsley and Cilantro?

Leftover parsley and cilantro can be blended into chimichurri, whipped into crema, frozen into cubes, or simply sprinkled over your favorite dishes.
 
There’s really no reason to let them wilt in the crisper drawer when so many easy options exist.
 
Whether you turn your leftover parsley and cilantro into a sauce, a compound butter, or a freezer stash, you’re saving money and adding flavor at the same time.
 
So next time you’re wondering what to do with leftover parsley and cilantro, pick one of these ideas and get cooking.