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Cilantro is an herb that resembles parsley and is used in many diverse dishes. It has an earthy aroma and adds a fresh and sweet dimension of flavor to vegetable and fruit salsas and sauces. However, to make a salsa or sauce that picks up the flavor of this aromatic herb, cilantro needs to be chopped a particular way. By cutting cilantro properly, your dishes can benefit from the aromatic scent and flavor this herb provides.
Steps
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Fill a medium sized bowl with cold water. Take the bundle of cilantro and place it inside the bowl. Twirl the cilantro around in the bowl and then let it soak for about 10 minutes. This helps to gently loosen any dirt particles on the cilantro leaves. -
Set the bundle of cilantro in a colander. Turn on cold water and place the cilantro underneath the water in the kitchen sink. Rinse the cilantro well. Move the bundle of cilantro around while the water hits it.- By moving the cilantro around, you help to rinse away dirt particles underneath and between the leaves [1] X Research source
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Shake the colander with the cilantro bundle well until all of the excess water exits the colander. Place the cilantro onto a large paper towel. Absorb any excess water from the cilantro with the paper towel. Keep the paper towel for storing the leftover cilantro.
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Look through the cilantro for any discolored or wilted cilantro leaves. Pick these out of the bundle and discard appropriately (compost if available). You can simply use your hands for this. Make sure only the healthy, green leaves remain. -
Decide how much of the stems you want to keep. Depending on your preference for the texture and taste of cilantro stems, you may want to remove some of the long stems of the cilantro. For salsas and curries, many find the cilantro stems add a pleasant amount of concentrated cilantro flavor. [2] X Expert Source Randall Chambers
Personal Chef Expert Interview. 1 March 2022. If your recipe doesn't specify on the inclusion of stems, use your best judgement.- For instance, pico de gallo is usually made with cilantro leaves. [3]
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Expert Source
Randall Chambers
Personal Chef Expert Interview. 1 March 2022.
- For instance, pico de gallo is usually made with cilantro leaves. [3]
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Expert Source
Randall Chambers
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Remove however much of the stems you wish. Place a cutting board on the counter. Place the cilantro on the cutting board and with a sharp knife, cut the long stems. These stems are located near the bottom of the cilantro bundle.
- You can place a moist washcloth underneath the cutting board to help provide traction so the cutting board does not slide around when you are chopping the cilantro bundle.
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Chop the bundle of cilantro in half, using the middle as a guideline. This is where the abundance of cilantro leaves are located. When you need to use a small amount of cilantro, separate the bunches in half. Avoid removing the leaves from the portion of the cilantro you are storing for later, as it will last longer intact. [4] X Research source
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Store the unused cilantro. Wrap the unused bundle and the stems in the paper towel you used to dry the cilantro. Place them in a zip lock bag and place the bag in the refrigerator. [5] X Expert Source Randall Chambers
Personal Chef Expert Interview. 1 March 2022. This will keep it fresh for three to five days. [6] X Research source -
Decide how finely chopped you want your cilantro. Cilantro is tender, so it isn't usually necessary for it to be very finely chopped. The later in the cooking process you intend on adding the cilantro, the more finely it should be chopped. If you are using your cilantro as a garnish, chop it just enough so that it can be easily sprinkled over your food. -
4Fold the bunch of cilantro leaves in half and place them on the cutting board. Use a rocking motion with the knife when chopping cilantro. Go back again with the knife to ensure that all the cilantro is chopped. Regardless of how fine you want your cilantro, try to keep the chop even.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat part of cilantro are you supposed to eat?Randall (Randy) Chambers is a Personal Chef and the Owner of Luxury Meals From Home based in Arvada, Colorado. He has more than 16 years of commercial kitchen experience, five years of sous chef experience, and two years of experience as an executive chef. Chef Randy draws inspiration from his half Bolivian background and his forte is South American cuisine. He holds an Associate’s degree in Culinary Arts from The Art Institute.Cilantro is actually one of the few herbs where you can eat the entire thing. What you include in your food really depends on the recipe.
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QuestionHow should I prepare for use in salsa or pico de gallo?Community AnswerCut it very fine; you can chop the stems, too.
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QuestionHow long does cilantro last in the refrigerator?Community AnswerWhen stored in a plastic, zippered bag, cilantro typically lasts 3 to 5 days. For more information on storage, check out How to Store Cilantro.
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Tips
- Always make sure to rinse the cutting board with soap and water after chopping cilantro, which helps to kill any bacteria or dirt left on the cutting board. Use 1 cutting board for cutting meat and poultry items and use a different cutting board to chop fruits, vegetables and herbs.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Cilantro bundle
- Colander
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Zip lock bag
- Paper towels
References
- ↑ http://www.freshbitesdaily.com/freezing-cilantro/
- ↑ Randall Chambers. Personal Chef. Expert Interview. 1 March 2022.
- ↑ Randall Chambers. Personal Chef. Expert Interview. 1 March 2022.
- ↑ http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips-techniques/preparation/prepare-cilantro
- ↑ Randall Chambers. Personal Chef. Expert Interview. 1 March 2022.
- ↑ http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips-techniques/preparation/prepare-cilantro
About This Article
Article Summary
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To chop cilantro, start by cutting off the stems with a sharp knife. Then, use the knife to chop the bundle of cilantro in half. After you chop the cilantro in half, take one of the piles and fold it in half, holding it with your fingers. Next, place the knife at one end of the folded pile and quickly rock it back and forth as you work your way across the cilantro. Once the first pile is chopped, repeat with the second pile of cilantro and then you're finished. Keep reading to learn more, such as how to rinse and clean the cilantro before you use it!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I always painstakingly pulled off each individual leaf before chopping. Although I still prefer my cilantro this way, it's nice to know I don't have to, and can leave some of the stem portion on." ..." more
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"I always painstakingly pulled off each individual leaf before chopping. Although I still prefer my cilantro this way, it's nice to know I don't have to, and can leave some of the stem portion on."
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"I've never been able to chop the cilantro well after rinsing it, because it was too soggy. With this explanation and video, I see the best way to do it. Thanks!"
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"I'm a young American chef, and I was in need of a bit of guidance. Much appreciated! I'll be sure to try it out and practice."
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"The information I received allowed me to properly prepare and store the cilantro."
"Loved the tips! Very thorough and easy to follow! My salsa turned out great!"
