People eat cilantro because they like the flavor of this herb. Sometimes they buy a lot of it, and they do not want to waste this tasty plant. In nature, cilantro is a biennial plant – which means that it grows for two years – but it can wait forever to flower and die. This means that you have enough time to change the form of your cilantro from a fresh green into a dry one. For wait, there are some things that you need to know about how to dry cilantro.
Is it good to dry cilantro? Three Easy Ways to Dry Cilantro
It’s so easy to dry some cilantro, it takes hardly any room in the fridge, and once dried, it lasts for months! At home, you can dry it quite easily.
People have been drying herbs since the invention of the first dehydrator, over 1000 years ago. In fact, dry herbs have been used for quite a long time by many cultures throughout history.
How to air-dry cilantro?
- Cilantro needs 18-24 hours to dry, so be sure to plan ahead.
- Start by washing the cilantro under cold water.
- Then dry the leaves by placing them in a paper bag or on a plate and covering them with a kitchen towel.
- Check on the leaves every 30 minutes and remove them from the towel if they seem wrinkled.
- When leaves are completely dry, put them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- To use, simply remove the leaves from the fridge and tear them with your hands.
- This tip is from Teresa Cutter, Home Economist, PBS.
Cilantro can be dried with whole stalks or leaves.
Dry Cilantro Leaves
To dry the leaves, spread them out in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once they’re completely dry, put them in a large container and crush them using a mortar and pestle.
Dry Cilantro Stalks
To dry whole cilantro stalks, cut them into pieces and hang them upside down in a dry, airy place. After a day, they’ll be dry enough to use in cooking.
How to dry cilantro in a dehydrator
Dehydrators are a smart food preservation tool for the health-conscious home chef. With properly selected food, dehydration can preserve nutrients, flavors, and more.
Here are the steps to dry cilantro on a dehydrator:
- Wash the cilantro well and dry it.
- Remove the stems from the cilantro and discard them.
- Cut the leaves into 1-inch by 1-inch strips.
- Place the cilantro in a single layer in the dehydrator trays, making sure to space them evenly.
- Set the dehydrator to about 170 degrees.
- Turn on the dehydrator and allow it to run for 3 to 4 hours.
- After 8 hours, the cilantro should be dry, but not brittle.
- When the cilantro is done, shake the trays vigorously to fluff them and separate the leaves.
How to Dry Cilantro in Microwave
Here’s a fast and easy way to keep cilantro fresh: Wash and pat it dry, then wrap it in paper towels. Microwave the paper towels for a minute on high. The steam will wilt the leaves without cooking them. This trick also works for spinach, basil, and other herbs.
If your cilantro is dry, you can simply put it in a food processor or blender and pulse it for a few seconds to a coarse texture.
Conclusion:
Herbs continue to maintain their aroma and flavor when dried. Drying herbs will save you money and ensure that your flavors are fresh and potent. To dry cilantro, start with healthy-looking, fresh herbs. Wash the leaves and let them completely dry so they won’t mildew or become moldy during the drying process. Some people also like to use dried cilantro to make cilantro chutney, and this can be used in sandwiches, on crackers, or as a dip for vegetables.