How To Store Cilantro

We go through a lot of cilantro at our house.  Since Mexican is primarily our cuisine of choice, it's an herb I always have on hand.  Well try to have it on hand.  Until recently I could only keep if fresh for a couple of days.  Every time I would go to make something like my Cilantro Lime Rice or Cilantro Lime Chicken, I would remove my cilantro from the refrigerator only to find it limp, dried out, and/or brown.  Gross.  As much as I enjoy cooking, and as much as I try new recipes on a whim, I don't want to run to the store every time a recipe call for fresh cilantro.  I've tried a million ways to keep it fresh.  I've left it in the produce bag and shoved it in the vegetable bin.  X.  I've wrapped it in a damp paper towel.  X.  I've put the entire bunch in a glass of water in the fridge.  X.  I've put the entire bunch in a vase and left it out on the counter.  X.  I can't tell you how many bunches of cilantro I've tossed because they've gone bad.  Finally I found a way that works.  I have been able to keep bunches of cilantro fresh in my fridge for well over two weeks using this method.  I've also used it with curly and flat-leaf parsley with the same success.  If you enjoy using these herbs, then definitely give this a try.  It should save you some time, money and hassle!

Step 1:  As soon as you get home from the store,
trim the bottom of your bunch of cilantro.
Place it in a tall glass or vase and fill with cool water.

Step 2:  Use the produce bag, and cover the leaves.
Secure around the vase with a loose knot
or rubber band. 
Store in the refrigerator.

Whenever you remove the cilantro from the fridge
to use it, pour out the old water and replace
with fresh water.

It's as easy as that!