Here's exactly how to use all your leftover cilantro

Here's exactly how to use all your leftover cilantro

Anyone who's ever made guac has probably encountered this next-day conundrum: a whole bunch of extra cilantro and no idea what to do with it. While leftover avocados, tomatoes, onions, and garlic can certainly find a home in salads, side dishes, and dinners, guac's signature green herb sometimes finds itself in the trash.

But that's a shame when you consider that not only is cilantro full of flavor, but its green leaves are also packed with antioxidants, vitamins, essential oils, and fiber. So it's time to use up the whole bunch and add some flair to your dishes with leftover cilantro. Here's your guide to storing cilantro and the best ways to use leftover cilantro.

Store coriander

There are two methods of storing cilantro you can use if you find yourself staring at a huge pile of the green herb.

Wash, cut, freeze.After you've used up what you need, store the rest of the leftover cilantro in a small plastic bag in the freezer, says Keri Gans, RD, author of The Small Change Diet and Shape Advisory Board Member. You can take what you need at a time while keeping the herb fresh. Pro Tip: Use snack-sized bags and measure portion sizes beforehand to save time later.

Add some water."You can store fresh cilantro in the refrigerator, stems down, in a glass of water (changing the water every day or so), or wrap it carefully in a damp paper towel and store in a resealable bag in the refrigerator for up to seven days," says Toby Amidor, RD, nutrition expert and author of The Greek Yogurt Kitchen: More Than 130 Delicious, Healthy Recipes for every meal of the day.

How to use coriander

Ready to cook? With a tangy citrus flavor, cilantro is easy to incorporate into your daily meals. Here are the best ways to use cilantro.

In salsa.Whether you bought store-bought salsa or made it yourself, a little cilantro can add a lot of flavor to tomato or mango salsa, says Amidor.

At tacos.“Sprinkle cilantro as a garnish on tacos,” says Amidor. Or take it a step further and top your tacos with a garlicky, spicy cilantro chimichurri sauce.

In salads.Chop cilantro and mix with lettuce as a base for your next salad, suggests Amidor. Better yet, skip salad altogether for this cilantro-based tequila lime shrimp salad or a black bean, corn, and cilantro salad.

As a flavor.Unlike other herbs, cilantro stems are tender and aromatic, says Amidor. Use them in a salad or to flavor water for couscous (and then remove them before serving).

On the spit.Peppers and onions do not need to chop the skewer. Add chopped fresh cilantro for a whole new twist on a warm-weather favorite.

With smoothies.Spinach + lime + coriander = lots of healthy vegetables, with extra flavor to boot.

In dips and sauces.Does hummus or pesto sauce seem a little basic? A few sprinkles of coriander can help, says Gans. You can also try a creamy cilantro dipping sauce.

In the rice.Rice and beans is a classic, but for the meatless among us it can get boring. But chop and mix leftover cilantro into your rice, as Amidor suggests, and you'll be tasty in every bite.

As a seasoning for fish.Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro over grilled fish, says Amidor. This way you also seal in lots of ginger and citrus flavor!

In scrambled eggs.Scrambled eggs have a bad and boring reputation. Change that by mixing more than just the main protein!