Drying cilantro isn’t a good idea for this delicate citrusy herb loses most of its flavor after drying.
Cilantro is a biennial plant which means it grows leaves in the first season, and then it flowers and dies in the second. Thus it might become necessary for you to dry the excess harvest of cilantro for future uses.
For cilantro lovers, dried or frozen leaves of this herb become handy when fresh leaves aren’t available.
How To Dry Cilantro?
Drying is the easiest method to store cilantro for a considerably long period; up to 3 years. In fact, drying an herb like cilantro is not at all a difficult thing. The only concern is that you have to wisely choose and follow the right method of drying herbs.
Begin prepping the fresh cilantro by washing it in small bunches with a colander. After washing, remove the water from the leaves by using a salad spinner or by patting them dry with a paper towel.
You can either dry the leaves alone or dry the leaves along with the stems.
Always use freshly harvested herbs for drying. Do not dry refrigerated cilantro; also avoid refrigerating the dried cilantro.
Here are the four methods to dry cilantro:
Method 1: Air Drying Cilantro
Air drying is a traditional cost-effective method of drying any herb like cilantro, parsley, and others.
Before air drying, thoroughly wash and clean the sprigs of leaves in running water and pat dry them with a paper towel. Tie up 5-each sprigs of cilantro leaves with twine or string. Hang the tied bunches of cilantro upside down on a line in a well-ventilated dry place and away from direct sunshine.
Enclose the hanging bunches of leaves in a loose paper bag to protect the leaves. It helps to catch the leaves that fall off while drying and to prevent the formation of mold on leaves.
In the air-drying method, about two to four weeks is required for properly drying cilantro.
Related article: Can you freeze cilantro?
Method 2: Dehydrating Cilantro
A food dehydrator is specifically useful for drying herbs and vegetables. In fact, the finest quality dried herbs can be made by using dehydrators rather than other methods.
After cleaning and drying the cilantro leaves, place them in the trays of the dehydrator. Without piling up the leaves, keep them in a single layer. The warm air circulating in the dehydrator removes the water content from the leaves.
Make sure to keep the temperature settings of the dehydrator below 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Usually, it takes 1 to 2 hours for the cilantro to be perfectly dried in the dehydrator. After one hour check the dryness of the leaves and then test the dryness after every 30 minutes till the leaves are sufficiently dried.
Method 3: Cilantro Drying In An Oven
Oven drying is an efficient and quick method to dry herbs and spices, preserving their flavors by gently baking them at a low temperature until they are thoroughly dehydrated.
Before using the oven, properly wash and clean the leaves and pat dry them with a paper towel. Place the leaves on a cookie sheet or baking tray that you have lined with parchment paper. Don’t pile up the leaves but place them in a single layer.
Preheat the oven to the lowest temperature setting; usually, it varies in different ovens between 170 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. After preheating the oven for three minutes, place the cookie sheet or baking tray with cilantro in the oven. Even at the lowest temperature oven might become too hot to the extent of burning the delicate leaves of cilantro. In such a scenario, leave the oven door open to reduce heat via air circulation and let out the evaporated moisture from the leaves. Normally, it takes not more than 30 minutes to sufficiently dry out the leaves in the oven.
Method 4: Microwaving Cilantro
Using a microwave is the fastest way to make dried cilantro within a few minutes. Obviously, its quality is not going to be anywhere near the air-tried herb.
After cleansing the cilantro, place it on a paper towel and cover it up with another paper towel. Now, allow the microwave to run high for two minutes, after that place the cilantro in the microwave. After two minutes open the door to let the moist air out and allow the machine to cool down for a minute. Check the dryness of the leaves, if not sufficiently dried continue microwaving in 30-second bursts and repeat the burst till the leaves are sufficiently dry and brittle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to preserve or store dried cilantro?
After drying the cilantro, store it in a sealed, airtight jar, preferably a glass container, until you want to use it. For preservation, you can store the dried bunch as a whole or crumble the dried leaves into the container. The dried cilantro can stay intact for up to 3 years.
Is it better to freeze or dry cilantro?
Freezing is a better option to preserve the flavors of cilantro than drying. The unique flavor of cilantro stays fresh for a few months in frozen condition. However, drying cilantro gives it a longer shelf life but it robs the herbs of its signature flavor.
Is dried cilantro any good?
Cilantro is a biennial plant and it can be difficult to get fresh cilantro in the winter months. Dried cilantro can be used as a mediocre substitute for fresh cilantro but it lacks the strong flavor features of fresh cilantro. Dried cilantro is a good choice for people who dislike the strong flavors of fresh.
Is dried cilantro and coriander the same thing?
No. In most places, coriander refers to cilantro seeds, aka coriander seeds. In English, cilantro is called coriander leaves. Cilantro is the Spanish word for coriander leaves. The name “coriander” in English refers to the entire cilantro plant, including leaves, flowers, seeds, stems, and roots.
Do you have to cook dried cilantro?
Generally, all dried herbs are best rehydrated and added to the dish about 20 minutes before the end of cooking. Dried cilantro has a mild flavor and delicate texture, therefore it’s better to use it towards the end of cooking. Try mixing dried cilantro with 1 tsp oil and leaving it for 10 minutes before using it in sauces, marinades, or dressings.
Final Thoughts
Cilantro can be dried using three methods: air-drying, oven-drying, and dehydrating.
Air-drying takes about a week and involves hanging the cilantro upside down in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area. Oven-drying is quicker, requiring about 30 minutes at 200 degrees Fahrenheit on a baking sheet. Dehydrating is the fastest, taking 2-4 hours at 115 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dried cilantro can be stored for up to a year and is used by crumbling into dishes.
Read more on herbs:
- Different uses of dried and fresh herbs
- Can you substitute dried cilantro for fresh?
- What Is Bouquet Garni?