21 Flavorful Recipes If You Have Leftover Basil, Parsley, Or Cilantro (2024)

FAQs

What to do with left over parsley? ›

Treat it like any other leafy green and use it as a salad base — or mix it in with other lettuces to add a punch of flavor. You can also blitz it into a sauce, like chimichurri or pesto, stir it into a grain or bean salad, or throw it into a frittata.

ANSWER: Yes, you can freeze fresh basil leaves, but they just need a little help. Basil is a particularly delicate herb because it hates the cold and darkens when cut. Keep in mind any fresh herbs that you freeze will not be entirely the same as fresh. Freezing will change the texture and it won't be as stable.

Using a food processor or blender, combine clean cilantro with just enough water or olive oil to create a smooth mixture, then pour it into an ice cube tray. Once the cilantro cubes have frozen completely, you can transfer them to a plastic bag, where they'll last for four to six months.

Throwing out cilantro stems is not only wasteful but a major flavor mistake, as the stems are versatile enough to enhance almost any dish. One easy use for cilantro stems is to chop them up and add them to a salad for an extra bit of crunchy texture or add some to dips like hummus or salsa for extra flavor.

Many recipes call for only using cilantro leaves as they're soft enough to chop and chew. However, cilantro stems are just as edible and a perfect addition to recipes since they're full of flavor and nutrients. The stem portion of cilantro can also be used to make pesto, simple syrup for drinks and compound butter.

Does Parsley Need to Be Refrigerated? It isn't essential to survival, but it does help extend the life of the herb. Parsley will hang out on the counter about 1-2 weeks, but properly stored in the fridge, it can last a month or even longer.

Instead, basil is best kept on the counter at room temperature between 50 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, with 55 degrees Fahrenheit being the optimal storage temperature, notes Le. Stop storing basil in the refrigerator! Cooler temperatures causes cellular damage to the leaves, shortening the herb's shelf life.

You can preserve them in olive oil for up to three months in your fridge, enjoying the same freshly-picked flavor. This works particularly well with basil and parsley, but try it out with chives, thyme, and your other favorite herbs.

Can you freeze fresh cilantro for later use? ›

For even longer storage, try freezing fresh cilantro. Lay clean, dry stems out on a lined baking sheet and freeze. Transfer to a zip-top freezer bag, squeeze out the air, and store for up to a month.

Wash them, cut the bases, wrap them in a paper towel (it should be a little moist from the drying process, and stick 'em in a ziploc bag. My cilantro keeps for 3-4 weeks. Cilantro has a relatively short shelf life. I sometimes put a damp paper towel around the base of a bunch and hold it in place with a rubber band.

Store the cilantro in an airtight container.

A vacuum-sealed plastic bag or zip-top freezer bag makes an effective storage container for frozen cilantro. Keep your freezer temperature at zero degrees Fahrenheit for the best results. Store frozen cilantro for up to six months before defrosting and using it in a recipe.