How to Cut Cilantro

Wondering how to cut cilantro? Here’s a step by step guide and video that shows you the best way for cutting cilantro (and our favorite herb saver, too).

Video: How to cut cilantro

Are you wondering how to cut cilantro? What’s the best way to remove the leaves and chop them up for garnishes? Alex and I use cilantro all the time, and use this method for cutting cilantro that is slick and simple. We use this method all the time, like when we garnish recipes like our Mexican sweet potatoes or crispy cauliflower tacos. Also, have you ever had issues with cilantro going bad in the plastic bag from the grocery store? We share our favorite herb keeper, too. Here’s our step by step guide for how to cut cilantro, including a video of me cutting cilantro in our kitchen.

Related: 20 Knife Skills Videos: How to Cut Everything!

How to cut cilantro step by step

Before we start, make sure to store your cilantro in an herb keeper for maximum freshness. Storing cilantro this way keeps it fresh for a week or more! Here’s our best herb keeper.

Step 1

Hold the root ends of the cilantro with your non-cutting hand. Use a large chef’s knife to scrape off the leaves in a downward motion.

Step 2

Use your fingers to remove any large stems from the cilantro leaves; small tender stems are okay.

Step 3

Holding the top of the blade with your non-cutting hand, rock the blade back and forth to chop the cilantro. Pull the leaves back into a pile and go over them with the knife several times until the pieces are the size that you’re looking for.

And there you have it: how to cut cilantro in 3 easy steps!

Let us know if you try our method for how to cut cilantro, and tell us how it goes in the comments below.

Best herb keeper

Have you ever had cilantro go bad in what seems like hours if you store it in the plastic bag from the grocery store? Storing cilantro upright in water in an herb keeper can keep it fresh and happy for a week or more. Here’s our favorite herb keeper for storing cilantro, similar to the one shown in the video:

• Fresh Herb Keeper for storing cilantro

Best chef knife & cutting boards

Alex and I are often asked about the best kitchen tools. And every time we answer, “A good sharp chef’s knife!” A good knife can drastically improve your time in the kitchen, and lasts for years (we’ve had our chef knives for 10 plus years). Here are some of the knives we recommend, as well as cutting boards and the best knife sharpener. These recommendations are perfect for outfitting your own kitchen, or great gifts for a wedding registry or someone who loves to cook!

Video: Knife Skills, Gear, & How to Hold a Knife!

• 7″ Chef’s Knife — our best knife recommendation
• 10″ Chef’s Knife — our favorite large knife
• 8″ Chef’s Knife — our favorite affordable knife
• Paring Knife
• Serrated Knife / Bread Knife
• Non-Slip Wood Cutting Board (used in the video!) or Non-Slip Bamboo Cutting Board
• Non-Slip Plastic Cutting Board
• Knife Sharpener
• Drawer Knife Organizer — this is how we store our knives, and it’s even slicker than a knife block

Looking for cilantro recipes?

Now that you know how to cut cilantro, here are some of our favorite cilantro recipes for you to try:

• Recipes with blended cilantro (doesn’t require chopping):
  • Creamy Cilantro Sauce
  • Very Verde Cilantro Dip
  • Greek Nachos with Cilantro Sauce
  • Carrot & Chickpea Tacos with Cilantro Yogurt
  • Mango & Shrimp Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
• Recipes with chopped cilantro:
  • Pico de Gallo Recipe with Black Beans
  • The BEST Vegan Nachos
  • Mexican Sweet Potatoes
  • Sweet Potatoes with Thai Peanut Butter Sauce
  • Crispy Cauliflower Tacos with Yum Yum Sauce
  • Loaded Grilled Nachos
  • Tropical Mango Quinoa Bowl
  • Best Mexican Pizza
  • Thai Curry Pizza with Naan Bread
  • White Bean Shakshuka with Feta
  • 54 Lime and Cilantro Recipes to Prove the Existence of Soulmates

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