30 Cilantro-Heavy Recipes to Use Up That Extra Bunch

Cilantro is popular across the globe, so if you have some leftover, put it to work

By | Published Jul 24, 2018 7:00 PM

30 Cilantro-Heavy Recipes to Use Up That Extra Bunch

If you love cilantro’s bright and pungent flavor, there are lots of great ways to cook with it, from spicy dishes to cooling condiments. It can shine as the center of a simple salad along with olives, avocado, and limes, and it’s great sprinkled on top of a sardine and lemongrass salad. And many great sauces feature cilantro as one of the ingredients. From spicy chutneys to a perfect chimichurri, there are lots of delicious ways to incorporate cilantro into your diet. Check out our 30 favorite cilantro recipes below.

Cilantro Salad with Olives, Avocado, and Limes

Use this crisp, bright salad as a side dish or as a stand-in for chimichurri on top of fish, grilled meat, or chicken.”No matter where you fall on the cilantro spectrum,” says Bishara, “I urge you to try it.” Get the recipe for Cilantro Salad with Olives, Avocado, and Limes »

Bacon Fried Rice

Bacon Fried Rice

Spicy Mint, Cilantro, and Chia Seed Chutney

The addition of chia seeds in this chutney thickens the juices and emulsifies the mixture into a spreadable, smooth sauce that doesn’t separate. If you prefer it milder, remove some of the chile seeds before blending. Use the chutney as a condiment for pakoras, samosas, and tandoori roasted meats. Get the recipe for Spicy Mint, Cilantro, and Chia Seed Chutney »

Classic Guacamole

Grind your cilantro, onion, and chiles into a paste before folding in mashed avocado for the deepest flavor. Get the recipe for Classic Guacamole »

Mussels with Coconut Sweet Chili Broth

Get the recipe for Mussels with Coconut Sweet Chili Broth »

Mexican Scrambled Eggs

This quick breakfast dish is made a la Mexicana with red tomatoes, white onions, and green jalapeños, ingredients that mirror the colors of the Mexican flag. Get the recipe for Mexican Scrambled Eggs »

Avocado Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes go green with avocado and cilantro in this bright recipe. Get the recipe for Avocado Mashed Potatoes »

Rib-Eye Steak with Chimichurri

Rib-Eye Steak with Chimichurri

Coconut-Cilantro Chutney (Hara Dhaniya Ki Chutney)

This Indian chutney uses an array of ingredients, blending yellow split peas with coconut, cilantro, ginger, and chile.

Maitake Mushrooms with Red Chiles and Cilantro

Get the recipe for Maitake Mushrooms with Red Chiles and Cilantro »

Mango with Cilantro, Coconut, and Chile Powder

Mango with Cilantro, Coconut, and Chile Powder

Sardine and Lemongrass Salad

Sardine and Lemongrass Salad

Green Chili Grits

Summer Polenta with Chimichurri and Tomatoes

Chimichurri and a tomato-onion salad are perfect for offsetting the richness of creamy polenta. Get the recipe for Summer Polenta with Chimichurri and Tomatoes »

Bread and Garlic Soup with Cilantro

The recipe for this garlicky bread soup comes from Rosa Filipe of O Barro restaurant in Redondo, Portugal, who claims it is nicknamed “beggar’s soup” because it contains no meat or fish. Get the recipe for Bread and Garlic Soup with Cilantro »

Leek and Herb Frittata (Kuku Sabzi)

This herb-laced frittata of eggs, potatoes, and leeks is a popular Iranian side dish.

Cilantro Mojo

Bright, earthy and spicy, this garlicky cilantro sauce hits all the right notes for a summer-time cook-out.

Sprouted Chickpea Socca with Herb Salad and Yogurt

Sprouted Chickpea Socca with Herb Salad and Yogurt

Steamed Banana-Wrapped Fish (Patra ni Muchchi)

Descended from Persian Zoroastrians—followers of the prophet Zoroaster who began emigrating to India around the eighth century—Parsis in India have their own distinct food. This Parsi fish dish, commonly featured at weddings, is adapted from a recipe in Raghavan Iyer’s 660 Curries (Workman, 2008). White-fleshed fish is bathed in a spiced coconut-tamarind sauce and steamed until tender in fragrant banana leaves.

Cilantro Yogurt Chutney

This creamy yogurt-based chutney is made with cilantro, lime, and fresh green chiles. Get the recipe for Cilantro Yogurt Chutney »

Grape Salsa

Juicy red grapes are the star of a sweet and lightly spicy fresh salsa made with cherry tomatoes, cilantro, and honey.

Moroccan Charmoula

Vibrant, verdant, and refreshing, this Moroccan condiment is an exceptional marinade for most meat and seafood and addictive enough to eat with a spoon. Get the recipe for Moroccan Charmoula »

Grapefruit and Seafood Ceviche

Grapefruit juice, fiery jalapeño, and fragrant ginger transform shrimp, scallops, and calamari into an aromatic, spicy salad. Get the recipe »

Spinach and Walnut Salad (Pkhali)

Almost any vegetable can be substituted for spinach in this vegetarian appetizer sprinkled with pomegranate seeds. In Georgia, roasted beet and green bean versions are common.

Mole Verde Zacatecano

Lighter and simpler than the nut-enriched moles of Puebla and Oaxaca, this Zacatecan version is made with fresh tomatillos, cilantro, jalapeños, and garlic.

Persian Herbed Frittatas with Fenugreek (Kookoo Sabzi)

Persian Herbed Frittatas with Fenugreek (Kookoo Sabzi)

Avocado Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes go green with avocado and cilantro in this bright recipe. Get the recipe for Avocado Mashed Potatoes »

Grilled Lobster with Cilantro-Chile Butter

Chiles, lime, and cilantro flavor these grilled lobsters. Get the recipe for Grilled Lobster with Cilantro-Chile Butter »

Beef Stew with Mashed Plantains (Sukuma Wiki with Matoke)

Beef Stew with Mashed Plantains (Sukuma Wiki with Matoke)

Watermelon Salad with Cilantro, Radish Sprouts, and Cotija

In this refreshing salad, watermelon at the peak of its sweetness is tossed in a zesty vinaigrette with spicy radish sprouts. Get the recipe for Watermelon Salad with Cilantro, Radish Sprouts, and Cotija »

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