29 Fresh Cilantro Recipes That Prove It’s More Than a Garnish
Verdant, lacy leaves of fresh cilantro make it a favorite finishing for tacos, dips like hummus, and stir-fries. But if we’re going to give you a list of cilantro recipes—and that’s what we’re here to do—this divisive herb is going to feature more heavily in a dish’s flavor profile. It might even take center stage. Because if you love cilantro (coriander, for those visiting from the UK or Australia), then you really love cilantro.
Still here? Good, then you’re one of us. You’ve likely already got a bunch of cilantro stored in your fridge or growing in your garden. Fold those cilantro leaves into salads, slaws, soups, or marinades; try them in a cocktail or homemade condiment; or make any one of our favorite cilantro recipes. They will only increase your love of the stuff.
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food styling by Mira Evnine1/29Fresh Spring Rolls
Once you’ve gotten the hang of making this popular Vietnamese snack, feel free to play around with fillings. The versatile umami dipping sauce pairs well with pretty much anything.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton2/29Chicken Meatballs With Molokhieh, Garlic, and Cilantro
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich4/29Easy Green Cocktail Sauce
Have you ever seen green shrimp cocktail sauce? Well, now you have. We think you should taste it, too—and we promise it only takes five minutes.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich8/29Yum Khai Dao (Fried Egg Salad)
This egg salad recipe is not the mayonnaise-mixed version many people imagine. Yum Khai Dao is a Thai salad made with fried eggs, a punchy dressing, and bright vegetables and herbs.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Stevie Stewart9/29Black Bean Picadillo Skillet
If you’ve got some tortillas, a cast-iron skillet, a can of black beans, and a stocked pantry, then you’re halfway to making this comforting vegetarian picadillo.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Kate Schmidt10/29Chipotle-Style Cilantro-Lime Rice
11/29Kookoo Sabzi
The Persian frittata-esque dish kookoo sabzi tends to have fewer eggs than the American-style omelet. What makes up for it? Lots and lots (and lots) of herbs.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Tiffany Schleigh12/29Grilled Peruvian Chicken With Green Sauce
We’d be nervous to put your best roasted chicken recipe up against this one if we were you. Sure, it’s grilled chicken breast, but thanks to its encasement in a brick-red cumin and paprika paste, the meat stays so juicy it will rival most other preparations.
Photo by Kyla Zanardi.13/29Seared Falafel Burgers
These veggie burgers have a crispy, golden exterior that gives way to a bright green center. And yes, those are natural dyes, y’all—thanks to edamame, peas, and fresh herbs.
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food styling by Micah Marie Morton15/29Tater Tot Chaat
Both a tamarind chutney and a cilantro and jalapeño-packed green chutney decorate this fun and unexpected take on chaat. Well, chaat is always fun, but this one involves tater tots.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton16/29Fava Bean Aguachile
In this creamy and herbaceous aguachile, you’ll find tender fava beans and avocado. We recommend putting extra sliced radishes and cilantro on the table so your people can add as much crunch as they’d like.
Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Liberty Fennell18/29Creamy, Crunchy Cilantro Lime Slaw
Thinly-sliced green cabbage is the crisp base for this slaw, which lives up to its name: Both creamy and crunchy, it’s the ultimate barbecue side dish.
Photo by Gabriela Herman21/29Harira
This spiced Moroccan soup recipe is packed with chickpeas and vegetables. Like many soups, it’s flexible, which means you can swap out lentils and grains based on what you’ve got in the cupboard.
Photograph by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr., Food Styling by Michelle Gatton, Prop Styling by Emma Ringness22/29Cilantro Pesto Pasta
This Mexican twist on a classic basil pesto relies on one whole bunch of cilantro, stems and all, as well as cotija cheese, fresh lime juice, and pepitas. The spaghetti part? That can stay Italian.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich23/29Marinated Cucumbers With Curled Scallion Salad
Cilantro, scallions (curly ones!), and Fresno chiles are key players in this crunchy smashed cucumber salad. Imagine serving it alongside roast pork belly and steamed white rice. (Mmmm, now we’re imagining it…)
Photo by Ed Anderson24/29Cucumber Cilantro Margarita
She’s not a super classic margarita—the riff involves fresh cilantro and cucumber—but she sure hits like one. The cocktail is salty, boozy (go with a blanco tequila), and cooling.
Photo by Alex Lau25/29The Greenest Coconut Curry With Clams and Rice Noodles
Demure, she’s not. You’ll need to buy three whole cups of both basil and cilantro leaves to make the herb purée for this clam broth. That said, it will be one of the most herbaceous (and delicious) seafood dinners you’ve ever had.
Photo by Angelica Marie Valiton26/29Coconut Shrimp Tacos With Mango Salsa and Avocado Cilantro Sauce
Neither this mango and red onion salsa nor this avocado sauce would sing the way they do in these tacos without dear cilantro. Make a double batch of each to snack on with tortilla chips later this week.
Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott27/29Pico de Gallo Verde
Cilantro and mint make wonderful partners in this salsa. And speaking of pairing, serve this pico alongside a classic guacamole and you’ve got yet another dynamic duo.
Photo by Chelsie Craig29/29Pan-Fried Sardines With Salsa Verde
This cilantro recipe can save the day if you let it. While the blend of fresh herbs, lemon juice, capers, and olive oil works well with sardines, any leftover sauce will enliven your morning eggs.
