How to Dehydrate Cilantro: An Easy and Healthy Way to Preserve Herbs

Cilantro is a herb that has many uses and can be eaten raw or cooked. It has a strong flavor and is often used in Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese, and Indian dishes. But how do you preserve cilantro? One way to store it for future use is by drying the leaves. This post will walk you through how to dehydrate cilantro!

What We Need

  • Fresh cilantro
  • Airtight container
  • A favorite dehydrator

How to Dehydrate Cilantro in a Food Dehydrator

  1. First, you will need to wash your cilantro to remove any dirt or other particles that may be stuck on the leaves.
  2. After washing, dry your fresh herbs with a salad spinner and make sure to remove as much water as possible, then add onto paper towels.
  3. Once the excess water has been removed, you can add the cilantro leaves on the dehydrator trays at 95 degrees Fahrenheit for about 4-12 hours or until completely dried out. Make sure to keep them in a single layer, so they dry evenly.
  4. You have to make sure to keep an eye on your herbs every two hours or so. You will know that it is done when the leaves feel brittle and snap easily between your fingers. Also, note that drying time can vary depending on how thick your cilantro leaves are and how moist they were when you started the drying process.
  5. After the herbs have finished drying in the dehydrator, store them in an airtight container to ensure freshness. Place them somewhere in a cool and dark place away from direct sunlight, like a cupboard or pantry.

How Do I Know If The Cilantro Is Dried?

One thing is how the cilantro looks when it is dried. Cilantro will have a lighter color and look more like straw in appearance. It may also be crumbly to touch, but do not worry if your herbs are still a little bit green or moist-looking- they need a little longer in the dehydrator!

The herbs are dehydrated when the leaves crumble, and the stems break when you bend them.

What Can You Make With Dried Cilantro

Cilantro is a handy herb that can be used in many different foods. Here is a bit of example of how you can use dried cilantro:

  • Dried Cilantro Can Be Used as Seasoning for Tacos, Tortilla Soup.
  • Homemade Seasoning Blends Containing Dried Cilantro
  • Beans, soups, or marinades.
  • Spicy Black Bean Soup with Dried Cilantro, Sour Cream & Green Onion
  • Cilantro pesto
  • Broiled tofu with cilantro-ginger sauce
  • Chunky Gazpacho
  • And more!

More Ways to Dehydrate Cilantro

You can dehydrate cilantro in the oven, microwave, air fryer, or hanging in the mesh drying rack. The way you choose to dry herbs will depend on how much cilantro you need to dehydrate. If it is a small amount, the oven may be too big of an investment, and using your microwave or air fryer might make more sense. However, if cooking for a larger group, then using the oven makes perfect sense, as well as having extra-large mesh drying racks.

Using a dehydrator is my favorite method because it is easy, fast, and efficient.

Conclusion:

Have you tried dehydrating cilantro? It’s a great way to preserve the herb, and it tastes just as good. Plus, if you’re planning on making a variety of dishes that call for fresh chopped cilantro, this is an easy way to have some prepared in advance! Just chop your desired amount, spread them evenly across the trays and wait for the herbs to dry.

At Dehydrated Foodz, you’ll find more posts about food dehydrator tips and best buys. Please stop by often for new content on these topics!

More Herbs to Dehydrate

author avatar
Danny
Hey there, since 2016, my mission has been to provide you with the information and guides you need to make food dehydrating simple and fun. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned pro, my site offers helpful guides, reviews, and recipes to enhance your dehydrating experience. I take pride in only recommending products I believe in, ensuring my readers' trust. As an affiliate of various programs, including Amazon Associates, your support helps me continue providing quality content. Thanks for stopping by, and happy dehydrating!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *