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You are here: Home / Other / The Best Coriander {Cilantro} Recipes

The Best Coriander {Cilantro} Recipes

Published on April 23, 2017 by Helen Best-Shaw 23 Comments
Last Updated on June 5, 2021

Whether you call it coriander or cilantro; do you love those herby citrussy flavours? I do! If you’re a fan like me, there’s so much you can do with it: here are fifty recipes featuring this endlessly adaptable and totally delicious herb.

An overhead shot of a bunch of coriander or cilantro on a distressed grey background

Coriander  / Cilantro an overview

I’m talking here about the leafy herb, not coriander seeds. Commonly found in Asian cooking (it’s place of origin); it’s normally described as having a tart lemon/lime taste. In the UK, it’s called coriander, but in the US most people would call it cilantro two words for the same thing.

Why the two names? This is normally ascribed to the strong Hispanic influences in the US, as that’s what it’s called in Spain, and from there migrated to Mexico and northwards to the US.

Just to confuse matters, some in the US call the seeds coriander. It’ll normally be clear what a recipe is referring to by context and amounts used, though.

Coriander or Cilantro?

Here in the UK we call the green leafy herb coriander, and in the US it’s cilantro.

The seeds are called coriander seeds in the UK and just coriander in the US

Why do some people hate cilantro / coriander?

Because, to them it tastes of soap. Really!

It’s genetic something between 4 and 14 percent of the population have a gene that means they smell, and therefore taste, the chemicals in coriander that are the same as the ones in soap.

How do I store cilantro / coriander?

Cut coriander is notorious for wilting within a second of taking it out of its packet.

Open the packet at the last moment, use what you need and then stand the stalks up in a glass of water in the fridge.

Can I freeze coriander?

Yes! Coriander will keep all its flavour once frozen, but will be pretty mushy once defrosted, so is best used when appearance doesn’t matter.

Freeze in a sealed bag or box and snip off you need from frozen.

Why do my pots of coriander from the supermarket wilt?

Usually because they need a good watering! Fill the kitchen sink to 2″ deep with water and stand the pot in it.

Also thin the plants out each pot usually contains many small seedlings that have been forced to grow fast. If you have larger pots and some compost you can also repot it.

Dressings, dips and sauce recipes using coriander / cilantro

Jazz up your dressings, dips and sauces with one of these recipes using coriander. Don’t restrict the dressings to salads not that they’re not a great change from yet another vinaigrette but try them on grilled meat or stirred into pasta rather than pesto. Vibrant colours and bursting with flavour, a coriander based dressing, dip or sauce both looks appetizing and tastes great!

Healthy Vegan Green Goddess Dressing_

Green Goddess Dressing ideal for all those half packets of herbs, including coriander

Mojo verde a Canarian Green Sauce made of coriander, garlic, olive oil and cumin

Sriracha Ranch Dressing a creamy but vegan fresh herby dressing

Coriander Mint Chutney coriander and mint combine with some chilli to make the perfect accompanied to Indian food

Coconut Coriander Chutney in this south Indian recipe coriander is paired with coconut

5-ingredient authentic Mexican salsa simple, but delicious and packed with coriander

Avocado, lime & coriander dressing  this is basically guacamole in pourable form!

Mojo Sauce a zesty, spicy, herby garlic sauce

Green salsa with fresh tomatillos fresher than fresh and ready in 5 minutes

Red Lentil, Lime & Coriander Hummus a great variation on the chickpea and tahini favourite

Easy soup recipes using coriander (cilantro)

Making soup from scratch might take a few more minutes than popping open a can, but the results are so worth it. From the old carrot and coriander favourte to something more exotic like Portuguese bread and garlic with coriander and fresh shrimp, there’s a delicious coriander-flavoured soup here for every level of complication you could want.

Carrot and coriander soup surely the classic soup with coriander?

Pho Ga Vietnamese Chicken Soup classic pho sweet, sour and savoury (image above)

Peruvian Chicken and Cilantro Soup chicken soup with a south American twist

Coriander and Tofu Soup simple and refreshing

Chicken Tortilla Soup the perfect nourishing comfort food

Coriander and sweetcorn soup fresh and summery with lime and spices

Portuguese Bread and Garlic Soup with Coriander and Fresh Shrimp the perfect flavour packed summer soup

Salad recipes using cilantro (coriander)

Three salad recipes that let you enjoy fresh coriander. Hearty grain, pulse or corn based salads that can be a whole meal in their own right.

A shallow bowl of no-mayo slaw from red and white cabbage, grated carrot, and coriander leaves, in close-up.

No mayo slaw crunchy vegetables and coriander.

Mexican Street Corn Salad a vegan version of this classic

Chickpea salad with coriander dressing keep a batch in the fridge!

Best Ever Low-Carb Thai Beef Salad  combine beef with coriander, mint and basil for a herb explosion

Easy vegetarian main meals using cilantro

Here are some great meals that are not just for vegetarians, but are suitable for all. Enjoy them on a meat-free Monday (or on any other day of the week, frankly. How about discovering the delights of a meat reducing diet!); fresh tasting coriander really lifts these dishes.

Sweet potato tacos with avocado salsa so easy and adaptable (image above)

Kothimbir Vadi coriander croquettes, Indian street food style

Coriander falafels oil free, oven baked and vegan

Soba noodles with coriander the perfect simple veggie bowl recipe (image above)

Carrot, coriander and chickpea burgers everyone needs a good veggie burger!

Bean and pumpkin curry super quick and easy

Easy chicken and meat dishes using cilantro /coriander?

While I do follow a meat-reducing diet, so I’m not vegetarian so these recipes are most welcome. Here are a whole range of recipes for chicken and meat with influences from around the world.

Steak with avocado dressing one to serve at the summer BBQ (image above)

Beef Mini Roast with a Chutney and Coriander Glaze a mini roast is perfect for two, and quick to cook

Hariyali Chicken Tikka chicken kebabs in a coriander sauce

Pork tacos with a coriander dressing served in home made coconut tortilla

Beef Koftas with Sag Aloo make your own Indian favourite

BBQ chicken, bacon and coriander pizza ideal for using up bits and bobs

Chicken thighs and potatoes with coriander a fantastic one pot dish

Easy fish and seafood dishes using cilantro /coriander

And now fish and seafood recipes, from BBQ-perfect shrimp to a more sophisticated tuna cakes suitable for dinner.

Fish tacos in a 7 Up batter!

Cilantro Lime Grilled Shrimp with Pineapple Salsa  fresh, lime-y and zesty. Perfect for a BBQ!

Thai Mussels a South East Asian twist on the French classic, pictured above

Thai Baked Salmon with Cilantro-Chili Sauce -contrast rich salmon flavours with a touch of chili heat

Tuna Cakes with Jalapeño And Cilantro spice up tuna with hot jalapeno peppers

Easy grains and rice based dishes using cilantro /coriander

Finally, some more rice and other grain based recipes that feature coriander.

Jalapeño, coriander and lime rice classic flavours in this rice dish

Southwest Quinoa Salad with Green Chile Avocado Dressing superfood quinoa salad with a coriander dressing

Cauliflower rice bowl with coriander low carb and quick and easy

Cilantro Lime Rice and Black Beans perfect for filling tacos

Quinoa Bowls with Winter Squash, Spinach and Cilantro-Lime Dressing  pictured above

Other Recipes Using Coriander/Cilantro

A highball glass full of fizzy gin and tonic, garnished with a charred slice of lime and a sprig of coriander, against a black background. Out of focus at the rear is another full highball glass, similarly garnished.

Charred Lime Gin & Tonic with Fresh Cilantro  a tasty riff on the much loved mixed drink.

Cucumber Cilantro Yogurt Smoothie  start the day with coriander in your green smoothie

Fresh Peas & Mint Cilantro Vinaigrette a side dish with peas and coriander

Fresh Pineapple with Citrus Herb Glaze finally, a coriander based garnish to an extra flavours to fresh pineapple.

This post is dedicated to the memory of fellow blogger Isabella, her blog Coriander Queen named after her love of coriander, who died of cancer in 2017.    I’d know she had been ill for sometime, and she had posted about her progress to her blogging friends on Facebook, we were thrilled when she had had good news, and married the love of her life.   Then there was the silence, the tailing off of blog posts, of twitter and Instagram.   Then the dreadful news that the cancer had come back and she had lost her fight.

I remember Isabella by her optimism, her kindness and lovely cheerful profile photo with her beautiful smile looking warm and cosy in a woolly hat and fluffy scarf.

I hope you approve of this collection of coriander recipes in your memory Isabella.

Coriander (cilantro) is one of my favourite herbs - endlessly adaptable and to my mind totally delicious.  Here are some of the best recipes starring it.

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Filed Under: Other Ingredients: Herbs

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  1. Margot

    What a lovely tribute to Isabella! She would definitely like this collection of best coriander recipes.

    Reply
  2. kavey

    Lovely collection of coriander, a fitting tribute.

    Reply
  3. Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche

    I’m sure Izzie would love this collection of coriander recipes! A great way to remember our Coriander Queen.

    Reply
  4. Nayna Kanabar

    What an excellent selection of recipes with coriander in them. A lovely tribute to Isabella.

    Reply
  5. Nicky

    What a fantastic way to pay tribute to Izzie! I adore coriander too, so I’ll be going to check out all of these recipes.

    Reply
  6. Lucy

    A lovely roundup Helen of the best ingredient in Isabella’s memory

    Reply
  7. Janice

    This is an incredible resource, Helen and such a fitting tribute to the Coriander Queen.

    Reply
  8. Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes

    A lovely round up Helen and a great idea to share these coriander recipes since you and Izzie love it so much. A wonderful tribute.

    Reply
  9. Camilla

    Izzie would have loved all these recipes I’m sure. A lovely tribute Helen.

    Reply
  10. Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs

    This has to be the perfect way to remember the coriander queen herself! Well done Helen xxx

    Reply
  11. Angela

    Such a great round-up and a lovely way to remember Isabella.

    Reply
  12. Choclette

    What a lovely way to remember Izzie and a whole bunch of recipes she’d have thoroughly enjoyed. I love coriander too, but it’s so hard to grow, I generally end up using parsley instead.

    Reply
  13. Tamara Andersen

    Lovely Helen! I had no idea Isabella was fighting cancer. I am fighting back tears as I read… I have featured her recipes a couple of times in my roundup posts, and her recipes and blog were beautiful. I feel honored to have a recipe included in this tribute to the Coriander Queen.

    Reply
  14. Hina

    Thank you for including my Coconut Coriander Chutney in the round-up.

    Reply
  15. Ceri Jones

    It’s one of my favourite herbs too. I love adding it to everything. A great way to remember Isabella, but sharing lots of recipes I am sure she would have loved :)

    Reply
  16. Jane

    A lovely tribute Helen <3

    Reply
  17. Lisa

    Fantastic collection. I was just thinking I need to find some new recipes for my cilantro plant. Perfect timing!

    Reply
    • Helen

      I love coriander – my favourite herb

      Reply
  18. Ioana

    I love everything with cilantro on, but I never thought there are so many recipes. I will definitely try some of the salad dressings. Thanks for this amazing post

    Reply
    • Helen

      We love coriander here!

      Reply
  19. Mandy

    What a wonderful post in tribute to your friend. Coriander is certainly loved in my kitchen, and I love all these ideas. We almost always have it growing in our herb garden.

    Reply
  20. Lyndell

    We call it coriander in Australia too. Such a delicious herb, ideal for Asian cooking. I have an Aunt who grills pineapple, and adds coriander at the end. Tastes really good. Lovely post, Helen.

    Reply
  21. meng

    Lovely collection of coriander recipes, a fitting tribute.

    Reply

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Headshot of Helen Best-Shaw, Food Blogger at Fuss Free Flavours I'm Helen, full time freelance food writer, photographer and blogger. On this site you will find my fuss-free recipes, travel and reviews. Learn more here
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