What Is Coriander and How Can I Use It?

Wondering what to do with coriander? This guide covers how to pick it, cook it, store it, and swap it, plus 922 recipes to put it to work.

What is coriander?

Coriander is the fresh, bright green leaf of the Coriandrum sativum plant, the soft herb that finishes curries and noodle soups and salsa.

In the United States and Canada the leaf is called cilantro, while most of the rest of the world calls the whole plant coriander. Same plant, two names.

This page is about the leaf. The dried tan seed from the same plant is a warm, citrusy spice with a different flavor and use, and it lives on its own page under coriander seeds.

So if a recipe lists ground coriander or coriander seed, it means the spice, not these leaves.

Fresh coriander tastes citrusy and green with a little pepper. For a slice of people it reads as soapy, a real genetic quirk tied to how they smell certain aldehydes, so it is worth keeping separate on the plate when you cook for a crowd.

Cooking With Fresh Coriander

Treat coriander like a fresh garnish, not a cooking herb. The flavor lives in volatile oils that boil away in minutes, so you stir it in off the heat or pile it on at the table.

Chop the leaves and tender upper stems together. The thin stems carry as much flavor as the leaves, and there is no reason to pick them off one by one. Save the thick lower stems for a stock.

It shows up at the end of countless simmered dishes here. A fresh handful cuts the richness of Butternut, Chickpea & Lentil Curry or Frontier Chicken right before serving.

In a bowl of Hanoi Beef & Rice-Noodle Soup (Pho Bac), the leaves go in raw at the table, and the heat of the broth releases their perfume on the way to your spoon.

Pairing and Common Mistakes

Coriander has a natural home with lime, chili, garlic, cumin, coconut, and ginger. That is the backbone of guacamole, salsa, and a quick Lime Coriander Sour Cream Dip.

The most common mistake is cooking it. Long-simmered coriander turns drab and loses its whole reason for being, so hold it back and add it fresh.

The second is throwing out the stems. They are tender and full of flavor, and the right texture to mince straight in.

Then there is the soap problem. If someone at the table is in the soap-tasting camp, serve coriander on the side rather than mixing it through, so one diner does not turn the whole dish off-limits.

Substitutes

There is no exact swap, because coriander's flavor is its own. Flat-leaf parsley gives you the same green color and fresh bite without the citrus note, and it is the usual stand-in when soap-sensitive eaters are at the table.

For closer flavor, a mix of parsley with a little fresh mint or a squeeze of lime gets you nearer the brightness. Culantro, the long sawtooth leaf used across the Caribbean and Southeast Asia, tastes like a stronger coriander and works well in cooked dishes; use about half as much.

Do not reach for coriander seed or ground coriander as a substitute for the leaf. The spice is warm and earthy, the leaf is fresh and citrusy, and they are not interchangeable in either direction.

Buying and Storage

Buy bright, perky bunches with no yellow or slimy leaves. A strong fresh smell at the store is a good sign; a faint or musty one means it is past its prime.

Store it like a bouquet. Trim the stem ends, stand the bunch in a glass with an inch of water, drape a loose bag over the top, and refrigerate.

Refreshed every couple of days, it stays lively for one to two weeks, far longer than a sealed bag where it tends to slime within days. Wash and dry it only when you are about to use it, since wet leaves rot fast.

Coriander does not dry or freeze well as whole leaves; the texture and aroma collapse. If you want to preserve a glut, blitz the leaves with a little oil and freeze that in cubes for cooked dishes, and keep buying fresh for anything raw.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find coriander: Coriander is usually found in the spices section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Coriander is a member of the Spices and Herbs US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

香菜

British (UK) term

Coriander

en français

coriandre

en español

cilantro

How much does coriander weigh?

Related

Spices and Herbs

Recipes using coriander

There are 922 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Stuffed Rava/Sooji idli

Here's a delicious, quite filling idli recipe that can be enjoyed as a snack or the main dish. Learn how to make stuffed idli. So here's a colourful idli recipe that's packed with the goodness of vegetables.

Asian Salad Nicoise

This Nicoise Salad is a beautiful play off its French counterpart. It keeps the traditional string beans, potatoes, boiled eggs and tuna, but it adds an Asian inspired dressing that elevates this salad to the next level. By changing the usual white potatoes to sweet potatoes, it becomes a healthier version of the recipe. Sweet potatoes provide more vitamins and minerals than regular potatoes and they have fewer calories. Add in the Omega-3 benefits in the tuna, the protein of the eggs, and fibre-packed beans, and you have got a power packed lunch that tastes like a million dollars. This recipe will certainly be singing to your taste buds tuna.

Pressure Cooked Chili Con Chickpeas

Pressure-cooked chickpea chili swaps beef for nutty garbanzos, building heat from toasted cumin seeds, chili powder, and a generous handful of fresh cilantro. A meatless one-pot weeknight chili.

Moghul Style Mixed Vegetables with Paneer

Mughlai-style mixed vegetable curry with paneer, cream, pineapple, and golden raisins. A rich, mildly spiced North Indian dish that finishes with a sprinkle of fried nuts for royal-court flair.

Aloo Mathar Paratha (Sides)

The quintessential Indian-Singaporean meal accompaniment. Unfortunately, all too often it is made using highly processed white flour and margarine. Here, the parathas are made with whole-wheat flour (you could also try using spelt flour) and stuffed with peas and potatoes, for a lighter but more wholesome take on the original. Serve hot with yoghurt and herbs.

Malabar Chicken Curry Recipe

Malabar chicken curry is a spicy and aromatic dish that hails from the Malabar region of India. This curry is made with a unique blend of spices that include cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and fennel, which gives it a distinctive taste and aroma. The tender chicken pieces are simmered in a rich and flavorful coconut milk-based gravy, making it a perfect dish for any occasion. The curry can be adjusted to your preferred level of spiciness, making it versatile for all tastes. Whether you're looking to explore new flavors or simply want to add a bit of spice to your meals, Malabar chicken curry is a must-try recipe for any home cook.

Hummus Me Tahini

Authentic hummus me tahini: chickpeas pushed through a sieve and whipped with tahini, lemon, olive oil, and garlic. Traditional Greek-Mediterranean method.

Falafel, Vegetarian Style

Vegetarian falafel with a clever bake-then-fry hybrid technique: oven-baked first to set, pan-crisped in olive oil to finish. Tucked into pita with cucumber, tomato, and yogurt sauce.

Pumpkin or Squash Pie

Vegan pumpkin or squash pie with silken tofu, honey or maple, molasses, and a hint of coriander and almond extract. Egg-free and dairy-free, with custard-like texture from blended tofu.

Spiced Hummus

Spiced chickpea hummus blended with cumin, coriander, ginger, turmeric, and tahini. Food processor makes it silky smooth. Chill before serving with pita or vegetables.

No-Tahini Herb Hummus with Sautéed Onion & Garlic

Bright, herb-forward hummus with no tahini needed. Sautéed onion and garlic blend with fresh parsley, basil, oregano, and coriander into silky chickpeas for a lighter Middle Eastern dip that skips the paste but keeps all the flavor. Ready in 25 minutes.

Delicious Cream of Pumpkin Soup

Cream of pumpkin soup with coriander, curry powder, and a finishing drizzle of walnut oil. Smooth, golden, and ready in an hour using fresh or canned pumpkin.

Mango Chutney #2

Homemade mango chutney with brown sugar, ginger, garlic, raisins, and warm spices. Slow-simmered to jam consistency and aged four weeks for deep flavor.

Tamatar Bhat (Tomato Rice Pilaf)

Fresh or in a pinch canned tomatoes add depth to the rice in this fluffy pilaf. A great side dish and I usually finish cooking the rice using my rice cooker while I'm busy watching the Food Network!

Jerry's Lamb Kebabs

Lamb kebabs marinated in olive oil, lemon, garlic, and ground coriander, then broiled on bamboo skewers until charred at the edges and pink in the middle. A Middle Eastern grill night classic.

Mom's Spiced Carrot Soup

Mom's spiced carrot soup purees tender carrots into a silky bowl warmed with cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and a whisper of cayenne. Healthy, low-fat, and on the table in 30 minutes.

Tikka Chicken

Chicken pieces marinated in spiced yogurt with ginger, garlic, turmeric, and coriander, then grilled on skewers until charred and tender. Authentic Indian chicken tikka at home.

Dal Makhnai

Dal makhani or maa di dal, as it is popularly known in the punjab, with its smooth velvety texture and lovely flavour is a delicacy that is very much a dish of the punjab. Every punjabi restaurant, roadside eating place and food stall vendor makes the claim that this is a delicacy that they alone can make to perfection. This my own tested recipe dare i claim it as the best? dal makhani is traditionally cooked on a low flame overnight and allowed to thicken. Using a pressure cooker helps cook the dal in a jiffy. Serve hot with naans.

Pumpkin Soup with Coconut & Ginger

Pumpkin soup with coconut cream and fresh ginger, brightened with lemon juice and a pinch of chili. Pureed silky-smooth and finished with chopped coriander. Thai-leaning fall comfort that works hot or chilled.

Hummus #2

Herb-loaded hummus made with chickpeas, sauteed onion and garlic, toasted sesame seeds, and a blend of basil, coriander, and oregano. A fresh take on classic hummus.

Edamame, Carrot, & Avocado Salad

Edamame, carrot, and avocado salad tossed in a bright orange-lime and ginger-sesame dressing with black sesame seeds and cilantro. A fresh, protein-rich vegan, gluten-free side.

Carrot Soup with Coriander

Carrot soup with coriander purees sweet carrots and potato in chicken broth, finished with milk and a splash of sherry. Topped with sour cream and cilantro for a vibrant orange starter.

Minced Meat Cutlets with White Radish & Sesame

Polish-style fried meatballs or hamburgers literally called ground cutlets (pol. kotlety mielone). My latest rendition contains white radish, sesame seeds, and cilantro leaves. It is far away from home, but I think it's healthy to travel from time to time. My cutlets are served with potatoes, yoghurt, dill, and Bayou Carlin coleslaw. The salad recipe is taken from RecipeLand. Quick and easy dinner to prepare.

Michael's Mango Chutney

Mango chutney with brown sugar, vinegar, ginger, coriander, and cayenne. A quick-cook Indian condiment that improves with age. Makes 8 cups for pairing with curries and grilled meats.

Indian Stuffed Tomatoes

Stuffed tomatoes or bharva tamatar is a good recipe for potlucks, picnics and very easy to cook. They look very pretty and delicious. These go well with naan, plain parathas or pulao (aromatic fried rice)and some raita as a side dish

Potli samosas

This is simply the 'BEST' and most 'UNIQUE SHAPED' samosa I have seen in all my life!These little potli samosas will sure make your guests ooh and aah o'er them. I promise you will love them. This is another one of the Diwali special dishes lined up on my list of things to make this year for Diwali:) This is also something I'd love everyone to try for this coming Cookathon as the theme is appetisers, and this sure is one!

Moorish Albondigas

The spices used in this recipe give these little meatballs a Moorish influence. A variation of a popular item at tapas bars, these albondigas can be served in a broth or with a sauce for dipping.

Indian Spiced Potato Stuffed Bread

These flavorful Indian stuffed bread goes deliciously well with chutney and raita, or any Indian main course.

Indian Spiced Potato Stuffed Bread

These flavorful Indian stuffed bread goes deliciously well with chutney and raita, or any Indian main course.

Creamy Navrattan Korma

Vegetable Korma is a delicious combination of several vegetables in a creamy sauce. It is often served in Indian restaurants. Korma can be served with any Indian bread or rice.

Rajasthani Aloo Baingan (Potato & Eggplant)

I have never met an eggplant I didn't love! Eggplant is one of my favorite vegetables. The nice thing is you can make it so many ways. This recipe is really easy and turns out a delicious dish that tastes great when served with hot Chapatis.

Another Falafel Recipe

Falafel patties pan-fried from cooked chickpeas with cumin, coriander, garlic, and parsley, then tucked into pita with homemade harissa. A quick vegan main that lands in 30 minutes.

Another Falafel Recipe

Falafel patties pan-fried from cooked chickpeas with cumin, coriander, garlic, and parsley, then tucked into pita with homemade harissa. A quick vegan main that lands in 30 minutes.

Chick Pea & Yam Stew

Nothing is more cozy and satisfying than a bowl of hearty and warm stew on a chilly day. Chick pea and sweet potatoes are super delicious and filling, and it is totally vegetarian and vegan friendly too.

Exotic Spiced Pea Pilaf

Flavorful and colorful. A classic Indian dish, the combination of yogurt, tomatoes, potatoes, rice and spices is super tasty and fills you up. Serve it as a side dish with a tangy stew or a main dish with some refreshing chutney.

Baby Greens with Mediterranean Vinaigrette

This is such a flavorful salad, the vinaigrette brings all the flavors together, and the spinach, dried cranberries and cheddar cheese are perfectly delicious with this tasty dressing.

Tomatillo Cream Sauce

Velvety tomatillo cream sauce blended from tangy tomatillos and green chiles with heavy cream, egg, and a pinch of coriander. Five ingredients, 15 minutes, and endlessly versatile over enchiladas, tacos, or grilled chicken.

Spiced Pumpkin Soup

Spiced pumpkin soup with cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and cloves blended into a velvety, dairy-free puree. A high-fiber, vegetarian fall soup that goes savory rather than sweet.

Plain sooji idli/rava idli/semolina idli

Sooji idli, a quick and simple tea-time snack that is low in fat, this is a perfect option for health conscious people. I’ve used low-fat curds to impart a nice taste and to make the idlis soft. For a wholesome evening snack of just 150 calories, serve three idlis with green chutney, page. . . . Make sure that you make the idlis as soon as you have added the fruit salt to the batter to ensure a fluffy product.

Roasted Moroccan Spiced Chicken

Didn't make the whole chicken, instead cooked one chicken breast with skin and bone. Followed the recipe exactly, and roasted the chicken in the oven until the temperature of the breast was 165 F, which took me about 10 minutes. Then let the cooked chicken breast stand for about 10 minutes, this way made a succulent chicken breast. Served it with some roasted baby carrots tossed with same spices for chicken, delicious!

Lamb Meatballs, Persian Style

Persian lamb meatballs (kufteh) blend ground lamb with bulgur, pine nuts, fresh dill, mint, cumin, and coriander, then bake until juicy. A traditional Iranian main dish.

Nosmo's Moroccan Chili

Hearty Moroccan-spiced lentil chili with orange, cinnamon, cardamom and fresh vegetables. Pressure cooker ready in minutes, served over couscous for a warming vegetarian weeknight meal.

Beef Soup with Lemon Grass (Canh Thit Xao Sa)

Canh Thit Xao Sa: a fragrant Vietnamese beef soup with lemongrass, fish sauce, shallots, and garlic, topped with fresh coriander and scallions. Light, aromatic, and ready in minutes.

Loaded Spicy Chili with Italian Sausage & Ground Beef

Loaded chili built on three meats, ground beef, hot Italian sausage, and smoked sausage, with kidney beans, a layered hit of serrano and habanero heat, and a splash of red wine. Thickened with cornmeal and tastes even better the next day.

Roasted Moroccan Spiced Carrots

Tired of eating your baby carrots raw? Try this roasted Moroccan spiced carrots. Serve it as a side dish, or a healthy yet tasty snack.

Urad Dal Ki Roti

Urad dal ki roti folds spiced black gram lentils right into the dough, then pan-fries into hearty North Indian flatbread studded with green chilies, onion and tangy pomegranate seeds.

Indian Mango Dal

It's easy to make, and it tastes delicious. There are lots of great flavors in this mango dal. Serve it with Indian naan bread bread or rice, a tasty and nutritious week-night meal. You can make it ahead, and simply reheat it.

Indian Samosas Easier

Crispy Indian samosas made easy with spring roll wrappers instead of homemade pastry. Spiced potato-pea filling wrapped and fried until golden.

Creamy Butternut Squash Pear Soup

Creamy butternut squash and pear soup, a velvety autumn first course with thyme, coriander, and a finishing swirl of cream. Garnished with sliced pear and sesame seeds.

Pho Bac (Hanoi Beef & Rice-Noodle Soup)

A savory and hearty soup made with succulent beef, hot chili sauce and bean sprouts.

All 922 recipes