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.
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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!
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
– 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
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.
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
Quinoa Bowls with Winter Squash, Spinach and Cilantro-Lime Dressing – pictured above
Other Recipes Using Coriander/Cilantro
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.
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