How to Dehydrate Cilantro In The Oven
We have more cilantro than we can use right now {even after giving some away to the neighbors} and so rather than tossing the surplus onto the compost heap, I decided to dehydrate our extra cilantro in the oven last night to use later this winter in homemade soups and casseroles.
If you have never dried cilantro before {or any herbs for that matter} not only are drying herbs SUPER easy to do, but you can save some serious money when you compare the cost of growing herbs and drying them at home vs. what you would have paid for them in the spice section at the grocery store.
How to Dehydrate Cilantro In The Oven
After I dry my herbs, I like to store them in small mason jars in the pantry or cupboard. Herbs typically store well for about a year or two {or longer} and the flavor is so much more intense than anything you can get in the stores.
Substituting dried herbs for fresh in recipes is also really easy to do, simply use 1/3 the amount the recipe calls for. So, 1 tbsp. of fresh cilantro would equal about 1 tsp. of dried cilantro.
If you are lucky enough to have access to inexpensive fresh herbs {or just like to pop for fresh herbs in the off season}, you can always add them to recipes that call for dried…just do the exact opposite: add three times the amount of fresh.
I snapped a few photos while I was drying my cilantro for those of you who have never tried this before but want to give it a whirl. Drying herbs really is super simple. And hey, saving money is pretty cool too. 🙂
Keep Calm and Garden On.
~Mavis
How to Dehydrate Cilantro In The Oven
Ingredients
1 bunch fresh cilantro
Instructions
Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
Rise cilantro and pat dry with a paper towel.
Remove the leaves from the stems.
Arrange cilantro leaves on a parchment lined cookie sheet {leaves can overlap}.
Bake for 30 minutes or until the all leaves are dry.
Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
Crumble the leaves with your fingers a little and then store in an airtight container.
Joyce says
I’m wondering why it taste like soap to me & how to get rid of that taste?
Pam E-P says
Sadly, you can’t get rid of the taste. There are people (I am one!) for whom cilantro tastes like soap. It has something to do with a sensitivity to aldehydes.
Lisa says
It’s genetic.
From 23andme:
Researchers have identified two genetic markers associated with this aversion. These genetic markers are located near genes that help determine your sense of smell through proteins called olfactory receptors. Some of these receptors detect aldehydes, chemical compounds that are found in soap and thought to be a major component of cilantro aroma.
Laura says
I have cilantro growing in my herb garden but it bolts quickly and forms flowers. I’ve read it’s no good if it does that. Any way to save it still or do I just need to trim it more frequently next year?
Wynne says
I still eat the leaves and stems at that stage, but I adore cilantro. I’ve heard you can eat the green seeds, but to me the seed coating was too tough. Instead if you let the seeds dry, you can crush for coriander.
My cilantro bolts this time of year, too. (7b-Virginia) Try replanting in fall, late winter, and early spring. It likes the cold. If you’re willing to try overwintering, that can work really well too, especially if you’re in a mild climate.
Margo says
When it bolts I like to allow it to flower. The blooms last for a while, seems to attract pollinators and beneficial insects and then produces seed that we normally would pay good money for labeled as coriander.
Dolly says
Absolutely!! I also leave the flowers for the pollinators especially when I used to keep honey bees. Some consider them too much like a weed, but I think anything with color is beautiful as well as beneficial.
RONALD SHERMAN says
I pinch off the flower buds as soon as they form and that GREATLY reduces the time the cilantro tries to go to seed.
Susan D Henline says
My cilantro bolts quickly too. I allow it to go to seed as the seeds are what is known as coriander (who knew you can get 2 seasonings out of one plant!) Once the seeds begin to dry, I just harvest and store to use in pickling recipes for example. Mavis, can I use a dehydrator for my herbs?
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes! I used to dry herbs in the dehydrator all the time. 🙂
Laura says
You can blend them up and put them in ice cube trays. Freeze them and use it like fresh cilantro.
Veronica says
Thanks for this! I made bunches of my excess cilantro and hung them up to dry in our “breakfast nook”. I was wondering how to use it in recipes.
Richa says
Make cilantro chutney
Dried Cilantro 1 bunch
Dried green chillies 12 or less based on how spicy you like, 1teaspoon dried ginger, 1 tsp salt,1/2 tsp cumin seeds, 1tsp garlic powder . 4 tablespoons roasted nuts ( ground nut or almonds or cashew) , 1 tsp dry raw mango powder or few drops of lemon or citric acid.using a grinder make dry powder mix.
Use 1tablespoon dry mix with 3 table spoon of water ,mix it,the chutney is ready.
Use chutney like dipping souce with fritters etc. or on bread slices spread to make sandwich.
Tiffany says
Dehydrating in my oven is one I’ve my favorite things to do with my garden harvest! I’ve been drying basil and mint in the last week. 🙂
Tiffany says
one “of” my favorite things… :/
Jules says
Mavis, just wanted to tell you, I did my first ever dehydrated herbs tonight — parsley, basil and oregano. Thank you so much for this ‘recipe’! My house smells amazing right now 🙂 and I have some really pretty jars of my own dried herbs
Mavis Butterfield says
Well done Jules!