Team Cilantro: These 21 Herby-Green Recipes Are for You

Once upon a time, in 2012, I returned home from my first year of college and got a summer job working at a fast food burrito chain. So began my education in the enormous passions of teams Pro-Cilantro and Anti-Cilantro.

They are equally ardent, and the herb is one of extremes: Some customers would ask for extra cilantro to be added to their burritos; some would immediately recoil at the sight of the leaves. It's either the world's best herb or...it tastes like feet.

 

If you're a staunch member of Team Anti-Cilantro, let me direct you to recipes that will help you use up your basil. But if you're Team Pro-Cilantro—well, you've come to the right place. Here are 21 of our best cilantro recipes just for you: 

1. Cilantro Coconut Chutney

Serve this coconutty chutney with all manner of roasted meats, fishes, vegetables, or even spread on a sandwich.

2. Roasted Cauliflower with Cumin & Cilantro

This isn't your average roasted cauliflower, thanks to a few simple, yet impactful additions: cilantro, cumin, and lemon juice. 

 

3. Chilaquiles Verdes

These spicy, saucy chilaquiles wouldn't be complete without a final flurry of torn cilantro leaves, aka the perfect garnish.

4. Fish with Green Masala & Coconut Wrapped in Banana Leaves

In this Parsi recipe, firm white fish is marinated in a green masala made with cilantro leaves, mint, green chiles, and coconut before getting wrapped in banana leaves and pan-fried.

 

5. Kutabi (Azerbaijani Savory Panckes Filled with Greens & Herbs)

These savory Azerbaijani pancakes are packed with the bright, fresh flavors of cilantro (and many other herbs), onions, green garlic, and serrano pepper.

6. Anna Thomas' Green Soup

This creamy, Genius-approved soup is all about the green, from the veggies to the cilantro.

7. Cooked Green Salsa (Salsa Verde)

This zippy salsa verde goes with just about anything: quesadillas, tortilla chips, fried eggs, grilled meats, you name it.

8. Corn Soup with Tofu Larb

This contest-winning soup expertly balances spicy (from the larb-style tofu) with sweet (the creamy corn base). 

 

9. Sweet Potato & Cilantro Quesadilla with Fried Egg & Cumin Oil

This vegetarian-friendly dish could easily be breakfast, brunch, lunch, or even dinner—it's up to you. 

10. Green Goddess Chicken Sandwiches

We pretty much guarantee you'll fall in love with this green goddess dressing, a creamy-herby combination of yogurt, avocado, herbs, honey, and lemon juice.

11. Summer Vegetable & Glass Noodle Salad

This refreshing chilled noodle salad is exactly what you want to dig into on a hot summer afternoon or evening. 

12. Fried Greens Meatlessballs

These green veggie meatballs make an excellent appetizer, but would also feel right at home smothered in your favorite tomato sauce with spaghetti. 

13. Seared Sea Scallops with Gingered Pea Purée & Cilantro Gremolata

The finishing touch on this buttery, pea-filled scallop dish: a zesty cilantro gremolata. 

14. Hello Summer Cocktail

Welcome the warm weather with a batch of this super-refreshing drink. 

15. José Pizarro's Salt-Crusted Potatoes with Cilantro Mojo

You'll never make potatoes the same way again after trying this salt-crusted method.

16. Sheet-Pan Broccoli & Chorizo Salad With Tortilla Chip Gremolata

A totally riffable sheet-pan dinner that takes regular-old roasted broccoli up several notches.

17. Speedy Chicken & Potato Curry

A final splash of cream and handful of cilantro make this dish "intensely fragrant and deeply divine."

18. Chicken & Broccoli Meatball Subs With Apple Giardiniera

Feel free to eat these broccoli meatballs as is—they make an amazing snack straight from the fridge.

19. Anita Lo's Roasted & Pickled Radish Tacos

These Genius vegetarian tacos can just as easily go vegan—just skip the queso fresco.

20. Smashed Pea Guacamole with Cilantro, Ginger & Lime

We dare you to stop at just one chip.

21. Jalapeño–Cilantro Stem Marinade

This zingy green marinade was made for chicken, from crispy wings to tender grilled chicken thighs.

Which team are you on? What's your best way to use up a bunch of cilantro?

This article was updated by the Food52 editors in 2020 to include more yummy cilantro recipes.