Cilantro Salsa Recipe | The Gracious Pantry (2024)

FAQs

Can I use dried cilantro instead of fresh in salsa? ›

We like Dried Cilantro best in Mexican dishes; add it to bean dips, salsas, soups, or mix it in with sour cream or Greek yogurt and use it as a topping for burritos, chili, enchiladas, or tacos. It makes a delicious Roasted Salsa Verde or Harissa Couscous.

Compared to regular ol' salsa or something like pico de gallo, restaurant-style salsa is usually smoother—just how I like it! It's blended up in a food processor so that all the pieces get minced really finely.

Cilantro lime salsa is loaded with ripe Roma tomatoes, red onions, garlic, fresh cilantro, lime juice, and a secret ingredient that takes this salsa to the next level! Enjoy this vibrant and zesty salsa with tortilla chips, in burritos, or on top of enchiladas!

For salsas and curries, many find the cilantro stems add a pleasant amount of concentrated cilantro flavor. If your recipe doesn't specify on the inclusion of stems, use your best judgement. For instance, pico de gallo is usually made with cilantro leaves.

Just remember the 3:1 ratio. Triple the volume if you want to use fresh instead of dried. Divide the volume by three if you want to use dried instead of fresh. Some delicate herbs (cilantro, dill, parsley) lose more of their punch when dried, so you may have to taste your dish and add a bit more.

Unlike jarred or canned salsa, restaurant salsa is essentially small-batch, freshly made salsa. These establishments have access to high-quality ingredients and equipment to streamline the salsa-making process and ensure a consistent product.

One of the problems with store-bought salsas—especially ones that are made in the style of fresh salsas, like salsa verde and pico de gallo—is that the high-heat canning process kills those fresh flavors. Whatever vitality they had before they went into the jar doesn't come out so great on the other side.

Cumin – Its earthy flavor adds complexity to the zesty sauce. Sugar – Just a pinch! It really brings this recipe together, taming the sharp, acidic flavors of the other ingredients. Salt – To make all the flavors pop!

How to thicken homemade salsa? ›

Fortunately, there's an easy way to thicken this kind of salsa to your exact liking: tomato paste. A tablespoon or two could be just what you need to tighten up your sauce but do keep in mind that not all salsas are the same.

Cilantro has found its home in Mexican cuisine. Its bright, fresh flavor blends perfectly with the bold flavors of popular Mexican dishes. Mexican dishes are often associated with spice, turning up the heat to provide an unmatched flavor profile. Cilantro turned out to be the best herb to pair with these bold flavors.

Cilantro is wonderful in recipes as well as on top of dishes as a garnish. It's often stirred into salsas, guacamoles, soups, sauces, chutneys, and dressings. Unlike parsley, the stems aren't typically used or chopped with the leaves, unless making a pesto or other sauce in a food processor.

A good rule to follow is half the amount of dry for fresh. For example, if a recipe calls for 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, use 2 tablespoons dried herbs. Save this swap for cooked dished – but not something like cilantro rice, more like cilantro lime chicken or a slow-cooker dish.

Once opened, dried cilantro can be safely used for up to 1 year, although it might lose a bit of its flavor after 6 months. If it has been exposed to moisture it may spoil faster, while frozen dried cilantro can last indefinitely although it might lose flavor over time.

The final way to preserve cilantro is to dry it. You can purchase dried cilantro at most supermarkets, but if you have some fresh cilantro on hand that you know you're not going to get to, why not save a little money and dry it yourself?

Luckily, there are many substitutes for cilantro that are easily added to any recipe. Substitute cilantro with other herbs such as parsley, Thai basil, or dill. Lemon and lime are also good substitutes in a pinch as they mimic the bright flavor of cilantro.