15 Cilantro Recipes That Put the Fresh Herb Front and Center
This leafy green is more than just a garnish!
It’s a tale as old as time: You buy a bunch of cilantro at the store, add a sprinkle to shrimp fajitas or a dash to chicken enchiladas, and stuff the rest in your crisper drawer, where they’re destined to wilt. While you might think of cilantro as a mere garnish, plenty of dishes prove that the herb can (and often should!) steal the show. Whether it’s a Southwestern salad tossed with a zesty cilantro dressing, roasted potatoes drizzled with a garlicky cilantro sauce, or a juicy steak topped with a dollop of cilantro butter, each one of these dishes puts the fresh herb at the front and center.
Instead of letting the remainder go to waste, whip up one of these cilantro-based recipes full of bright, citrusy flavor. There are main courses like hot dogs and grain bowls, side dishes like pasta salads and corn salads, and homemade salsas that embrace the herb as a pivotal part of the recipe—not an afterthought. Our list has a cilantro-packed dish for every occasion: grilling recipes for your next cookout, make-ahead recipes for potlucks or picnics, easy sides for weeknight dinners, and quick party dips that’ll become your new go-to. Whether you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing entrée, a satisfying salad, or a simple way to use up the bunch you’ve been neglecting, these recipes let the herb shine.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers With Cilantro-Lime Rice
The spicy, smoky shrimp skewers pair perfectly with a scoop of cilantro-lime rice, which adds a bright, cooling contrast to the bold jerk seasoning.
Get Ree’s Grilled Shrimp Skewers With Cilantro-Lime Rice recipe.
Grilled Corn Salad With Cilantro Vinaigrette
With a zingy cilantro dressing and a heaping of the fresh herb, this dish has double the cilantro flavor. It complements the charred corn, creamy avocado, and juicy tomatoes beautifully.
Get Ree’s Grilled Corn Salad With Cilantro Vinaigrette recipe.
Pico de Gallo
Without cilantro, pico de gallo wouldn’t have its signature taste! Whether you serve this dip with tortilla chips or spoon it over tacos, the zippy flavors won’t disappoint.
Get Ree’s Pico de Gallo recipe.
Air-Fryer Steak With Cilantro-Garlic Butter
Garlic-cilantro butter takes this air-fryer steak from good to restaurant-worthy. Adding slices to the hot, crispy exterior will give the meat a rich, melty finish.
Street Corn Pasta Salad
This pasta salad gets double the cilantro: chopped and folded into the mixture as well as sprinkled on top. The herb really punches up the zesty lime flavor.
Get the Street Corn Pasta Salad recipe.
Avocado Salsa Verde
All you need is five minutes and four ingredients (cilantro being a major contributor, of course) to churn out this party dip. While it’s good with chips, it’s even better drizzled over chicken, shrimp, or steak.
Get Ree’s Avocado Salsa Verde recipe.
BBQ Hot Dogs With Cilantro Slaw
Hot dogs are a must at any cookout, but when they’re brushed with BBQ sauce and finished off with cilantro slaw, they become instantly elevated.
Get Ree’s BBQ Hot Dogs With Cilantro Slaw recipe.
Cowboy Caviar
Pantry staples and fresh veggies aren’t the only ingredients that make cowboy caviar irresistible. It’s also packed with cilantro, an addition the wakes everything up and makes the dish so refreshing.
Get the Cowboy Caviar recipe.
Crispy Potatoes With Cilantro-Garlic Sauce
Crispy potatoes drizzled with a cooling cilantro sauce offers a delectable contrast. Coating the golden edges, the bold, herby condiment adds a lively touch.
Get Ree’s Crispy Potatoes With Cilantro-Garlic Sauce recipe.
Gorditas
Here’s the thing about gorditas: you can stuff ‘em however you want. If you ask us, a hearty helping of chopped cilantro (half a cup, to be exact) pairs perfectly with pulled pork.
Get the Gorditas recipe.
Guacamole
Sure, avocado might be the standout ingredient in guacamole, but it’s the generous dose of cilantro that’s responsible for its fresh, citrusy flavor.
Get the Guacamole recipe.
Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
Folks love Mexican street corn as it’s topped with all kinds of fixin’s: mayo, chili powder, and Cotija cheese. Cilantro is just the thing to balance out the creamy, cheesy ingredients.
Get the Mexican Street Corn recipe.
Tex-Mex Grain Bowls
Cilantro cuts through the dense starches and fiery spices in this grain bowl. If you’re looking for a vegetarian-friendly dinner, this one won’t disappoint!
Get Ree’s Tex-Mex Grain Bowls recipe.
Taco Salad
Piled high with ground beef, black beans, avocado, tomatoes, cheese, jalapeños, and cilantro, this taco salad has everything that makes Tex-Mex such crowd-pleasing fare. And it’ll be ready in 15 minutes!
Get the Taco Salad recipe.
Southwestern Pasta Salad
This recipe is a fusion of textures of flavors: It’s creamy yet crunchy, sweet yet spicy, and fresh yet smoky. Since you can make it a day ahead, it’s also convenient!
Get the Southwestern Pasta Salad recipe.
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