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How Much Is a Bunch Of Cilantro? #1 Correct Answer

How Much Is a Bunch Of Cilantro? #1 Correct Answer

When it comes to herbs, such as cilantro, you often hear people refer to them as a ‘bunch’. It’s become such a common phrase that you will often see it listed in recipes as well.

However, the problem with eyeing ingredients and referring to them in this way is that it can be hard to determine exactly how much a bunch is. When it comes to a bunch of cilantro, different measurements depend on how the cilantro is presented.

How Much Is a Bunch Of Cilantro?

A bunch of cilantro is considered 3/4 of a cup If you are purchasing cilantro from the grocery store that has not been chopped. When minced, you need to have one cup to equal a bunch. When it comes to dried cilantro, less is more, a bunch is around two tablespoons. The term bunch changes depending on how your cilantro has been prepared. It’s also important to observe because, with too much cilantro, your dish can be over seasoned.

Too Much Garlic In Food
How Much Is a Bunch of Cilantro?

How Much Is a Bunch Of Cilantro Leaves?

When cilantro is purchased in its loose-leaf form, a bunch is considered one and a half cups. This is again once the stems have been removed. Loose-leaf cilantro can be great for several different recipes.

What many people don’t know about cilantro is that it has a lot of health benefits. So adding a bunch of cilantro to your dish not only adds flavor, but can also provide your body with vitamins A, C, and K.

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A Bunch is Considered One and a Half Cups in loose-leaf form.

How Much Is a Bunch Of Chopped Cilantro?

When chopping cilantro, you should first remove the stems. Then you want to chop the cilantro leaves to a fine texture. If your recipe calls for a bunch of chopped cilantro, you need to chop enough to get one cup.

When chopping cilantro, it is important to ensure that the cilantro leaves have been chopped relatively evenly. This way, you will get the correct amount of the desired flavor.

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One Bunch of Chopped Cilantro Equals One Cup

How Much Is a Bunch Of Dried Cilantro?

When you dry cilantro there is a significant amount of mass that is lost in the drying process. Because of this, if a recipe is asking for a bunch of cilantro, you need significantly less than you would if it was fresh.

The general rule is that a bunch of cilantro, when dried, is two tablespoons. While it may seem like that isn’t enough, remember that the drying process of herbs locks the flavor in.

If you use more than that, you can end up with an overwhelming cilantro flavor that masks all of the other flavors in your dish.

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A Bunch of Cilantro is Two Tablespoons when Dried

How To Properly Store Fresh Cilantro

Herbs can be difficult to store. When you don’t store them properly, they expire more rapidly than they should. Cilantro is one of the herbs that needs a little extra TLC if you want it to last longer.

One of the most effective ways to store cilantro that you purchase at the grocery store is by trimming the bottom. After cutting off the bottom of the cilantro stems, place them into a glass or jar of water in your fridge. Trimming the stems allows for the stems to absorb water more effectively.

You may want to cover it with some plastic wrap. This can prevent your cilantro from absorbing other smells that are in your fridge. If you do cover your cilantro, just make sure the plastic wrap is loose as your cilantro still needs room to breathe.

The benefit of storing your cilantro this way is that it can last a couple of weeks, rather than a couple of days. If you just leave it in the packaging or bag that you got it from in the grocery store, you should plan to use it in a couple of days.

You can also freeze cilantro. This is a great method if you frequently need cilantro in recipes that you cook, or if you grow cilantro and want to preserve bunches of it for later use.

If you want to freeze the cilantro, the first step is to trim the leaves from the stems. Once removed, put the cilantro leaves into an ice-cube tray and top it off with liquid. Once the cubes have frozen, you can transfer them to a freezer-safe bag.

Freezing cilantro this way makes for easy cooking. You’ve already got the designated bunch of cilantro and all you need to do is add a cube of it to your food.

Storing cilantro this way can extend its shelf-life to two to three months, without a loss in flavor. While it won’t go bad that quickly if you keep it longer, you will notice a difference in the flavor.

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Place Bunch of Cilantro in a Glass Jar with Water to Keep Fresh Longer.

In Conclusion About How Much Is a Bunch of Cilantro

While a bunch of cilantro may not sound specific, a bunch is considered to be one and a half cups when it is a loose leaf. However, it is important to note that the number changes if the cilantro has been prepped differently.

If you have dried cilantro, you will need significantly less of it for it to be considered a bunch. If your cilantro has been chopped, you will need more of it.

When a recipe calls for a bunch of cilantro, make sure you are using the right amounts as to not have the cilantro flavor overpower your recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions About How Much a Bunch Of Cilantro Is

What is the best way to make sure that I am getting the right amount for a bunch of cilantro?

If you don’t have a food scale, the best way to determine if you have a bunch of cilantro is to use measuring cups or spoons. Depending on how the cilantro you are using has been prepared, this is the easiest way to ensure that you don’t end up with more than you need.

Should I keep the stems on my cilantro?

When cooking with cilantro, it is best to remove the stems. If you leave the stems on you’ll find that your bunch of cilantro has less flavor and more weight. You can either strip the herbs from the stem, or you can chop the leaves off where the stem connects to them.