How to Measure a Cilantro Bunch (4 Steps)

Fresh cilantro, that earthy, peppery herb so prevalent in international cuisines, is widely available year-round at most grocery stores. The herb is hugely important in Mexican, Asian and Caribbean cooking, lending its unique flavor to stir-frys, salsas and a litany of other dishes. Grocers most commonly sell cilantro in bunches, but each bunch is different. Don't rely solely on past experience to determine quantities, or you run the risk of overpowering delicate flavors. When working with fresh herbs, it can be difficult to determine exact measurements. Luckily, fresh herbs are much milder than their dried counterparts, so a little more or a little less won't impact your dish too much.

Things You'll Need

  • Knife
  • Measuring cups or spoons

Instructions

  1. Rinse the cilantro bunch in cold water and pat it dry.

  2. Cut the top, leafy portion of the bunch away from the bare stems at the bottom.

  3. Chop the cilantro with a sharp kitchen knife. Unlike most other fresh herbs, don't worry about removing the stems attached to the leaves. Cilantro, like parsley, has very soft stems that won't interfere with flavor or texture.

  4. Scoop the chopped leaves into a measuring cup or spoon. If your leaves are very coarsely chopped, gently pack them into the container for a more accurate measurement.