10 Best Cilantro Substitutes for Cooking

Are you looking for a cilantro substitute with a similarly peppery and citrusy flavor? Cilantro is a well-loved herb you can use for a variety of dishes, but there are many reasons you may want to find a substitute for cilantro. 

Perhaps you find cilantro a bit too soapy or strong, you have a cilantro allergy or it’s difficult to find in stores near you. Regardless of the reason, we’ve curated a list of the 10 best cilantro alternatives that can brighten your meal and your day!

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• What Is Cilantro Used for in Cooking?
• 10 Best Substitutes for Cilantro

What Is Cilantro Used for in Cooking?

Cilantro is a wonderful herb to add to a wide variety of dishes as it adds a uniquely vibrant and dynamic flavor. Many people would describe cilantro as slightly peppery, citrusy and fresh; thus, it’s able to add deep, complex and refreshing notes to richer and spicier cuisines. 

It can be cooked in dishes or added raw as an excellent garnish. From cilantro chimichurri and roasted chile corn salsa to eggplant curry, there is an array of recipes that benefit from the unique flavor profile of cilantro. 

If you’re interested in learning how to better incorporate cilantro into dishes, consider attending comprehensive cooking classes near you. And if you’d prefer to understand, appreciate and experiment with this zesty herb in your own home, there are also plenty of online cooking classes you can try.   

10 Best Substitutes for Cilantro

1. Parsley 

If you’ve ever wondered: "Can you substitute parsley for cilantro?", the answer is yes! Parsely is arguably the number one substitute for cilantro because of its many similarities with the bright and tangy herb. 

Parsley is an excellent cilantro substitute if you’re looking for a herb that goes with many cuisines and dishes, from curries to cilantro lime cauliflower rice, but isn’t quite as citrusy in flavor. Additionally, parsley is an easy cilantro substitute because you can use it in a 1:1 ratio, for example, by switching one tablespoon of chopped parsley for each tablespoon of chopped cilantro. 

2. Thai Basil

Thai basil is another excellent cilantro substitute because it’s highly aromatic, similar to cilantro. Additionally, if you prioritize the scent of a dish just as much as its flavor profile, Thai basil may be the perfect cilantro alternative for you. 

There are several dishes in which both Thai basil and cilantro are used, such as Vietnamese pho. In these dishes, you could use Thai basil as a cilantro substitute by simply omitting cilantro and increasing the amount of Thai basil in the recipe. Similar to parsley, Thai basil has a one-to-one ratio with cilantro in recipes, making it an easy cilantro substitute to use.  

3. Culantro 

Nope — that’s not a typo! Culantro is similar to cilantro, not just in name, but also in its pungent, citrusy flavor that adds a bit of bitterness and a refreshing touch to dishes. However, culantro has deeper, stronger and earthier notes that make it appealing to those who love it when the cilantro flavor stands out in dishes.

You can conveniently use the same amount of culantro as you would cilantro. Once you’ve tried it, culantro may even make its way onto your list of spices and herbs that you always have on hand.

4. Ground Coriander

If you’re wondering what the main differences are between coriander vs. cilantro, you’re not alone. Since cilantro comes from the coriander plant, it’s easy to get them confused. In the U.S., cilantro is generally the leaves of the plant while the seeds are called coriander, however, the terms can also be used interchangeably for the leaves.

Ground coriander is the grounded seeds from the coriander plant and is considered a spice instead of a herb like cilantro. Ground coriander makes a superb cilantro substitute due to its shared origin. It has more nutty notes too, making it ideal for dishes in which the refreshing aspects of coriander can be spared and the richness is more critical, such as curries and sauces. 

It’s more concentrated than cilantro, so start with a smaller amount of ground coriander to taste before adding more. A good ratio is half a teaspoon of ground coriander for every tablespoon of chopped cilantro you would use. 

5. Chives

Chives are a somewhat unique choice when it comes to cilantro substitutes. However, they are excellent for specific dishes in which you want a milder flavor but the same bright green look to mimic the visual appeal of cilantro.

You can also combine chives with other cilantro substitutes for a closer flavor to cilantro. However, if you decide to only use chives, you can simply swap out one tablespoon of chopped cilantro for one tablespoon of chopped chives.

6. Cumin

An exciting cilantro substitute is cumin. Why is it exciting, you ask? Because it’s arguably just as dynamic as cilantro in terms of its unique combination of brightness, nuttiness and peppery nature. 

However, it’s best to use a combination of cumin and other cilantro substitutes, such as parsley and coriander, in order to achieve a taste that's closer to cilantro. If you only use cumin, use half a teaspoon of it for every tablespoon of cilantro. 

7. Mexican Oregano

Another fantastic cilantro substitute is Mexican oregano. When people think about oregano, the Italian variety often comes to mind, which has a flavor profile similar to thyme. However, Mexican oregano has a distinctive flavor that’s less like thyme and more similar to lemon, providing citrusy and earthy notes reminiscent of cilantro.

When using it as a cilantro substitute, you only need about one to two tablespoons of Mexican oregano for every two to three tablespoons of chopped cilantro. 

8. Curry Powder

Curry powder is known as one of the strongest and most pungent spices, so it’s certainly a bit of a leap for this list of cilantro substitutes. However, curry powder offers a wonderful, powerful aroma to dishes in a similar way cilantro does. 

That’s why curry powder makes a good cilantro substitute for cooked dishes that welcome deep aromas, such as soups and stews. Don’t attempt to use curry powder as a garnish substitute though. To use curry powder as a cilantro substitute, use a quarter of the amount of cilantro called for.

9. Caraway Seeds

Another unconventional but delicious cilantro substitute is caraway seeds. They offer a different overall flavor profile to cilantro, but share a similar level of peppery and citrusy notes. It’s ideal if you like the taste of cilantro but want to add hints of anise and some sweetness to your dishes.

For that reason, using caraway seeds in baked dishes that would normally call for cilantro is an excellent choice. Using this cilantro substitute won’t give you the herbaceous, green visual appeal of cilantro but you will get a similarly aromatic result. 

Remember that a little goes a long way with this substitute for cilantro. It’s important to start only with a small amount, about one-quarter of the amount of cilantro called for, because caraway seeds are concentrated and provide a strong flavor. 

10. Lime Juice

Is the bright and citrusy flavor profile of cilantro what you appreciate the most about this herb? If so, grab some limes to make some freshly squeezed lime juice when you run out of cilantro.

Although swapping a solid for a liquid may seem like an odd choice, lime juice is a winning cilantro substitute as it resembles the zesty nature of cilantro. It works well in dishes that already have some liquid like salsas, sauces, stews, soups and dressings. You can even add a tangy kick to your favorite marinade recipe by switching blended cilantro for lime.

Keep in mind that if you’re looking to replicate the herbaceous, peppery and nutty notes of cilantro, lime juice won’t cut it alone. However, you can combine it with other cilantro substitutes like parsley. Additionally, you’ll only need around one to two tablespoons for every two to three tablespoons of chopped cilantro when replacing with lime juice.

If you’ve ever asked yourself: “What can I substitute for cilantro?” you now have 10 great answers! Whether you’ve run out of cilantro in your kitchen, can’t find any at the store or simply want to try out slightly different flavor profiles, we hope this list of the 10 best cilantro substitutes helps you find the perfect ingredient to boost your recipes.

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