Never Confuse Parsley and Cilantro Again—Here's How to Tell the Herbs Apart (and When to Use Each)

Know your herbs!

Just like salt and sugar, cucumber and zucchini , or chocolate chips and carob chips (if you know, you know), parsley and cilantro are two ingredients that look dangerously similar but are decidedly unique. Both green herbs, parsley, and cilantro share a similar appearance, with long green stems and soft leaves. Both the stems and leaves are edible, but taste quite different.

Parsley is typically found in European and Mediterranean cooking, while cilantro, also called coriander in some parts of the world, is a more common ingredient in Latin American and Southeast Asian cooking. To make things more complicated, parsley is commonly found in a few different varieties, including flat-leaf parsley (which looks most similar to cilantro) and curly-leaf parsley. Chervil, related to parsley, is a more delicate herb that can also at times be mistaken for cilantro.

Related: How to Grow Cilantro Successfully at Home

Here’s what you need to know when it comes to parsley vs. cilantro, including how to tell each herb apart and how to cook with both of them.

Meet Our Expert

• Melanie Shurka , chef of Israeli-Iranian and Ashkenazi Jewish descent who is currently the Executive Chef at Kubeh in New York City
  

What Is Parsley?

Parsley is a green herb that can be enjoyed raw or cooked, and is often used as a garnish. It is also sold dried as a seasoning.

“Parsley has an herbaceous, fresh, grass-like smell and taste,” says Melanie Shurka, chef at Kubeh in New York City. “It’s versatile in use, and can be added to almost any savory dish.”  Shurka is a fan of Italian parsley, likening curly parsley to a garnish. “Of all the herbs, parsley is the mildest of flavors, and acts like a base flavor to almost all savory dishes,” she explains.

Parsley can also be considered a superfood due to its high nutrient density , which offers calcium , potassium , vitamins A, C, and K, and more nutrients.

What Is Cilantro?

Like parsley, cilantro is also a green herb that can be enjoyed raw or cooked, and is often used as a garnish. It is also sold dried as a seasoning.

“Cilantro is aromatic and a touch bitter on its own, but when cooked or with other ingredients, cilantro brings a warmth and roundness to dishes,” says Shurka. “To some, cilantro has an unbearable soapy taste .”

Related: How to Shred Cabbage for Slaws, Salads, Tacos, and More

Parsley vs. Cilantro

“Parsley is flatter, sharper, and stiffer. Cilantro is softer and less dense,” explains Shurka. “Cilantro is less versatile than parsley and less pungent. Parsley can blend well in the background of layers of flavors, while cilantro usually is a pronounced flavor in a dish.”

Of course, parsley and cilantro naturally go together and can be used in herby sauces like pesto , chimichurri , and chermoula. “The combination is great in soups , stews, and flavorful rice dishes,” says Shurka. “Also, the best falafel has both loads of parsley and cilantro.”

How to Cook With Parsley

If it’s savory, it’s probably better with parsley.

“I add freshly chopped parsley to salads, dips , cooked vegetables, and legumes like chickpeas and lentils, generally with lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil,” says Shurka. “I add parsley to omelets , scrambled eggs , and shakshuka . I like parsley in ground meats for extra flavor, like the beef-lamb kofta kebab at Kubeh. I also regularly marinate meats with extra virgin olive oil and parsley to tenderize and further enhance the depths of flavor of proteins. Additionally, I stir parsley into boiling stocks and soups, and saute it into sauces for an extra herbaceous flavor, like in our green tahini at Kubeh.”

For big parsley flavor, try this game-changing Parsley-Garlic Salmon , Grilled Swordfish With Parsley-Caper Salsa , tabouli, or Summer Squash With Parsley .

How to Cook With Cilantro

Cilantro can be cooked in similar ways to parsley, depending on a dish’s flavor profile.

“I use freshly chopped cilantro with salads and in soups,” Shurka says. “I love cilantro paired with turmeric and cardamom, which is found often in Persian cooking. I love cilantro with tomatoes , cooked seafood, crudo, and ceviche. I particularly like cilantro with citrus, garlic, and heat, like in schug—a Yemeni hot sauce that’s mostly pureed cilantro with lime juice, garlic, serrano pepper, and spices.”

For major cilantro flavor, try Curry Chicken Thighs With Cilantro Rice , Green Gazpacho With Smoked Trout , Chili-Lime Chicken Thighs and Black Beans , or Cilantro-Garlic Yogurt Sauce .

Related: 22 Common Types of Squash—From Acorn to Zucchini

Can You Use Parsley Instead of Cilantro?

Yes, parsley can be used in pretty much any savory dish, as an ingredient or a garnish, and you can substitute cilantro with parsley. Cilantro’s stronger flavor means it is not an equal swap and cilantro should not typically be used instead of parsley.

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