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13 Recipes Cilantro-Lovers Need to Try

April 12, 2013
Photo: Iain Bagwell
This pungent herb amps up the flavor in our Taco Truck Lettuce Wraps, but don't let the rest go to waste. The leaves and stems also can add fresh flavor to drinks, sides, and dressings.
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Taco Truck Lettuce Wraps

Caitlin Bensel
View recipe: Taco Truck Lettuce Wraps

Fresh Mexican chorizo (found near the bulk raw sausage) teams up with ground pork to add bold flavor to these wraps; use it instead of dry-cured Spanish chorizo. Leftover pickled carrots and jalapeños make a zesty sandwich topper.

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Spice-Crusted Flank Steak with Crispy Potatoes

Caitlin Bensel
View recipe: Spice-Crusted Flank Steak with Crispy Potatoes

We recommend doubling the recipe for this smoky tomatillo sauce. It's also fantastic on grilled chicken and shrimp and in our Bacon, Arugula, and Egg Wraps. Serve this hearty dish with a salad of romaine and radishes with a tart lime dressing.

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Avocado-Cilantro Sauce

Caitlin Bensel
View recipe: Avocado-Cilantro Sauce

Be sure to include the cilantro stems when blending the sauce; they have even more flavor than the leaves. Spoon this cool, creamy sauce over pan-grilled chicken or tacos. You can also thin with a little water and use as a salad dressing, or thicken it with a little more yogurt or avocado for a vegetable dip.

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Cilantro-lime Margaritas

Victor Protasio
View recipe: Cilantro-Lime Margaritas

Skip the sugary margarita mix and welcome the warmer weather with this twist on a classic margarita. This is a great use for cilantro stems, which have all the flavor of cilantro, but are often overlooked.

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Spicy Tofu Curry

Caitlin Bensel
View recipe: Spicy Tofu Curry

Look for lemongrass—a long, slender, woody herb with an herbal lemon flavor that’s common in Thai curries—near other herbs in well-stocked markets or at an Asian market. Leftover lemongrass will keep the the refrigerator for at least a month or in an airtight container in the freezer for up to six months.

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No-Frills Guacamole

Caitlin Bensel
View recipe: No-Frills Guacamole

This recipe gets back to basics and makes flavor balance the top priority so no ingredient tramples on the exquisite, subtly nutty, and lightly sweet flavors of avocado. As with all simple recipes, the quality of the ingredients makes or breaks the dish: Be particularly sure to use avocados at peak ripeness. We let the onion and jalapeño macerate with the lime juice and salt to tame their flavors slightly. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips, and set out some crunchy vegetables to dip, too, such as radishes, mini sweet peppers, and jicama slices.

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Crunchy Romaine Salad with Cilantro Ranch

Victor Protasio
View Recipe: Crunchy Romaine Salad with Cilantro Ranch

Try this dressing on top of any combo of greens and crunchy vegetables or as a dip for carrots of cucumbers.

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Waffle-Iron Chicken Quesadillas

Victor Protasio
View recipe: Waffle-Iron Chicken Quesadillas

Find precooked chicken in the hot foods section of your grocery store. When assembling, keep the fillings within a 1/2 inch from the edge so they don’t spill over.

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Green Cauliflower Rice

Victor Protasio
View recipe: Green Cauliflower Rice

If you can't find premade fresh cauliflower crumbles, coarsely chop 1 pound cauliflower; place in a food processor, and pulse in short bursts until small, rice-size crumbles form.

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Sweet and Spicy Carrot Soup

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Carrot Soup

The combination of carrots, Fresno chili, brown sugar, fresh ginger, and green onions give this soup a sweet and spicy flavor.

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Grilled Chicken Curry Flatbreads

Victor Protasio
View Recipe: Grilled Chicken Curry Flatbreads

Dinner comes together quickly with some smart convenience products. Cooked flatbreads just need a quick turn on the grill pan, a far speedier process than baking pizza dough. And rotisserie chicken is always great to keep on hand for fast, easy meals.

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Carrot Orecchiette

Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Carrot Orecchiette

Large carrots work best in this staff favorite. Whether you're an herbivore or a meat-lover, everyone will fall in love with this beautiful pasta dish. Break out your mandoline, if you have one, for easier, more even sliced carrots. This one, from OXO is nice).

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Spiced Meatball, Butternut, and Tomato Stew

Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: Spiced Meatball, Butternut, and Tomato Stew

Add this comforting, 35-minute stew to your winter recipe rotation. These tender meatballs have a mild, warm spice. Chopped cilantro at the end adds a nice burst of freshness. You can substitute ground chicken, if desired.

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