Culantro: The Ultimate Cilantro Replacement
Culantro is an herb that tastes similar to cilantro. It is tougher, easier to grow, and stronger in flavor. Try growing and using culantro today! This guide has all you need to grow the awesome herb.
Culantro rosette growing under LED lights.
I have a bone to pick with cilantro! It has an undeniably good flavor but it is not an easy plant to grow. Cilantro grows a small number of leaves before it bolts when the heat of summer arrives. It is a touchy herb with extravagant needs.
It can be particularly aggravating when you're in the mood for some delicious tacos with salsa, only to find that the cilantro you need is tough and woody. I personally experience a strong hankering for cilantro during the hot summer months, which is ironically when it is the most challenging to cultivate.
When I discovered there is a cilantro substitute that likes growing during the heat of summer I was in disbelief! I remember I was in Puerto Rico visiting my partner’s family, and his family shared a tropical herb with me that has a flavor similar to cilantro.
Named "culantro," it is a biennial herb that grows in warmer, tropical climates. This powerful plant is so successful at reproduction that some consider it an invasive weed!
Culantro is not a weed in the eyes of an herbalist. It is a tough, tasty, and nutritious cilantro substitute that can be grown indoors or outdoors. Culantro also lasts longer in dishes subject to heat, so you can put it in soups and stews without it wilting like cilantro would do.
You may be wondering, how can I grow this herb, and how can I use it in my kitchen? Well have no fear, here are all the tips and tricks you'll need for the handy herb culantro.
How to Grow Culantro
Culantro is the common name for this plant. The proper scientific name is Eryngium foetidum. Some other common names for this plant are sawtooth coriander, recao (Puerto Rican name), and cilantro de hoja ancha.
Culantro From Seed
A tray of culantro plants in 4” pots.
The best way to grow culantro is from seed. To sow seeds:
Put 4” pots inside a seedling tray.
Fill 4” pots with soil and pat them down. Add a little soil on top.
Premoisten the soil by watering each pot.
Wait for the water to drain, and water each pot again.
Once the soil is moist, scatter culantro seeds lightly across the top.
Place a little bit of soil on top of the seeds. Be sure not to bury the seeds, as they must be on top of the soil to germinate.
And there you have it! You’ve sown culantro seeds.
Culantro can take anywhere from one to three weeks to germinate. Patience is key during this phase, as it is still a good idea to check in on your seeds from time to time. Ensure the soil stays moist throughout the germination process for seed germination success.
To speed up germination you can use a seedling heat mat. The heat mat will help the seeds stay warm, which will help them germinate quicker than normal.
Once your seeds have sprouted and grown you can transplant them outside, or you can keep them growing inside.
Transplanting Culantro
Culantro is a frost-tender herb, and it thrives in warm temperatures. In late spring, transplant culantro into the garden after the threat of frost is no longer present. Culantro is a biennial, so it will grow leaves one year and flowers the next.
In warmer climates, culantro will reseed itself in favorable conditions. Its first year growing will be spent as a rosette of spiny leaves. In its second year culantro will grow a stem that bears a flower head with little white flowers. These flowers produce seeds that will be the next generation of culantro.
In areas that receive frost during the winter, culantro is best treated as an annual in the garden. Transplant young plants in late spring, and harvest the plant throughout summer. The plants will die during winter, and you’ll have to sow seeds again in the spring.
Culantro Indoors
To avoid the hassle of having to resow culantro each spring, you can also grow culantro indoors. Instead of transplanting them, you can grow them effectively in 4” pots under the light.
If you have little direct sunlight from your windows, try artificial plant lights. Culantro appreciates moist soil, lots of light, and good airflow. So long as you grant it these three needs you’ll have happy culantro whenever you need it.
How to Cook Culantro
Culantro is a powerhouse in the kitchen. With so many uses it is no wonder this herb is a staple in Puerto Rican, Brazilian, and Vietnamese cuisine.
I like to use culantro in sofrito, arroz con gandules, and in fresh salsas. As this herb has a tougher exterior than cilantro, it is best to cut it up into small pieces when eating it fresh. In heated dishes, the culantro wilts and can be easily eaten.
A culantro replacement ratio is 1 part culantro to 2 parts cilantro, because culantro has a stronger flavor than cilantro. For every one part of cilantro in a recipe, you halve that amount to find the proper amount of culantro to use. For example, if a recipe calls for one cup of chopped cilantro you would substitute it with half a cup of culantro.
Culantro in the Kitchen
Here are some common uses of culantro with links to recipes I enjoy using:
Sofrito
Recipe from Latina Mom Meals
Arroz con Gandules
Recipe from Delish Dlites
Black Bean Stew
Recipe from Vegan Caribbean Kickstart
Vegetable Soup
Fresh Salsa
Culantro Salad
Conclusion
If you're a fan of cilantro but find it difficult to grow or keep fresh, then culantro might just be the perfect substitute for you. This herb is easy to grow, thrives in warm temperatures, and has a powerful and unique flavor that can take your cooking to the next level.
With these tips and tricks for growing and cooking with culantro, you'll be able to add this versatile herb to your favorite dishes in no time. So why not give culantro a try and discover a new flavor? It might become your new favorite herb!
