Cilantro vs Coriander: What’s the Difference?
Everything you need to know to buy and cook with confidence.
istetiana/Getty Images
By Layla Khoury-Hanold for Food Network Kitchen
Layla Khoury-Hanold is a contributor at Food Network.
Cilantro and coriander often get confused as the same herb, and for good reason. Here, we discuss what each ingredient is, the differences between them and where coriander seeds fit in.
Con Poulos
What Is Cilantro?
Cilantro is a leafy green herb that comes from the coriandrum sativum plant. Cilantro has a sharp, tangy, almost citrus-like flavor and a strong aroma. Cilantro is used in many Asian, South American and Mexican cuisines, and in sauces and salads like this Spicy Cilantro-Scallion Salad (pictured above).
What Is Coriander?
In the U.S., coriander refers to the seeds that come from the coriandrum sativum plant. Outside the U.S., coriander refers to the leaves and stems of the coriandrum sativum plant, and the seeds are called coriander seeds. Coriander seeds are round with a beige color and a sweet-spicy flavor profile. Coriander seeds can be purchased whole or ground and are frequently used in pickling brines and in many Indian cuisines.
Veena Nair/Getty Images
Cilantro vs Coriander: Are They the Same Thing?
Fresh cilantro and fresh coriander are the same thing, just with different names depending on where they're grown and used. In the U.S., cilantro refers to the leafy green part and stems, whereas the seeds are referred to as coriander seeds. Cilantro and coriander seeds come from the same plant, but they are very different in flavor and cannot be used interchangeably.
Related Links:
