Cilantro vs. Parsley

pamwhite712
pamwhite712 Posts: 193 Member
in Recipes
I am one of the lucky people who can't eat cilantro. Well, I can, but it tastes like soap to me. Not very appetizing. Anyways, does anyone have experience substituting cilantro with parsley? There are so many recipes that sound good but they call for cilantro and that's a deal breaker for me. I figure since they're closely related it shouldn't make that much of a difference.

Replies

  • Zeromilediet
    Zeromilediet Posts: 787 Member
    Depending on your recipe and flavors you're looking for ... substitute basil, italian parsley (flat leaf), tarragon, chives etc.
  • Pinkylee77
    Pinkylee77 Posts: 432 Member
    I think they taste very different but you are the boss of your kitchen and if you like the taste of parsley in a recipe there is no reason you can't add it. I have just eliminated cilantro if I don't have it with little problem to the recipe as a whole for the most part. Parsley is a great herb in general.
  • CoraGregoryCPA
    CoraGregoryCPA Posts: 1,087 Member
    Just leave it out. If you don't like cilantro you won't miss it in your recipe. I think Parsley and Cilantro are completely different.
  • xFamousLastWordsx
    xFamousLastWordsx Posts: 301 Member
    I also think cilantro tastes like soap! I sub it with italian flat leaf parsley and I think it works well :).
  • Krissy366
    Krissy366 Posts: 458 Member
    I think soap would be an improvement over how nasty cilantro tastes to me. But I echo the thoughts of others - I simply leave it out when a recipe calls for it.
  • SwimFan1981
    SwimFan1981 Posts: 1,430 Member
    I adore coriander but there are so many herbs to choose from.

    Have a look at this for inspiration http://robertbloggert.hubpages.com/hub/Healthy-foods-What-herbs-go-best-with-what-foods


    Happy herbing!
  • realme56
    realme56 Posts: 1,093 Member
    Totally different but it is up to your own palate as to what you want to eat.
  • pamwhite712
    pamwhite712 Posts: 193 Member
    Thanks everyone. I'm glad I'm not the only one- my friends think I'm crazy when I mention it.
  • jazzcat55
    jazzcat55 Posts: 164 Member
    It's pretty funny how people either love or HATE cilantro. I happen to love it, although I do remember my first taste of it years ago when it did kind of taste like soap. But it totally grew on me. Now I can almost use a whole bunch of it in a single recipe. For cilantro haters, I agree with the suggestion of using basil instead. Parsley is much different and to me doesn't have that much flavor, but maybe that is because I am so used to cilantro! :laugh:
  • monicalosesweight
    monicalosesweight Posts: 1,173 Member
    Hmm. Weird. I've never had that experience. I love Cilantro and it tastes super tangy to me...has a very powerful smell if diced and used for cooking. Parsley is blah to me - boring - no flavor.

    Monica
  • rm7161
    rm7161 Posts: 505
    Just leave it out. If you don't like cilantro you won't miss it in your recipe. I think Parsley and Cilantro are completely different.

    This, really.

    A flat leaf Italian parsley, if you are looking for the green and texture. But overall, the nuance that cilantro gives is unique and not replicable by parsley. (or by basil, really... Thai and Mexican dishes that need cilantro ask for it for a reason)
  • neurochamp
    neurochamp Posts: 261 Member
    I also cannot stand cilantro. I make my own salsa and use oregano instead, and it kind of tastes awesome (I get asked to bring it to parties a lot, and it never lasts long...so I guess other people like it as much as I do :drinker: )
  • Improvised
    Improvised Posts: 925 Member
    I loooove cilantro. Subbing with parsley is an abomination, Imo. I would just leave it out.
  • NaomiJFoster
    NaomiJFoster Posts: 1,450 Member
    I had the soapy taste thing the first couple times I had Cilantro. Now I can't live without it.

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