Cilantro: the herb we simply can’t get enough of. There’s no such thing as garnishing your fish tacos with a few sprigs. And when you’re looking to jazz up your queso, that’s easy — just add cilantro! But despite those strong cilantro *feels,* many of us think of cilantro as ONLY a summer herb. In the fall, we turn our attention to deeply flavored herbs like rosemary and sage, and totally brush our love for cilantro aside. But the truth is that cilantro is still totally fresh and plentiful this time of year, so give it some love this season and brighten up your dark fall days with these 16 delightful dishes.
1. Cilantro Chili Lime Pulled Pork Sliders: Throw all of your favorite flavors into a mini sandwich with these bright and tasty sliders. Tender pulled pork is left to simmer in a crockpot filled with beer, lime juice, cilantro and spices, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth goodness — perfect for football Sunday! (via Cake ‘n’ Knife)
2. Coconut Lime Chicken: This creamy one-pan chicken looks super indulgent, but it’s what healthy dreams are made of. It’s Whole30-approved, dairy-free and Paleo, and you only need a handful of ingredients (including a healthy dose of our favorite herb) to make it happen. AH-mazing. (via A Saucy Kitchen)
3. Roasted Root Vegetable Salad: It’s fall, and roasting vegetables is *just* as anticipated as squash soups and meaty stews. These hearty and colorful roasted roots are tossed in a cilantro dressing to create a salad that can easily serve as an entree. (via A Spicy Perspective)
4. White Chicken Chili: Though white chili isn’t common, that doesn’t mean it’s not just as nourishing and comforting as its tomato-based counterpart. This lighter version offers a punch of protein and fiber thanks to chunks of chicken and cannellini beans. Throw a fistful of fresh cilantro on there and you’re in heaven. (via With Love and Cupcakes)
5. Grape Salsa With Lime and Cilantro: Yes, you read that correctly — grape salsa. This is such a refreshing spin (thanks to the fresh fruit and cilantro) on a classic, and it’s versatile too. Though this salsa is great for chip-dippin’, it also makes a great topper for chicken or fish. (via Flavour and Savour)
6. Autumn Crunch Quinoa Salad With Lime Dressing: When you hear the words “autumn crunch,” you probably think granola, nuts and spices. This autumn crunch, however, is the furthest thing from that. It’s still full of nutrients thanks to the quinoa and fresh herbs, but it’s also bright and exhilarating. You won’t be able to put your fork down. (via Eat Well 101)
7. Thai Chicken Pizza: No matter the season and no matter what the ingredients, pizza is *always* a grand choice. This bright and flavorful pie incorporates Thai flavors and is topped with generous amounts of cilantro for added freshness. (via Viktoria’s Table)
8. Pressure Cooker Green Chile Pork Carnitas: If you’re craving tender pork carnitas and don’t have the patience to wait for them to simmer in a slow cooker, it’s cool — that’s what pressure cookers are for! You’d never know this moist and flavor-packed pork didn’t spend the day slow-cookin’. (via Kitschen Cat)
9. Hatch Pork Chile Verde: Everyone goes bananas over hatch chiles when they’re in season, and it’s because they’re AH-mazing. It’s also pretty convenient that they show up at the cusp of comfort food season *and* that they pair pretty well with our favorite summer-turned-fall herb. With that in mind, it makes perfect sense to throw together a tantalizing pork stew with those bad boys. (via Four to Cook For)
10. Cilantro Lime Rice: If you really love cilantro, sometimes it’s nice to keep things simple so you can enjoy the refreshing herb in all its glory. This rice dish allows you to do just that. All you need is a pot, rice, cilantro, lime juice and butter — easy peasy! (via Rasa Malaysia)
11. Sweet Potato Noodles With Jalapeño Lime Dressing: Sweet potatoes are a fall staple, hands down. But instead of slathering them in a sweet and syrup-y glaze, try freshening them up with lime, jalapeño and mountains of cilantro. (via Abra’s Kitchen)
12. Mexican Street Corn: We’ve been exposed to so many Mexican street corn recipes this summer, it’s kind of hard to shake the idea. We want MORE. This off-the-cob version allows for so many options; eat it as a side or toss it over a creamy dip. (via Recipes Worth Repeating)
13. Brussels Sprouts, Momof*cku-Style: If you’ve read David Chang’s Momof*cku book, then you already know his Brussels Sprouts are good enough to convert haters; you also know that the recipe for them is doable at home. The best part, though, is that cilantro is essential to make this dish an absolutely irresistible one. Up your game this fall and show your family that you too can cook like a highly praised restaurateur. (via The Tart Tart)
14. Huevos Rancheros Breakfast Nachos: Okay, look — we’re big on healthy breakfasts and all, but sometimes you have to start the day by treating yourself, and this nacho platter is the *only* way to do it. Call your friends and plan a brunch ASAP, because you need this platter and you need it fast. Don’t worry — the cilantro topping is NOT optional. (via Little Kitchen, Big World)
15. Chickpea Salad: Chickpeas are a great way to get your dose of protein and fiber, so you can never have enough chickpea salad recipes. But if you run out of ideas on what to do with them, they can get boring real fast. This salad is tangy and herbaceous, and perfect for brightening up your fall meals. (via Kitchen Confidante)
16. Turkey and Rice Stuffed Poblano Peppers: Stuffed peppers are the best peppers — so it goes without saying that you need these stuffed poblanos in your life and on your table. Cheese and tomatoes add comfort, while cilantro and the other greens freshen things up. (via The Rustic Foodie)
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Dana Sandonato
Born in Canada and now living in the beautiful state of North Carolina, Dana is a coffee-reliant food writer with a healthy appetite, a taste for culinary adventure, a thirst for good beers, and an endless hunger for food photography. When not writing for Brit + Co, she can be found pouring herself into her blog-turned-webzine, Killing Thyme, or taste-testing at local breweries with her husband. Dana's ideal down time includes pizza, marathoning on Netflix, or watching her fave flicks from the 80s and 90s - no matter how great or awful they are!
