Avocados brings fruit sweetness and acidity that lift cilantro's character and keep the pairing lively.
cilantro
+ Add to WorkbenchAbout this ingredient
One of the most polarizing herbs in the world — its aldehydes read as bright, citrusy, and floral to those who enjoy it, and as soapy or unpleasant to those wi…
58 pairings
Featured in Mexican essentials.
Editorial
Flavor profile
Cilantro's divisive character comes from the (E)-2-alkenals and short-chain aldehydes (especially decanal) in the leaves, which are the same aldehydes found in soap and some insects — explaining both the "soapy" perception in those sensitive to them and the clean, citrusy character in those who are not. Genetic research has identified variants near the OR6A2 olfactory receptor gene as associated with the soap perception. For those who enjoy it, cilantro is irreplaceable in fresh salsas (pico de gallo), chutneys, Thai salads, Vietnamese pho garnish, and Middle Eastern fattoush — the fresh, citrus-herbal note contrasting with bright acid and rich meat. Cooking destroys the volatile aldehydes that define cilantro's character — adding early kills it; add at the last moment for full effect. Cilantro roots (used extensively in Thai cooking) are earthier and more robust, suitable for longer cooking in curry pastes and braised preparations.
Pairings
Flavor relationships
Core pairings
avocados
chile peppers
coconut and coconut milk
cumin
garlic
ginger
lime, juice
scallions
tomatoes
avocados
Avocados brings fruit sweetness and acidity that lift cilantro's character and keep the pairing lively.
chile peppers
Chile peppers adds warmth and aromatic contrast to cilantro's character, giving the pairing more dimension.
coconut and coconut milk
Coconut and coconut milk is a strong partner for cilantro, amplifying cilantro's character while adding a clear complementary note.
cumin
Cumin's earthy, warm depth provides a savoury base that contrasts with cilantro's bright, fresh character—together they define the flavour of Mexican rice, tacos, and Indian chutneys.
garlic
Garlic adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cilantro's character more structure and balance.
ginger
Ginger adds warmth and aromatic contrast to cilantro's character, giving the pairing more dimension.
lime, juice
Lime and cilantro are inseparable in Mexican and Southeast Asian cooking—lime's acidity and citrus oils resonate with cilantro's own citrus-aldehyde notes, creating a bright, herbal finish.
scallions
Scallions adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cilantro's character more structure and balance.
tomatoes
Tomatoes adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cilantro's character more structure and balance.
Chile peppers adds warmth and aromatic contrast to cilantro's character, giving the pairing more dimension.
Coconut and coconut milk is a strong partner for cilantro, amplifying cilantro's character while adding a clear complementary note.
Cumin's earthy, warm depth provides a savoury base that contrasts with cilantro's bright, fresh character—together they define the flavour of Mexican rice, tacos, and Indian chutneys.
Garlic adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cilantro's character more structure and balance.
Ginger adds warmth and aromatic contrast to cilantro's character, giving the pairing more dimension.
lime, juice
Lime and cilantro are inseparable in Mexican and Southeast Asian cooking—lime's acidity and citrus oils resonate with cilantro's own citrus-aldehyde notes, creating a bright, herbal finish.
Scallions adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cilantro's character more structure and balance.
Tomatoes adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cilantro's character more structure and balance.
Pairs well with
basil
beans
bell peppers
boar, wild
braised dishes
butter
cardamom
carrots
chicken
chives
chutneys
corn
cream and ice cream
cucumbers
curries
dill
dips
figs
fish, white
garam masala
greens
lamb
legumes
lemon, juice
lemongrass
lemon verbena
lentils
mayonnaise
meats
mint
onions, red
orange, juice
parsley
pork
potatoes
rice
salads
salsas, mexican
sauces
shellfish
soups
soy sauce
stews
stir-fried dishes
tamarind
vegetables
vinaigrettes
vinegar, red wine
yogurt
basil
Basil gives cilantro's character a fresh herbal lift, keeping the pairing aromatic instead of heavy.
beans
Beans adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cilantro's character more structure and balance.
bell peppers
Bell peppers adds warmth and aromatic contrast to cilantro's character, giving the pairing more dimension.
boar, wild
Boar, wild complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
braised dishes
Braised dishes complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
butter
Butter adds richness and carries the aromatic side of cilantro's character, making the pairing feel fuller and more cohesive.
cardamom
Cardamom adds warmth and aromatic contrast to cilantro's character, giving the pairing more dimension.
carrots
Carrots adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cilantro's character more structure and balance.
chicken
Chicken complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
chives
Chives gives cilantro's character a fresh herbal lift, keeping the pairing aromatic instead of heavy.
chutneys
Chutneys complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
corn
Corn gives cilantro's character a sturdy, comforting base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel complete.
cream and ice cream
Cream and ice cream adds richness and carries the aromatic side of cilantro's character, making the pairing feel fuller and more cohesive.
cucumbers
Cucumbers complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
curries
Curries adds warmth and aromatic contrast to cilantro's character, giving the pairing more dimension.
dill
Dill gives cilantro's character a fresh herbal lift, keeping the pairing aromatic instead of heavy.
dips
Dips complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
figs
Figs brings fruit sweetness and acidity that lift cilantro's character and keep the pairing lively.
fish, white
Fish, white pairs with cilantro's character by adding clean marine umami while keeping the overall flavor delicate.
garam masala
Garam masala complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
greens
Greens adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cilantro's character more structure and balance.
lamb
Lamb reinforces the savory side of cilantro's character, building a deeper and more satisfying base.
legumes
Legumes complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
lemon, juice
Lemon, juice brings acidity that cuts through cilantro's character, making the pairing taste brighter and more focused.
lemongrass
Lemongrass brings acidity that cuts through cilantro's character, making the pairing taste brighter and more focused.
lemon verbena
Lemon verbena brings acidity that cuts through cilantro's character, making the pairing taste brighter and more focused.
lentils
Lentils complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
mayonnaise
Mayonnaise adds richness and carries the aromatic side of cilantro's character, making the pairing feel fuller and more cohesive.
meats
Meats reinforces the savory side of cilantro's character, building a deeper and more satisfying base.
mint
Mint gives cilantro's character a fresh herbal lift, keeping the pairing aromatic instead of heavy.
onions, red
Onions, red adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cilantro's character more structure and balance.
orange, juice
Orange, juice brings acidity that cuts through cilantro's character, making the pairing taste brighter and more focused.
parsley
Parsley gives cilantro's character a fresh herbal lift, keeping the pairing aromatic instead of heavy.
pork
Pork reinforces the savory side of cilantro's character, building a deeper and more satisfying base.
potatoes
Potatoes gives cilantro's character a sturdy, comforting base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel complete.
rice
Rice gives cilantro's character a sturdy, comforting base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel complete.
salads
Salads adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cilantro's character more structure and balance.
salsas, mexican
Salsas, mexican complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
sauces
Sauces complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
shellfish
Shellfish pairs with cilantro's character by adding clean marine umami while keeping the overall flavor delicate.
soups
Soups gives cilantro's character a sturdy, comforting base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel complete.
soy sauce
Soy sauce complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
stews
Stews gives cilantro's character a sturdy, comforting base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel complete.
stir-fried dishes
Stir-fried dishes complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
tamarind
Tamarind brings acidity that cuts through cilantro's character, making the pairing taste brighter and more focused.
vegetables
Vegetables adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cilantro's character more structure and balance.
vinaigrettes
Vinaigrettes complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
vinegar, red wine
Vinegar, red wine brings acidity that cuts through cilantro's character, making the pairing taste brighter and more focused.
yogurt
Yogurt adds richness and carries the aromatic side of cilantro's character, making the pairing feel fuller and more cohesive.
Basil gives cilantro's character a fresh herbal lift, keeping the pairing aromatic instead of heavy.
Beans adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cilantro's character more structure and balance.
Bell peppers adds warmth and aromatic contrast to cilantro's character, giving the pairing more dimension.
boar, wild
Boar, wild complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
Braised dishes complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
butter
Butter adds richness and carries the aromatic side of cilantro's character, making the pairing feel fuller and more cohesive.
Cardamom adds warmth and aromatic contrast to cilantro's character, giving the pairing more dimension.
Carrots adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cilantro's character more structure and balance.
Chicken complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
Chives gives cilantro's character a fresh herbal lift, keeping the pairing aromatic instead of heavy.
chutneys
Chutneys complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
Corn gives cilantro's character a sturdy, comforting base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel complete.
cream and ice cream
Cream and ice cream adds richness and carries the aromatic side of cilantro's character, making the pairing feel fuller and more cohesive.
Cucumbers complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
curries
Curries adds warmth and aromatic contrast to cilantro's character, giving the pairing more dimension.
Dill gives cilantro's character a fresh herbal lift, keeping the pairing aromatic instead of heavy.
dips
Dips complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
figs
Figs brings fruit sweetness and acidity that lift cilantro's character and keep the pairing lively.
fish, white
Fish, white pairs with cilantro's character by adding clean marine umami while keeping the overall flavor delicate.
garam masala
Garam masala complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
Greens adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cilantro's character more structure and balance.
Lamb reinforces the savory side of cilantro's character, building a deeper and more satisfying base.
legumes
Legumes complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
lemon, juice
Lemon, juice brings acidity that cuts through cilantro's character, making the pairing taste brighter and more focused.
Lemongrass brings acidity that cuts through cilantro's character, making the pairing taste brighter and more focused.
Lemon verbena brings acidity that cuts through cilantro's character, making the pairing taste brighter and more focused.
Lentils complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
mayonnaise
Mayonnaise adds richness and carries the aromatic side of cilantro's character, making the pairing feel fuller and more cohesive.
meats
Meats reinforces the savory side of cilantro's character, building a deeper and more satisfying base.
Mint gives cilantro's character a fresh herbal lift, keeping the pairing aromatic instead of heavy.
onions, red
Onions, red adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cilantro's character more structure and balance.
orange, juice
Orange, juice brings acidity that cuts through cilantro's character, making the pairing taste brighter and more focused.
Parsley gives cilantro's character a fresh herbal lift, keeping the pairing aromatic instead of heavy.
Pork reinforces the savory side of cilantro's character, building a deeper and more satisfying base.
Potatoes gives cilantro's character a sturdy, comforting base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel complete.
rice
Rice gives cilantro's character a sturdy, comforting base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel complete.
salads
Salads adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cilantro's character more structure and balance.
salsas, mexican
Salsas, mexican complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
sauces
Sauces complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
Shellfish pairs with cilantro's character by adding clean marine umami while keeping the overall flavor delicate.
soups
Soups gives cilantro's character a sturdy, comforting base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel complete.
Soy sauce complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
stews
Stews gives cilantro's character a sturdy, comforting base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel complete.
stir-fried dishes
Stir-fried dishes complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
Tamarind brings acidity that cuts through cilantro's character, making the pairing taste brighter and more focused.
vegetables
Vegetables adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cilantro's character more structure and balance.
vinaigrettes
Vinaigrettes complements cilantro by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cilantro's character.
Vinegar, red wine brings acidity that cuts through cilantro's character, making the pairing taste brighter and more focused.
Yogurt adds richness and carries the aromatic side of cilantro's character, making the pairing feel fuller and more cohesive.