Coriander vs. Cilantro: What’s the Difference?

Updated: Apr. 02, 2024

Coriander seeds and Cilantro on cutting board

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You can't use coriander and cilantro interchangeably, but these herbs are different parts of the same plant.

Is there a difference between coriander and cilantro? Yes! Both are herbs from the Coriandrum sativum plant, a familiar plant in kitchen herb gardens. The fresh leaves of the plant are cilantro, while the dried seeds from its flowers are coriander. You use cilantro as a fresh herb, and coriander as a dry one.

What is cilantro?

Fresh Cilantro leaves istetiana/Getty Images

This tender herb has a mild, crisp taste with muted notes of lemon, lime and pepper. Beware, because the flavor of cilantro is divisive! Some people complain that cilantro tastes like soap, though most of us enjoy using it in salads, bowls and other recipes. Though quite different in flavor, consider it as an alternative to parsley. Like other fresh herbs, cilantro can be used for color, texture and taste in both the body of a dish and as a garnish.

Cilantro grows wild in parts of Asia and Europe, though in the United States it’s most likely to be found in an herb planter.

If a cilantro plant is green, growing and leafy, it’s considered cilantro. Once it flowers, goes to seed and dries out, it becomes coriander.

What is coriander?

Coriander seeds close up WatAmore/Getty Images

Coriander is the dried seeds of the cilantro plant. Plants put their energy into producing lots of leaves, but at some point, for their survival, they “bolt.” Bolting means they stop producing leaves, send up flowers and produce seed heads. If allowed to dry, the seeds can be harvested as usable dried herbs.

Coriander seed is earthy, with a smell evocative of mild cumin. Like cilantro, it has notes of citrus, and might be compared to caraway and sage in taste.

Are cilantro and coriander the same?

If your recipe calls for a fresh herb, it will ask for cilantro, referring to the green, leafy herb. If it calls for dry herbs, it will ask for coriander, referring to the seeds, either whole or ground, of the cilantro plant. The exception: In the UK, both leaves and seeds are referred to as coriander. Keep this in mind if you’re following a recipe from across the pond.

In the US, cilantro and coriander are unique herbs, each with a distinct flavor profile, different from almost anything else in the spice family. You’ll find that cilantro is a major component of salsas and green sauces, where even the stem can be used for a crunchy bite. On the contrary, coriander is used in spice mixes for deep, earthy tastes in soups and Indian dishes.

The plant will easily grow indoors and out, is quick to germinate and loves the sun. Readily available in most markets as fresh cilantro and dry coriander, these herbs are always worth having on hand.

Cilantro Recipes from Across the Globe

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Fajita-Style Shrimp and Grits I combined two of my favorite dishes—fajitas and shrimp with cheesy grits—into this spicy one-dish meal. For more heat, use pepper jack cheese instead of a Mexican cheese blend. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois Go to Recipe Not everybody's a fan of this herb. Here's the scientific reason why some people think cilantro tastes like soap.

Halibut Soft Tacos Exps Ft20 48539 F 0521 1 Home 4

Halibut Soft TacosI sometimes serve these halibut tacos wrapped in lettuce instead of tortillas. Either way, the mango salsa tastes amazing with grilled halibut. This warm-weather recipe is quick, colorful and full of nutrients. —Kristin Kossak, Bozeman, Montana