Why does cilantro taste like soap? The answer may be in our DNA.
This Is Why Some People Hate Cilantro
Updated on Jan. 21, 2025
Plenty of debate swirls around this herb. People either love cilantro and use it in everything from salmon to salad dressing, or they can’t stand the taste of it. For some, cilantro tastes like soap, dirt, crushed bugs or metal shavings.
Before you join the I Hate Cilantro club and publicly announce an aversion to cilantro, you may want to learn why you don’t like it.
The Oxford Companion to Food notes that the word coriander is said to derive from the Greek word for bedbug. (If a cilantro plant is green and leafy, it’s considered cilantro. Once it flowers, it becomes coriander.) It adds that the cilantro aroma “has been compared with the smell of bug-infested bedclothes” and that “Europeans often have difficulty in overcoming their initial aversion to this smell.”
Why does cilantro taste like soap?
Research seems to confirm that your DNA plays a large part in this. 23andMe asked 50,000 customers if they liked the taste of cilantro and whether they thought it had a soapy taste. Then, researchers compared answers to the DNA of participants. A common genetic variation was found among the cilantro haters!
Another study by the group confirmed that one’s background and culture might play a role. The study found that 14 to 21% of people of East Asian, African and Caucasian ancestry disliked cilantro, while only 3 to 7% of South Asians, Hispanics and Middle Easterners disliked it. Perhaps that’s no surprise because cilantro is a popular ingredient in these regions.
If you enjoy cilantro, good for you! Its dark-green leaves contain antioxidants, essential oils, vitamins (folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, vitamins A and C, beta-carotene) and dietary fiber. Cilantro puts pep in your step while adding explosive flavor to soups, sauces, marinades, salads and homemade guacamole.
If you simply can’t warm up to cilantro, other options exist. One common substitute is parsley, which is similar to cilantro but more mild in flavor.
Recipes to Make If You Love Cilantro
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
Not everybody's a fan of this herb. Here's the scientific reason why some people think cilantro tastes like soap.
Halibut Soft TacosHalibut fish tacos—sitting atop lettuce and tortillas and dressed with mango salsa—make a warm-weather meal that's quick, colorful and full of nutrients. Add any taco toppings you like.
Mexican Street Corn ChowderCorn is one of my all-time favorite vegetables, so when it's in season, I always make this super easy soup in the slow cooker. —Rashanda Cobbins, Food Editor, Taste Recipes
Tangy Cilantro Lime Confetti SaladI love standout salads that burst with flavor—the kind that make you feel as if you're splurging without having to eat that piece of chocolate cake. This is one of my very favorites, and everyone I serve it to loves it as well. —Jasey McBurnett, Rock Springs, Wyoming
Psst! Learn how to grow your own cilantro indoors so you always have it fresh and on hand.
Mojito Pulled PorkThis fork-tender pulled pork tastes fabulous on a bun, or in a wrap or tortilla. My kids like it spooned over rice in its citrus-flavored juices. —Mindy Oswalt, Winnetka, California
Quick Cilantro ChickenIf you’re a fan of cilantro, you’ll definitely like this chicken dish. The cilantro adds herbal flavor, melding with the tangy lemon juice and caramelized onions. —Mary Pipkin, Melba, Idaho
Open-Faced Breakfast Banh MiI love banh mi sandwiches because of the delicious pickled veggies. I also love naan, so I combined the two for a fun morning dish! We make these breakfast banh mi on the weekend. —Lori McLain, Denton, Texas
Chili VerdeThis chile verde recipe is one of my family's favorites. We enjoy it any time of year, but it's especially good on a cool and rainy day. —Sherrie Scettrini, Salinas, California
Peppered Cilantro RiceThis colorful confetti rice is a traditional dish in Puerto Rico. We enjoy it in the summer alongside grilled shrimp kabobs, but it is good with most any entree.
-Laura Lunardi of West Chester, Pennsylvania
Shrimp Tostadas with Lime-Cilantro SauceShrimp tostadas, with their pile of fresh vegetables and succulent shellfish on crispy edible "plates," look fun and taste amazing as a weeknight dinner or party spread.
Frito PieCrunchy, salty Fritos corn chips are the star ingredient of Frito pie. Make this cheesy Tex-Mex favorite for dinner or game day.
Spicy Sweet Potato Chips & Cilantro DipThis irresistible combo could become your new signature snack food. Park the spicy baked chips next to a bowl of the cool, creamy dip and let the gang have at it. What a fantastic twist on traditional chips and dip! —Elizabeth Godecke, Chicago, Illinois
Cilantro-Lime ChickenA bright cilantro-lime chicken marinade soaks bone-in chicken thighs in flavor before they're slow-cooked till they're fall-apart tender.
Southwestern Pasta SaladI created this southwestern pasta salad for a friend who owns a catering business. I was told it was a hit at her events and it's now among the most-requested dishes. —Valonda Seward, Coarsegold, California
Turkey Enchiladas VerdesPlanning a fiesta night? These authentic-tasting enchiladas in spicy green sauce will please the whole family and you’ll be thankful for turkey leftovers. —Karyn Power, Arlington, Texas
Peppy Peach SalsaGarden-fresh salsas are one of my favorite condiments. So when I saw a recipe for peach salsa in the newspaper, I couldn't think of anything that sounded better. —Jennifer Abbott, Moraga, California
Lime and Dill Chimichurri ShrimpChimichurri is a very popular condiment in Argentina and Uruguay and is most often used as a dipping sauce or a marinade for meats. My chimichurri shrimp version incorporates dill and lime, which give it a brighter flavor, making it ideal for spring and summer entertaining. —Bonnie Landy, Castro Valley, California
Spiced Grilled Chicken with Cilantro Lime ButterThis grilled chicken gets a lovely pop of color and flavor from the lime butter—don't skip it! —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
Chimichurri SteakThis flavorful chimichurri steak recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes. Spoon the bright, zesty, herbaceous sauce over any type of grilled steak, like flat iron, top sirloin, ribeye, flank or skirt steak.
Vegetarian Pad ThaiWith this vegetarian pad thai recipe, you can make a sweet-and-tangy Thai takeout classic at home.
Southwestern GoulashI had some extra cilantro in the fridge and didn't want to throw it away. Instead, I came up with this delightful and filling family recipe. Everyone just loved it! —Vikki Rebholz, West Chester, Ohio
Jicama Citrus SaladNever tried jicama? It is a crunchy Mexican turnip, and I love to use it in this super easy salad. The jicama is ideal alongside the vibrant flavors of the tangerines and shallots. Between the sweet and sour flavors in this salad and its crunchy texture, it's all delish if you ask me. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Orange-Glazed Chicken & Chorizo MeatballsThese tasty southwestern meatballs warm up a buffet. I add pomegranate seeds, jalapeno pepper jelly and cilantro to make everything pop with color. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Cilantro Ginger CarrotsPeppery-sweet ginger and cooling cilantro have starring roles in this colorful side of crisp-tender carrots. The veggie goes from pan to plate in a twinkling. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Cilantro-Avocado Tuna Salad SandwichesLime juice and cilantro in tuna salad – who knew? This recipe for avocado tuna salad came to me as a way to have a protein-packed meal with lots of pizzazz. —Heather Waldorf, Black Mountain, North Carolina
Grilled Flank SteakThis grilled flank steak recipe is a family favorite. It uses a four-ingredient marinade that's savory, lemony, garlicky and finishes with a hint of sweetness. Here's how to grill flank steak that's perfectly tender and infused with unforgettable flavor.
Cilantro-Lime Chicken SandwichesYou can use any type of bread or roll for this sandwich. We like the ciabatta, but have used other breads and rolls, whatever I might have handy. You can also pan fry the chicken if you can't get to a grill.—Debbie Speckmeyer, Lakewood, California
Cilantro-Lime RiceMy family's favorite Mexican restaurant serves a similar rice as a side dish. I threw this together one night when I was making fajitas, and everyone loved it! It's such an easy side dish and pairs well with kabobs on the grill, too. —Robin Baskette, Lexington, Kentucky
Mexican Breakfast CasseroleThis versatile and tasty Mexican breakfast casserole is ideal for a slow Sunday brunch with friends. Add a side of mimosas for extra fun.
Buttermilk DressingThis restaurant-style buttermilk dressing is similar to a classic ranch and dresses up basic green salads, pasta salads and potato salads.
Watermelon and Spinach SaladSummer's the perfect time to toss up this watermelon salad. You'd never expect it, but spinach is awesome here. Eat it and feel cool on even the hottest days. —Marjorie Au, Honolulu, Hawaii
Quinoa and Black BeansQuinoa and black beans is a tasty dish that's also a great source of protein. It's simple to make and perfect for meal prepping because it lasts for a few days in the fridge and freezes well.
Sesame Cilantro ShrimpOn days when I don't feel like spending much time in the kitchen, I reach for shrimp. I can have a hot meal in the table in 10 minutes. —Tami Penunuri, League City, Texas
Radish, Carrot & Cilantro SaladBright carrots and radishes pop in this citrusy salad. My husband likes it with anything from the grill. I like to pile it on tacos. —Christina Baldwin, Covington, Louisiana
Garlic Tomato BruschettaI drew inspiration from my grandma’s recipe for this garden-fresh bruschetta. The crisp bread and tomato goodness make a great party appetizer, but the dish also works alongside your favorite Italian entree. —Jean Franzoni, Rutland, Vermont
Shrimp GazpachoHere’s a refreshing take on the classic chilled tomato soup. Our twist features shrimp, lime and plenty of avocado. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Cilantro Lime ShrimpA quick garlicky lime marinade works magic on these juicy shrimp. They come off the grill with huge flavors perfect for your next cookout. —Melissa Rodriguez, Van Nuys, California
Cilantro Beef TacosWhen I have leftover steak, it’s time to make cilantro tacos. Set out bowls of toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, avocado and salsa. That’s a fiesta. —Patti Rose, Tinley Park, Illinois
Cauliflower CevicheMy 87-year-old mom showed me how to make this delicious vegetarian recipe that tastes so much like seafood ceviche. I often serve it with crackers on the side. —Beatriz Barranco, El Paso, Texas
