Recao (culantro)
A long serrated leaf herb, stronger than cilantro and in the same aromatic family. It is the ingredient that gives Puerto Rican sofrito its recognizable flavor. Market stalls sell it in bunches and it holds up to cooking far better than cilantro.
Example
When an island recipe calls for culantro and you only have cilantro, the result is close but loses its backbone.
Best tours and tickets
Curated from Viator. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
San Juan Guided Turtle Snorkel Tour and Complimentary Videos
★★★★★ 4.9 · 18,453 reviews
From $39View tour
Top Rated El Yunque Rainforest & Waterslide - SmallGroup Tour
★★★★★ 4.9 · 16,427 reviews
From $45View tour
Half-Day Yunque Rainforest Waterslide & rope swing Guided Tour
★★★★★ 4.8 · 8,008 reviews
From $25View tour
Related terms
Food
Sofrito
A raw aromatic base blended in advance and kept on hand to start almost any stew: sweet aji peppers, onion, garlic,...
Food
Asopao
A soupy rice halfway between stew and soup, usually with chicken or seafood, built on sofrito, annatto and olives. It...
Food
Sazón con achiote
A spice blend built on annatto that turns rice, stews and fritters that familiar orange. Annatto is the seed that...
Food
Mofongo
The signature dish of Puerto Rican cooking, made from fried green plantain mashed in a wooden mortar with garlic, oil...
Frequently asked questions
Is culantro the same as cilantro?
No. They are different plants with a similar aroma. Culantro has long serrated leaves and a much stronger flavor.
Where do I buy it on the island?
At municipal markets and any large supermarket, sold in bunches next to the cilantro.
