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Whether you’re making burrito bowls or just looking for a zingy rice side, Cilantro Lime Rice is the answer! With herby cilantro and tart lime, it’s so full of vibrant flavor. This cilantro rice recipe is deceptively simple and easy, too, with a short list of ingredients, a small amount of prep, and just 25 minutes from start to finish.
Table of Contents
- Recipe At a Glance
- Ingredients to Make Cilantro Lime Rice
- Popular Substitutions & Additions
- How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice
- Tips for Making the Best Cilantro Rice
- What to Serve With Cilantro and Lime Rice
- How to Store & Reheat Cilantro Lime Rice
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Rice Recipes:
- Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
Long-grain basmati or jasmine rice brings nutty flavor to the table, and adding salt to the rice while it’s cooking helps to highlight that. Then, the zest and the juice of the lime are added, along with a generous amount of fresh herby cilantro, for a bright and fresh-tasting cilantro rice recipe that’s simple and delicious.
Cilantro and lime rice is so versatile, too, lending itself to all kinds of meals! Add it to the base of a burrito bowl or in place of plain rice in your traditional burrito or another Tex-Mex recipe. You can also enjoy this lime rice alongside pan-seared salmon or chicken or simply as a flavorful bed for black beans and steamed broccoli.
Recipe At a Glance
Cuisine Inspiration: American
Primary Cooking Method: Stovetop
Dietary Info: Vegan and gluten-free
Key Flavor: Herby and citrussy
Skill Level: Beginner
Summary
- Short list of ingredients: Just four ingredients (including the salt) needed for this simple yet delicious cilantro rice recipe.
- Easy, fast recipe: It takes just 25 minutes to cook cilantro lime rice from start to finish, and most of that is hands-off time.
- Zingy and bright: With fresh cilantro and zesty lime, this cilantro rice recipe is so full of flavor.
- Versatile: Use it as a side dish with ground beef tacos or with a variety of main dishes and cuisines, or enjoy it as the base of vegetarian burrito bowls.
Ingredients to Make Cilantro Lime Rice
- Rice: I recommend a long-grain white rice for this recipe, such as basmati or jasmine.
- Salt: To enhance the flavors in the dish, I like to add salt to the rice while it cooks so that it can really soak into the rice.
- Lime: Both the zest and the juice for lots of lime flavor.
- Cilantro: The flavor of fresh cilantro pairs so well with the lime!
Popular Substitutions & Additions
- Replace the cilantro with parsley. Fresh parsley can stand in for cilantro in a pinch (or if you aren’t a fan of cilantro). The flavor will be different but still delicious!
- Use another type of rice: Brown rice or parboiled (“minute”) rice will work in place of the long-grain white rice, though I recommend sticking with long-grain white rice if you can. If you opt for brown or parboiled, you’ll want to go by the package directions for cooking time.
- Cook the rice in broth for an added flavor note: While not necessary, cooking the rice in vegetable broth is a great way to add even more flavor.
- Swap the citrus: Lemon zest and juice are also delicious in this cilantro rice recipe.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice
- Add the rice, salt, and water to a medium pot, and place it on your stovetop. Bring it to a boil, then cover with a lid.
- Lower the heat and allow the rice and water to simmer together, removing it from the heat for the last few minutes of cooking time.
- Fluff the rice with a fork to loosen the grains.
- Stir in the lime juice, zest, cilantro, and additional salt, to taste.
Tips for Making the Best Cilantro Rice
- Rinse your rice. Place rice grains in a large fine-mesh sieve and rinse thoroughly under water until the water runs clear. This step is essential; it removes the starches so that your cilantro and lime rice is fluffy, not sticky or clumpy.
- Zest the lime before juicing. It’s so much easier to zest a whole lime vs. a lime that’s already been halved and juiced!
- Zest only the green part of the rind. Use a light touch when zesting your lime, removing only the very outer layer. If you zest too deeply, you can get the bitter pith, too.
- If making ahead of time, cool and refrigerate lime rice within an hour. To cool it quickly, spread it on a baking sheet before transferring it to an airtight container and refrigerating.
What to Serve With Cilantro and Lime Rice
How to Store & Reheat Cilantro Lime Rice
Transfer leftover cilantro lime rice to an airtight container and refrigerate within one hour of cooking it. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments until thoroughly warmed to at least 165°F.
How Long Will Cilantro Lime Rice Last in the Fridge?
Cilantro lime rice will last up to four days in the refrigerator.
Can I Freeze Lime Rice?
Yes! Place cooked rice into a freezer bag or airtight container and transfer to the freezer. It will keep well for up to six months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and heat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a bit of water to help rehydrate the rice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Just follow your rice cooker instructions, then add the lime juice, lime zest, the cilantro, and any additional salt after cooking your rice in the cooker.
For food safety reasons, rice shouldn’t be kept at room temperature for long periods of time. In addition, when it’s reheated, you should always check to make sure it’s reached a temperature of at least 165°F before eating.
Yes! Just keep in mind that the brown rice will bring more of an earthy flavor to the dish, and it might take longer to cook (check your package instructions).
Cilantro lime rice is so full of vibrant flavor and is the easiest rice side dish ever! With just one pot, only four ingredients, and 25 minutes from start to finish, it’s sure to be a recipe for your keeper files. Whether you use it for burrito bowls or serve it alongside your favorite protein, you’ll love this cilantro lime rice recipe!
More Rice Recipes:
- Lebanese Rice
- Creamy Risotto
- Basmati Rice
- Tomato Rice Pilaf
- Crispy Persian Rice (Tahdig)
- Lemon Rice
- Turmeric Rice
If you try this feel good Cilantro Lime Rice recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. We would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!
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Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice rinsed
- ¼ teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 lime zest and juice
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- In a medium pot, bring the water to a boil. Add salt and rice and return to a boil. Lower the heat to low, cover with a lid and cook for 15 minutes without opening the lid. Then turn the heat off.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Allow the rice to rest covered for 5 minutes in order to absorb all the liquid and steam.
- Uncover the rice and fluff with a fork to separate the grains. Fold in the lime zest, lime juice, cilantro, and additional salt to taste, and serve.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
