This Cilantro Lime Rice has a fresh and citrusy flavor thanks to the freshly squeezed lime juice and cilantro. Jasmine rice adds fragrance, making this fluffy side dish delicious.
Table Of Contents
Recipe Details
Jasmine rice is one of my favorites, so this Cilantro Lime Rice dish is a sure winner. I love the way the fresh cilantro and lime work together for a tasty side dish that I think goes with just about anything. And it’s easy to make while getting the rest of the meal put together, so that’s another win!
- TASTE: Citrusy, a little tangy, garlicky, and with a bright, fresh flavor, this Cilantro Lime Rice is good enough to eat on its own.
- TEXTURE: The rice is super fluffy and tender, without being moist or crunchy. Creamy butter and small flecks of cilantro only make it better.
- TIME: It takes just over 30 minutes to make.
- EASE: This recipe is so easy to make. I’ll walk you through how to easily make stovetop rice with amazing flavor.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Rice- I used jasmine rice because it’s fragrant and flavorful. But other rice types can be used, though long grain rice is best.
- Oil- Olive oil is good here and adds a little flavor and helps the salt stick.
- Butter- Gives the finished rice a rich flavor.
- Garlic- Fresh cloves bring the best flavor, but pre-minced garlic also works.
- Cilantro- Fresh cilantro is a must. It has a very fresh flavor that is also citrusy, making it a great accompaniment to the limes. Be sure to remove the stems and only use the leaves.
- Fresh limes- Lime zest and lime juice are used to flavor this delicious rice dish.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Add some spice- Toss a little cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or diced jalapenos in for some heat.
- Substitute the cilantro- If you have no cilantro, you can use fresh parsley or basil as the closest alternative. While coriander comes from the same plant, it tastes totally different.
- Add scallions- These green onions have a mild onion flavor that goes great with the garlic.
- Substitute the rice- Try this with any long grain white rice, brown rice, basmati rice, or wild rice.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice
- Clean the rice. Place the rice into a fine-mesh sieve and rinse it with water under the sink until the water runs clear.
- Drain completely. Then place the colander on top of a plate to catch the remaining drippings of water.
Pro Tip: Use either your hands or a spatula/rice paddle to move the rice around, dislodging any dirt and excess starch more thoroughly.
- Season the rice. Place the rice into a medium-sized pot and add in the oil and garlic. Stir for about a minute to lightly brown the rice.
- Mix with clean water. Then add in the water and salt and give it a quick stir.
- Cook the rice. Bring the rice to a rolling boil, then cover with the lid and cook on low for about 15.
- Let it rest. Turn off the heat and let the rice rest for another 10-15 minutes.
- Add the rest of the ingredients. Now fluff up the rice with a fork and stir in the butter, lime zest, lime juice, and chopped cilantro. Serve hot.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t use short grain rice- Shorter grains are great for things like sushi, where you want the rice to stick together. But here, long grain is the way to go.
- Clean the rice- Thoroughly clean the rice to get rid of any dirt in it. This also drains out some of the starch so the rice doesn’t get gummy.
- Add the cilantro at the end- You don’t want to cook the cilantro because this will cause it to lose color and get slimy. Add it at the end for bright flavor and color.
- Fluff the rice- Rice can get stuck together while it rests, so fluffy it up with a rice paddle or fork to separate the grains.
FAQs
While this type of rice became popular thanks to Chipotle, it’s lone been a favorite in Mexico and other parts of Latin America.
Yes, you can use lemon in place of the lime in this rice recipe. Although lemons tend to be sweeter and not as sharply tangy as limes, they will still bring the bright citrusy flavor that you want.
Serving Suggestions
This Cilantro Lime Rice recipe is as tasty as Chipotle’s and super easy to make. You can pair it with tacos and burritos, proteins, and vegetables.
- Tacos, Burritos, or Burrito Bowls: Serve this alongside Baked Chicken Tacos, Flank Steak Tacos, Fish Tacos, or Breakfast Burritos (VIDEO). Add some Guacamole and Pico de Gallo for extra flavor.
- Meats: Pair this Cilantro Lime Rice with Grilled Ribeye Steak, Smoked Chicken Thighs, Smoked Pork Chops, and Chicken Cutlets. Add some Chimichurri Sauce on top!
- Seafood: Serve Pineapple Salmon, Pan Fried Cod with Sautéed Vegetables, Crab Stuffed Mushrooms, and Oven Baked Salmon over a bed of this rice.
- Vegetables: Pair it with some Grilled Vegetables, Grilled Corn Salsa, Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli, or Bacon Wrapped Asparagus.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: You can make this rice dish ahead of time and let it sit and rest while you work, before adding the cilantro and other flavorful ingredients. Or you can refrigerate it and then serve later.
Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, place the rice in a microwavable container and add a little water. Cover with a paper towel and microwave until warm. The steam from the water will soften the rice, which can dry out in the fridge.
Freeze: Let the rice cool before freezing it in a freezer-safe ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat.
More Tasty Rice Dishes!
Full Recipe Instructions
Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 cup jasmine rice
- 2 cloves garlic pressed or zested
- 2 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- Zest of 1 lime
- 3 Tbsp lime juice fresh
- 1 cup lightly packed cilantro
Instructions
- Place the rice into a fine-mesh sieve and rinse it with water under the sink until the water runs clear.
- Then place the colander on top of a plate to catch the remaining drippings of water.
- Place the rice into a medium-sized pot and add in the oil and garlic. Stir for about a minute to lightly brown the rice.
- Then add in the water and salt and give it a quick stir.
- Bring the rice to a rolling boil, then cover with the lid and cook on low for about 15.
- Turn off the heat and let the rice rest for another 10-15 minutes.
- Now fluff up the rice with a fork and stir in the butter, lime zest, lime juice, and chopped cilantro. Serve hot.
Nutrition
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