Cilantro Lime Rice
Cilantro lime rice goes perfectly with any Mexican-inspired menu! Long-grain white rice, fresh lime juice, lime zest, and cilantro take boring white rice to a new flavor-packed level.
Why You’ll Love This
A great side dish with pork, chicken, fish, or beef! This is our copycat version of the famous Chipotle rice recipe.
This cilantro lime rice recipe comes together in a snap! It is a fresh, bright-tasting side dish that goes with just about anything.
Cilantro lime rice is naturally vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and low fat!
We use this rice in our Baked Chicken Chimichangas and Vegetarian Burritos.
Some of our other favorite Mexican dishes to make are Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole, Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken, Borracho Beans, and Chili Relleno Casserole.
Cilantro Lime Rice Ingredients
Please see the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients, measurements, and instructions.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice
Cilantro Lime Rice Serving Suggestions
- Serve and enjoy as a simple side dish with your favorite Mexican or Asian dinner.
- Serve with a protein of your choice or as a side with tacos or burritos.
- You can even use it in burritos, chimichangas, or burrito bowls. Use it to stuff poblanos or add it to stir fry!
Tips
- Rinse the rice before cooking to remove excess starch for light, separate grains.
- Use long-grain white or basmati rice for the best texture and subtle flavor.
- Use chicken broth or water instead of vegetable stock.
- Let the rice rest covered for 5–10 minutes after cooking so it finishes steaming.
- Cook it in a rice cooker as instructed. Fluff gently with a fork to prevent clumping before adding flavorings.
Variations
- Add some protein by tossing in a small can of black beans. Drain, rinse, and warm the beans.
- Use cauliflower rice to make cilantro lime cauliflower rice. Cook the cauliflower rice and simply stir in the cilantro, lime juice, and lime zest.
FAQs
Let the rice cool completely, but don’t leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Rice is known to be a breeding ground for bacteria due to moisture. Place the lime rice in an airtight container, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat the rice by adding a little bit of water and microwave using 30 second intervals until hot. Or on the stovetop, over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Yes! Let it cool, place it in a freezer safe container or bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
More Mexican Recipes
Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/3 cup onion, diced
- 1 cup long grain white rice (dry)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups vegetable stock (or chicken stock, water)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Heat a large saute pan, or pot, with a lid over medium heat. Add oil, and onion. Cook over medium heat, until onion, starts to soften and becomes translucent.
- Add the rice, garlic, and salt. Saute until the rice becomes slightly translucent.
- Stir in the vegetable stock, cover and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and continue to simmer until water is absorbed about 15-20 minutes.
- Remove from the heat.
- Fluff the rice. Stir in lime juice, lime zest, and chopped cilantro.Serve immediately.
Holy cow this is awesome stuff! Great with fish, pork, chicken, whatever. I may have snuck some leftovers out to work for lunch; shhhhhh.
Dang, you guys rock!
Thanks so much!
Mexican is our favorite food. This rice sounds amazing! Need to make it for Taco Tuesday. ;-D