Cilantro Lime Rice

Cilantro lime rice goes perfectly with any Mexican-inspired menu! A few simple ingredients take boring white rice to a new flavor-packed level.

Cilantro lime rice in a gray skillet garnished with chopped cilantro.

A great side dish with pork, chicken, fish, or beef!  This is our copycat version of the famous Chipotle rice recipe.

Why You’ll Love This

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!

Key Ingredients

  • Rice – We use long grain white rice in this cilantro rice.
  • Liquids – We use vegetable stock but you can certainly try chicken stock. Or even water.
  • Seasonings – Fresh lime juice, lime zest, and fresh cilantro.

Variations

  • Add some protein by tossing in a small can of black beans. Drain, rinse, and warm the beans.
  • Use cauliflower rice to make it cilantro lime cauliflower rice. Cook the cauliflower rice and simply stir in the cilantro, lime juice, and lime zest.
Sauteed onions, garlic, and rice in a dutch oven.

How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice

Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Saute the onion until it’s translucent. Add the long-grained rice, garlic, and salt. Saute until the rice becomes slightly translucent.

Cilantro Lime Rice - stock added to toasted rice

Stir in the vegetable stock, cover, and bring to a boil. 

Reduce heat to low and continue to simmer until water is absorbed for about 20 minutes.

Cilantro Lime Rice - Perfect with any Mexican inspired menu! A few simple ingredients take boring white rice to a new flavor-packed level. A great side dish with pork, chicken, fish, or beef.

Remove the cooked rice from heat and fluff. Stir in lime zest, fresh lime juice, and cilantro.

Sprinkle a little extra chopped cilantro on top to garnish if desired.

Cilantro Lime Rice - Perfect with any Mexican inspired menu! A few simple ingredients take boring white rice to a new flavor-packed level. A great side dish with pork, chicken, fish, or beef.

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!

Storing

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 air-tight 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.

Can you freeze cilantro lime rice?

Absolutely! Rice freezes well. Let it cool, place it in a freezer safe container or bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

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More Side Dish Recipes

Cilantro lime rice in a gray skillet garnished with chopped cilantro.

Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe

Perfect with any Mexican inspired menu! A few simple ingredients take boring white rice to a new flavor-packed level. A great side dish with pork, chicken, fish, or beef.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: rice, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 128kcal
Author: Leigh Harris

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 510mg | Potassium: 48mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 227IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg

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3 Comments

  1. 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!5 stars

5 from 2 votes

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