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A wooden bowl filled with cilantro lime rice, topped with slices of lime, and garnished with fresh cilantro.

The Best Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe

Author: Jessica Haggard
This is the only cilantro lime rice recipe you’ll ever need. Made with simple ingredients like long-grain white rice, fresh cilantro, and tangy lime juice, this flavorful side dish is the perfect complement to tacos, burrito bowls, grilled meats, and more. It comes together in just 25 minutes, perfect for busy days!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 203 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 cup white rice long-grain
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice approximately 1 lime
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup cilantro finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Rinse the rice in a fine mesh strainer under cold water until it runs clear. Shake it off and set aside.
  • Fill a small sauce pot with water, rice, oil and salt. Mix well and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Continue cooking uncovered until most of the water is absorbed into the rice and it is cooked through.
  • Remove the pot from heat, cover, and let it rest for 10 minutes.
  • Mix in the lime juice and cilantro just before serving. Garnish with additional cilantro and lime wedges as desired.

Video

Notes

  • If using broth instead of water, adjust the salt since some broths are already salty.
  • If you prefer a richer, creamier texture, stir in a little butter or a drizzle of coconut milk to the mix.
  • Toss in chopped green onions or a handful of diced tomatoes for extra freshness or diced jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a kick of heat. A sprinkle of crumbled cheese and a topping of toasted nuts are ideal, too!
  • After cooking, let the rice sit covered for 10 minutes to absorb any remaining moisture and become perfectly fluffy.
  • Once the rice is cooked, use a fork to fluff it instead of stirring, which can make it mushy.
  • Cover the pot with a clean kitchen towel after cooking to trap steam and keep the rice warm without overcooking it. 
Serve: Serve alongside your favorite protein mains; excellent with beef and fish.
Store: Place leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. To reheat, gently warm in a pan over low heat with water or broth, stirring frequently. Thaw frozen rice in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Nutrition

Calories: 203kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 3gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 587mgPotassium: 125mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 71IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 0.4mg
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