This easy Cilantro Lime Rice is perfect for your next burrito bowl or taco night, this recipe can be made using a rice cooker or stovetop. It's versatile and perfect for any meal.
🥰 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: With minimal prep and cooking time, you'll have this homemade rice ready in no time.
- Versatile: Perfect for pairing with various Mexican dishes, from tacos to Chipotle inspired burrito bowls.
- Fresh and Flavorful: The combination of fresh cilantro and lime juice gives this rice a refreshing and vibrant taste that will give you a break from plain rice.
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Ingredients & Substitutions
Long Grain White Rice – Used to get that fluffy rice texture. You can use other types of rice, but they will have different cooking times and water requirements. Check the packaging for those measurements.
Olive Oil - Adds a subtle flavor and helps to cook the rice evenly.
Salt – Start with ½ teaspoon of table salt. You can add more salt after cooking if it's needed.
Lime- Fresh lime juice will give your rice the best flavor. You can also use half of a fresh lemon to get that citrus taste.
Cilantro- Only use fresh cilantro. Dried cilantro won't provide the same flavor or texture.
Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below
How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice
Stovetop
- Combine the rice, water, salt, and olive oil in a medium saucepan with a lid. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then cover and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 20 minutes (or follow the cooking time on your rice package).
- Uncover and fluff with a fork. Mix in the lime juice and cilantro. Stir to combine and season more if needed.
Rice Cooker
- Combine the rice cooker's bowl with the rinsed rice, water, salt, and olive oil. Close the lid and set the rice cooker to the appropriate setting for white rice. Start the cooker.
- Once the rice cooker has finished its cycle and switched to "keep warm," fluff the rice with a fork. Mix in the lime juice and cilantro. Stir to combine and season more if needed.
Tips
Don't Skip Rinsing: Rinsing the rice is essential for removing excess starch, which helps prevent the rice from becoming sticky.
Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh lime juice and cilantro are key to achieving the best flavor.
Common Questions
If your rice isn't fully cooked, add more water and continue cooking until tender. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
For the best results, use long-grain white rice. Other types of rice may require different cooking times and water ratios. Look at the directions on the packaging for that information.
Leftover Cilantro Lime Rice can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To prevent drying out, reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water.
Cilantro Lime Rice (Rice Cooker & Stovetop)
Ingredients
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 1 ⅓ to 2 cups water
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- juice from ½ a lime
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
Stove top
- Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming sticky.
- In a medium saucepan with a lid, combine the rice, 2 cups of water, olive oil, and salt.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, cover and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 20-25 minutes (or follow the cooking time on your rice package). If the rice isn't fully cooked or the water hasn't been completely absorbed, let it cook for a few more minutes until done.
- Uncover and fluff with a fork. Mix in the lime juice, and cilantro.
Rice Cooker
- Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming sticky.
- In the bowl of your rice cooker, combine the rinsed rice, 1 ⅓ cup of water, olive oil, and salt. Close the lid and set the rice cooker to the appropriate setting for white rice.
- Once the rice cooker has finished its cycle and switched to "keep warm," fluff the rice with a fork. Mix in the lime juice and cilantro.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.
What to Serve With Cilantro Lime Rice
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