This quick and easy Cilantro Lime Rice is just as good as Chipotle’s, with the convenience of making it at home. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have this flavorful side dish on the tables in no time at all.
Easy Cilantro Lime Rice
This quick and easy rice recipe is good with so many dishes. I like to serve it with tacos, blackened mahi mahi, or chicken fajitas. Or make your own super yummy burrito bowls with beef birria, black beans, Pico de Gallo, mango salsa, and guacamole.
Cilantro Lime Rice Ingredients
With just a handful of simple ingredients, this has become one of my go-to recipes. For this recipe, you will need long-grain rice, olive oil, minced garlic, kosher salt, lime zest, lime juice, and cilantro.
How to make Cilantro Lime Rice
- Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. I do this in a colander in the sink with the faucet on sprinkle (for lack of a better word) for at least a few minutes. Let the rice drain for a bit, shaking it in the colander several times.
- Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the rice and cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the garlic, cooking for 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly.
- Add the water and salt. Bring the pot to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 13-15 minutes. Check your rice package for cooking times as well, as cooking times for long-grain rice vary slightly.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Keep covered and steam the rice for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Add the lime zest, lime juice, and chopped cilantro and stir with a fork. Season with additional salt to taste.
Recipe tips
- Use long-grain white rice like Basmati or Jasmine.
- Don’t skip rinsing the rice. Besides making sure it is nice and clean, it makes the rice less starchy. This makes the rice less sticky with kernels that separate instead of clumping.
- Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and turn to a fairly low simmer. Keep the pot covered, and do not peek.
- Don’t forget to remove the pot from the heat and let it steam, covered for about 10 minutes.
Storage and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at low power. Or reheat on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of lime juice or water.
What to serve with it
- Chicken Enchiladas
- Beef Enchilada Casserole
- Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
- Beef Birria
- Stuffed Poblano Peppers
- Ground Beef Tacos
- Cuban Picadillo
- Jamaican Jerk Chicken
Try these next
Cilantro Lime Rice
This quick and easy copycat Cilantro Lime Rice is made with eight easy ingredients, and it is the perfect side dish with the fresh flavor of lime and cilantro. It is ideal for all your favorite Mexican and Cuban recipes.
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Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 214kcal
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups long grain or basmati rice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 cups water
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Place the rice in a colander and rinse with cold for about 2 minutes or until the water runs clean. Leave the rice in the colander and let it drain, shaking it ever so often to remove more moisture.
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the rice and cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the garlic, cooking for 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly.
- Add the water and salt. Bring the pot to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 13-15 minutes. Check your rice package for cooking times as well, as cooking times vary a little for long-grain rice.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Keep covered and steam the rice for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Add the lime zest, lime juice, and chopped cilantro and stir with a fork. Season with additional salt to taste.
Notes
- Use long-grain white rice like Basmati or Jasmine.
- Don’t skip rinsing the rice. Besides making sure it is nice and clean, it makes the rice less starchy. This makes the rice less sticky with kernels that separate instead of clumping.
- Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and turn to a fairly low simmer. Keep the pot covered, and do not peek.
- Don’t forget to remove the pot from the heat and let it steam, covered for about 10 minutes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave.
Nutrition
Calories: 214kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 203mg | Potassium: 71mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 49IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 0.4mg
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Rosey
The little tang that you get wtih lime rice is so good. I’ve only had it a few times but it was definitely memorable.
Cat
Mmmmm….. this rice was just amazing! The perfect side dish for your chicken enchiladas recipe! Thank you, Beth!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Cat!
Allyson Zea
I love having this rice in my homemade taco bowls! So flavorful!
Kathryn
This cilantro lime rice was incredible and easy to make! I served it with your chicken soft tacos and we really enjoyed the meal.
Samantha
As much as I do love plain rice, I also love this rice. It has great flavor and it works with so many hispanic and cuban dishes.
Erik
Absolutely fantastic! This is a must try for anyone that loves cilantro and lime!
Melanie
This is my kind of dish. I love cilantro and the lime makes a gorgeous addition to the flavour of the rice.
Beth Pierce
Yes indeed
Shilpa
I usually cook boiled rice more than required quantity at my home. And then use the leftover rice to make lime rice which is so delish.
Beth Pierce
Yes, it really is.
Ebony
I made this recipe today with chicken tacos and my family LOVED it! This recipe is so easy and full of flavor! Can’t wait to make this again!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Eboney! So glad that you liked the rice.
Maria Azanha
Gorgeous recipe!! it’s truly delightful and pairs wonderfully with my grilled salmon, creating an exceptional culinary harmony.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Maria! I am so glad that you liked it.
Melissa
I’m no pro in the kitchen, but your cilantro-lime rice recipe was a game-changer for me. I’d tried lime rice before, but adding cilantro made a world of difference. Thanks for sharing your culinary wisdom!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Melissa! I am so glad that you liked it!
Ntensibe
Ooohhhhh….the only kind of rice I’ve enjoyed outside my normal is fried rice. I am biting my lips and getting ready for the taste of lime on my tongue!
LisaLisa
My daughter makes this type of rice, but I have yet to try it. I might give this recipe a try over the weekend since we love rice so much.
Sonia
This cilantro-lime rice was delicious. I look forward to making it often. It goes great with fajitas.
Debbie
I’m a huge fan of fajitas and this cilantro lime rice would be amazing with it. I’ll be making this on fajita night at my house.
Sam
We love this cilantro lime rice. It really is delicious and goes great with your crock pot pulled chicken tacos. Thank you!