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A bowl of cilantro lime rice garnished with lime slices and chopped cilantro on a light-colored tablecloth.

Cilantro Lime Rice

This Cilantro Lime Rice isn't just a side dish, it's a blank canvas for creativity! Use it as a base for bowls loaded with your favorite toppings, tacos, or add it to salads for a flavor and texture explosion.
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Cook Time: 25 minutes
Rest: 5 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Asian, Mexican
Keyword: cilantro lime rice
Servings: 6
Calories: 539kcal
Author: Mandy Applegate

Equipment

  • Saucepan with a lid

Ingredients

For the Cilantro Lime Rice

  • 1 cup rice Long grained, rinsed and drained
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 3 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil divided
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • ½ cup cilantro finely chopped
  • 1 ½ tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • ¼ teaspoons salt
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

For the Cilantro Lime Rice

  • Add rice, water, and one teaspoon of olive oil to a lidded saucepan. Bring to a boil and cover; reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer according to your rice packet instructions, approximately 18 - 20 minutes. Once cooked, take it off the flame and keep it covered for 5 minutes.
    1 cup rice, 1 ½ cups water, 3 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Uncover the saucepan; using a fork, fluff the rice up, and add lime zest, garlic, the remaining olive oil, cilantro, lime juice, and salt, and stir to combine thoroughly.
    1 teaspoon lime zest, 1 clove garlic, ½ cup cilantro, 1 ½ tablespoons fresh lime juice, ¼ teaspoons salt
  • Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • Rinsing Matters: Rinse your rice thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch. This simple step ensures the grains stay separate and fluffy.
  • Cilantro Freshness: Use fresh cilantro for the best flavor. Chop it finely, as the smaller pieces blend better with the rice.
  • Lime Zest & Juice: Adjust the lime zest and juice to suit your taste. If you prefer a more citrus-forward flavor, don’t hold back on the lime!
  • Oil Variations: Although olive oil adds richness, you can experiment with other oils like avocado or coconut for different flavor profiles.
  • Garlic Intensity: Mince your garlic finely or use a garlic press to evenly distribute its flavor. For a stronger taste, consider sautéing the garlic in olive oil before mixing it in.
  • Rice Type: This recipe works well with long-grain rice varieties like jasmine or basmati, but feel free to use brown rice for a nuttier taste. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Nutrition

Calories: 539kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 1443mg | Potassium: 1026mg | Fiber: 19g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 2257IU | Vitamin C: 95mg | Calcium: 182mg | Iron: 7mg
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