I’ve shared many rice dishes on this blog, but Cilantro Lime Rice stands out as a simple, flavorful side that brings fresh Mexican flavors to your table. Made with long-grain rice, like basmati or jasmine, cooked on the stovetop until fluffy and mixed with lime juice and cilantro, it’s perfect with tacos, roasted meats, seafood, or any Mexican dish.
What You’ll Find On This Page
I know meal planning can be tough, especially for family dinners, and sometimes you want to make it quick. That’s where this Cilantro Lime Rice shines. It’s easy to cook in under 30 minutes and pairs with almost anything. If you have time and want to explore, you can customize it by adding beans, veggies, or a spicy kick with jalapeños to suit your taste.
Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a special occasion, this rice is always a hit at home. I’ll walk you through the simple stovetop method using just a few ingredients, similar to a popular pick in many restaurants and fast-food chains that focus on Tex-Mex cuisine.
Explore More Basic Rice Recipes:
Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
The ingredients for making this Cilantro Lime Rice are simple and probably already in your kitchen. Let’s take a quick look at what you’ll need below!
- Basmati Rice: You can use basmati for its long grains and fragrant flavor, but jasmine rice works just as well if you like a similar texture and taste.
- Cilantro Leaves: Add plenty of cilantro to give the rice a fresh, slightly citrusy flavor that really makes it stand out.
- Lime Juice and Zest: Fresh lime juice and zest bring a tangy, citrusy taste that ties everything together nicely.
- Garlic: Use freshly minced garlic to add a warm, garlicky flavor that boosts the overall taste of the rice.
- Olive Oil: I suggest using olive oil to add a light, fruity flavor. Butter works too if you want a richer taste.
- Water: You can cook the rice in water, or try using vegetable or chicken broth for extra flavor.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice at Home?
Let’s make this flavorful Cilantro Lime Rice on the stovetop! I’ll guide you through each step, from preparing the lime zest oil to cooking fluffy basmati rice and mixing it with freshly chopped cilantro. I’ve also shared photos and a helpful video to make it even easier. So, let’s get started!
Enjoy a Variety of Seasoned Rice Recipes:
- Mexican Rice
- Coconut Rice
- Yellow Rice
- Saffron Rice
- Hainanese Chicken and Rice
- One Pot Chicken and Rice
- Fried Rice
- Rice Pilaf
- Risotto
Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients
For Lime Zest Oil
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Lime Zest
Other Ingredients
- 1 cup Basmati Rice
- 1 ½ cups Water
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp Lime Juice
- ½ cup Cilantro Leaves, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- 2 tbsp Oil, for sauteing
Instructions
Making Lime Zest Oil
- Start by adding olive oil to a small bowl, then mix in the grated lime zest. Stir well until the zest is evenly distributed. Let the mixture sit while you prepare the rice, allowing the lime zest to infuse its flavor into the oil. You’ll add this to the cooked rice at the end for a burst of citrusy aroma.
Preparing Rice
- Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This step removes excess starch, which helps keep the rice from getting sticky as it cooks. It results in fluffy, separated grains. While I haven’t soaked the rice here, you can soak it for 15 minutes if you have time—this will make it even fluffier.
Making Cilantro Lime Rice
- In a pan over medium heat, pour in the oil and add the minced garlic. Sauté until it becomes fragrant, keeping a close eye to avoid burning, as burnt garlic can affect the flavor in a way we don't want.
- Add the rinsed rice to the pan and sauté for about a minute, or until a nutty aroma develops. This step releases the rice's natural fragrance, and the light toasting helps keep the grains separate as they cook.
- After toasting, pour in the water and add salt to taste. Bring it to a rapid boil until you see bubbles forming in the center.
- Reduce the heat to low and cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid. Let the rice cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the water is absorbed. Keeping the lid on helps trap steam, which is important for making the rice fluffy. Try not to lift the lid during cooking, as it can interfere with the process.
- After the cooking time is up, turn off the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for at least 5 minutes. This allows the rice to absorb any remaining moisture from the heat, making it fluff up nicely.
- Finally, open the lid and add the lime zest oil, lime juice, and freshly chopped cilantro. Mix everything well so the flavors are evenly distributed. Your delicious Cilantro Lime Rice is now ready to enjoy!
Serving
- Serve this Cilantro Lime Rice with your favorite grilled or roasted meats, seafood, or alongside your go-to Mexican dishes. For more pairing ideas, check out the Serving Suggestions section below!
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Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Choose the Right Rice: I recommend using long-grain rice like basmati or jasmine for the best texture. Aged rice is even better, as it has less moisture and cooks up fluffier with separated grains. You can usually find "aged" noted on the package. Trust me, using aged rice helps avoid that mushy texture!
- Use the Right Water Ratio: I suggest using a 1:1.5 ratio of rice to water for basmati rice. This ratio always gives you fluffy, separated grains. Stick to it for perfect results. If you're using jasmine rice, feel free to check out my post on how to cook it!
- Use Fresh Produce: Using freshly minced garlic, grated lime zest, freshly squeezed lime juice, and cilantro really brings out the best flavors. Since these are the key ingredients, I recommend going with the freshest ones whenever possible for the best taste.
- Add the Cilantro and Lime Last: Always add the lime zest oil, lime juice, and cilantro at the very end. This way, you keep the flavors fresh and vibrant, and the cilantro stays nice and green. Adding them too early can make the cilantro wilt and lose its brightness.
- Use the Right Pan: A wide, heavy-bottomed pan makes a big difference when cooking rice. It helps the heat spread evenly and prevents sticking or burning at the bottom. If you have one, it’s definitely worth using it!
- Customize to Your Taste: While I keep this recipe mild, you can easily add some heat if you like things spicy. Toss in some freshly chopped jalapeños or a sprinkle of chili flakes for an extra kick. Feel free to adjust the spice level to suit your taste!
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
Serving Suggestions
Cilantro Lime Rice is a versatile side dish that goes well with many main courses. Here are some of my top picks for pairing this rice with a delicious meal:
- Grilled, Roasted, or Baked Meats: This rice works great with roasted chicken—whether it’s thighs, breasts, wings, or drumsticks. It also pairs nicely with pan-seared steak or roasted pork for a hearty meal.
- Tacos: For a Mexican-inspired meal, serve the rice with beef, chicken, fish, shrimp, or veggie tacos. It’s a flavorful and filling combination.
- Burritos or Burrito Bowls: Use the rice as a burrito filling along with beans, salsa, guacamole, and your choice of meat, or create burrito bowls for a healthy, satisfying meal.
- Fajitas: Pair this rice with beef or chicken fajitas. Its fresh flavors balance the smoky, spiced meat and sautéed peppers perfectly.
- Seafood: This rice goes beautifully with seafood like grilled shrimp, baked salmon, tilapia, or your favorites, for a delicious seafood meal.
- Other Mexican or Tex-Mex Dishes: It’s also a great match for enchiladas, quesadillas, tamales, and chili—whether beef, chicken, turkey, or vegetarian. It adds a comforting touch to any dish!
- Salads: You can pair the rice with a light salad, like a Mexican corn salad or a simple avocado and tomato salad. The fresh flavors of the salad go well with the rice.
- Roasted Vegetables: Serve the rice with roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or asparagus. The smoky taste of the veggies matches perfectly with the zesty rice for a healthy, vegetarian option.
- Soups and Stews: Cilantro Lime Rice is great as a side for hearty soups or Mexican-style stews like pozole or tortilla soup.
Storage Suggestions
This cilantro lime rice tastes best when served warm, right after you make it, so you can fully enjoy its fresh flavors. If you have leftovers, just store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. When you're ready to eat it again, simply reheat in the microwave until it's warmed through.
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