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Home » Recipes » Rice Side Dishes

Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe

Published: Aug 16, 2022 Modified: Aug 25, 2023 by Isabel

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My Cilantro Lime Rice recipe is an easy rice dish loaded with zesty lime juice and the sharp herbal flavors of cilantro! This is a perfect side dish to serve with any of your favorite protein or vegetable combinations. Ready in under 30 minutes using simple ingredients, you will want to make this rice as a side dish for so many meals!

cilantro lime rice in a black bowl with a wooden spoon
Jump to:
  • Lime Cilantro Rice
  • Cilantro Rice Recipes FAQs
  • Cilantro Rice Ingredients
  • What is the best rice for cilantro rice?
  • How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice
  • Lime Cilantro Rice Recipe Tips
  • What to Serve with Cilantro Rice
  • Can I freeze cilantro lime rice?
  • How to Reheat Cilantro Rice
  • Easy Rice Side Dishes
  • 📌 Pin it for later!
  • Easy Cilantro Lime Rice

Lime Cilantro Rice

If you catch yourself behind me in line at Chipotle, you are going to hear me ask for extra cilantro rice in my burrito bowl. Chipotle lime rice is so good, I knew I had to come up with my own to make at home!

My cilantro rice recipe is a fantastic family-style side dish perfect for taco night, barbecues, or Tex-Mex-inspired dinners! You are not going to believe how easily my recipe for cilantro rice elevates traditional rice into something fun and festive.

Tangy lime juice pairs deliciously with fluffy rice, and creates an excellent bedding for all the savory flavors it supports. I love how this recipe takes on the flavors of whatever you serve with it! Cilantro rice pairs so well with:

  • Enchiladas
  • Tacos
  • Beef or chicken birria
  • Burritos
  • Burrito bowls
  • Fajitas
  • Seafood, especially shrimp
  • Street Corn

The list goes on! I hope you enjoy this easy lime rice recipe as much as my family and I do.

cilantro lime rice on a wooden spoon

Cilantro Rice Recipes FAQs

What is cilantro lime rice?

Cilantro lime rice is an easy side dish made from steamed rice, lime juice, lime zest, fresh cilantro, and salt. It is a side dish used in many types of cuisines, including Tex-Mex, Mexican, Indian, Thai, and Chinese dishes.

How long does cilantro rice last?

Cilantro lime rice is best when left covered in the refrigerator for up to 6 days.

Is cilantro rice gluten-free?

As it is written, my recipe for cilantro lime rice is a gluten and grain free side dish. As always, be sure to check each ingredient for proper food handling and allergy instructions.

Can I use dried cilantro to make cilantro rice?

Dried cilantro will not have the same aromatic qualities as fresh cilantro, and it can change the overall flavor of the dish. For this recipe, I suggest using fresh cilantro instead of dried.

Can I leave out the cilantro?

If you don't enjoy cilantro, you can leave it out of this dish entirely and enjoy lime rice on its own. If you like, I recommend adding some parsley as a substitute for a bit of herby flavor in the rice.

Are coriander and cilantro the same thing?

Coriander and cilantro are very similar because they both come from the same plant. Generally, in the US, cilantro refers to the stem and leaf of the plant while coriander refers to the dried seeds. Internationally, the word cilantro is less recognized. For this recipe, fresh cilantro (the leaf and stem) work best.

Cilantro Rice Ingredients

  • Water
  • Basmati brown rice
  • Kosher salt
  • Lime zest and juice
  • Cilantro
cilantro lime rice ingredients

What is the best rice for cilantro rice?

For my cilantro lime rice, I like to use brown basmati rice because it is long-grained rice with excellent texture. I also like the way basmati rice takes on the flavors of whatever I am adding to it (in this case, fresh lime and cilantro!).

This is the type of recipe where many varietals of rice will work. Here are a few of my favorites:

  • Jasmine Rice
  • Long-Grained White Rice
  • Whole Grain Brown Rice
  • Cauliflower Rice

As a general note, I would not suggest Arborio rice (this is typically used to make risotto and is too creamy) or instant rice (it doesn't absorb as easily).

How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice

  1. Bring water to a boil in a small pot on the stove top. Reduce heat and add the rice and salt. adding rice into a boiling pot of water
  2. Cover and simmer on low for about 20 minutes or until the rice is tender and the water has been absorbed.covering rice
  3. Zest half of a lime into the rice. Add lime zest, lime juice and cilantro to the rice and stir.adding cilantro to rice
  4. Serve immediately and enjoy!cilantro lime rice in a pan

Lime Cilantro Rice Recipe Tips

  • For extra fluffy rice, always use a fork to stir steamed rice. A wooden spoon or spatula will only make the rice sticky and clump it together.
  • I like to make rice on the stove top, but feel free to make this using a rice cooker or with an Instant Pot. Simply make the rice and then stir in the cilantro, lime zest, and lime juice!
  • If you are not a fan of cilantro, you can substitute fresh parsley. It won't have the same flavor profile as cilantro rice, but parsley and lime is just as delicious! I have served it this way plenty of times.
  • When cooking rice, always wait for the water to evaporate in the bottom of the pan before you stir or fluff your rice. If this means additional cooking time, no worries! Just keep an eye on your rice until it is ready.

What to Serve with Cilantro Rice

My favorite way to serve cilantro lime rice is by using it as an addition to tacos, burrito bowls, enchiladas, and fajitas! This is also the perfect side dish to serve in a big platter right on the middle of the table! Here are some main course I like to serve with my cilantro rice:

  • Beef Enchiladas
  • Steak Quesadillas
  • Mexican Corn Casserole
  • Fajita Vegetables
  • Shrimp Rice Bowl

Can I freeze cilantro lime rice?

It is so easy to freeze cooked cilantro lime rice. Here's what I do:

  1. After the cilantro lime rice has cooked, allow it to come to room temperature or refrigerate for a few hours before handling it.
  2. Place the rice in an airtight, sealed container or freezer bag.
  3. For every 1 cup of rice you are freezing, add 2 tablespoons of vegetable broth (or whichever type of broth you prefer) to the container with the rice. This will help protect the rice grains for the harshness of the freezer, and it makes reheating so much easier!
  4. Label and date the outside of the container or freezer bag.

Cooked rice is good in the freezer for up to 1 month.

How to Reheat Cilantro Rice

If you are reheating rice from the refrigerator, place the rice in a microwave safe bowl and reheat on high at 10 second intervals until heated through. You can also gently reheat rice on the stove top (usually on medium-low) for about 10 minutes.

To reheat rice from the freezer, allow the rice to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Since there is already liquid mixed into the rice (it will have absorbed all of the flavors while freezing) simply place the rice in a medium sauce pan and reheat over medium-low until all the liquid is re-absorbed. 10-15 minutes.

Because some of the flavors can lose their intensity while freezing, I like to revamp my rice by adding a small pad of butter, fresh squeeze of lime juice, and some fresh cilantro if I have any on hand.

cilantro lime rice in a black bowl with a wooden spoon and lime wedges

Easy Rice Side Dishes

  • How to Cook Rice
  • How to Cook Rice in the Microwave
  • Instant Pot Rice
  • Beans and Rice Recipe
  • Cauliflower Rice Recipe

Try more of the best side dishes. For a side that pairs deliciously with cilantro rice, try Chunky Guacamole!

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cilantro lime rice in a black bowl with lime wedges on top

Easy Cilantro Lime Rice

Isabel Laessig
Learn how to make cilantro lime rice in under 30 minutes using simple ingredients! Perfect for tacos, burritos, fajitas, and so much more.
4.86 from 7 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 3 people
Calories 271 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large pot
  • 1 kitchen knife
  • 1 Cutting board

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ¼ cups water
  • 1 cup basmati brown rice uncooked
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ lime zested
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice
  • ½ cup chopped cilantro

Instructions
 

  • Bring the water to a boil in a small pot on the stove top. Reduce heat and add the rice and salt.
    2 ¼ cups water, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 cup basmati brown rice uncooked
    adding rice into a boiling pot of water
  • Cover and simmer on low for about 20 minutes or until the rice is tender and the water has been absorbed.
    covering rice
  • Zest half of a lime into the rice. Add lime zest, lime juice and cilantro to the rice and stir.
    1 teaspoon lime juice, ½ cup chopped cilantro, ½ lime zested
    adding cilantro to rice
  • Serve immediately and enjoy!
    cilantro lime rice in a pan

Video

Notes

  • For extra fluffy rice, always use a fork to stir steamed rice. A wooden spoon or spatula will only make the rice sticky and clump it together.
  • I like to make this recipe on the stove top, but feel free to make this using a rice cooker or with an Instant Pot. Simply make the rice and then stir in the cilantro, lime zest, and lime juice!
  • If you are not a fan of cilantro (and it's okay if you're not) you can substitute fresh parley. It won't have the same flavor profile as cilantro rice, but parley and lime will still create a delicious herbal combination.
  • When cooking rice, always wait for the water to evaporate in the bottom of the pan before you stir or fluff your rice. If this means additional cooking time, no worries! Just keep an eye on your rice until it is ready.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 271kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 5gFat: 0.4gSaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 787mgPotassium: 82mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.3gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 1mgIron: 3mg
Keyword cilantro lime rice, cilantro lime rice recipe, lime cilantro rice
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  • Author
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Isabel
Isabel
Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!
» About Me
Isabel
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About Isabel

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» About Me

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cynthia says

    October 01, 2022 at 10:24 pm

    5 stars
    So simple and delicious! I am normally not a huge fan of cilantro but I was surprised at how good this was! Definitely recommend.

    Reply
    • Em says

      October 03, 2022 at 3:40 pm

      That is so awesome to hear, Cynthia! Thank you so much, we're glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

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