This Cilantro Lime Rice uses minimal and tasty ingredients and is the perfect side dish or base to any of your favorite Mexican-themed meals!
If I have to pick one of my most favorite side dishes ever it has to be this Cilantro Lime Rice. It is so good and is absolutely easy to make, and who doesn’t love easy?
The flavors in this rice are beyond delicious and it is a common recipe that is used in taco chains that you can easily make at home in no time at all.
We make this recipe quite a bit, especially when it’s taco Tuesday and we are looking for a side to go with our meal for the night, this always becomes our default.
I always have rice on hand and most of the ingredients for this Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe so it’s always a no-brainer that I’m going to make it.
The flavor combinations in this play really well together and it’s nice and fluffy and just the perfect texture to do with what you like!
Some of our other favorite rice recipes we have on our site include Sausage Dirty Rice Recipe, Zucchini Rice Casserole and Teriyaki Chicken Fried Rice.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- With easily available and pantry staple ingredients, it is easy to throw together.
- It goes great with a variety of different meals.
- You can double this recipe depending on how many people you are serving.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (FULL RECIPE BELOW):
water
white rice
butter
cilantro
lime juice
lime zest
salt
pepper
See how minimal those ingredients are? That is one of the best parts about this rice, minimal ingredients but big on flavor, but not overpowering.
You can absolutely control the lime flavor by adjusting the amount of lime juice and zest in this as well, if you love lime add more if you only like a little add less.
There is no complete science to this recipe, it is more of a taste as you go type of deal where you can adjust to your liking and I love that!
HOW TO MAKE CILANTRO LIME RICE:
- Place water in a small saucepot. Bring the water to a boil and add the rice. Stir the rice a few times to distribute through the water, cover, and place the heat on low. Cook for 20 minutes and remove from heat. Leave the top on and let stand for 5 minutes on the countertop.
- Add the butter, cilantro, lime juice, lime zest, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Two steps are all you need for this recipe! I mean how much easier can you get, you have to make this Cilantro Lime Rice! It is literally our favorite Mexican-inspired side dish.
Some of our other favorite side dishes we love serving with our Mexican meals include:
Whatever your favorite side is you can make it, but I highly suggest this Cilantro Lime Rice! Easy, tasty, and addictive.
WHAT CAN I USE THIS RICE IN?
This rice itself can be used in a lot of things and not just as a side dish. We have used it in burritos, taco bowls, tacos, tostadas, etc.
Like I mentioned before it is a really good base to use as a starter for a recipe itself or in various recipes, we usually make burritos the most with it when we don’t just eat it plain.
HOW TO STORE:
This can be stored in an airtight container or ziptop bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
This can also be frozen! Prepare as directed and then let cool completely, transfer to a freezer container or bag and it should keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Let defrost in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the microwave before serving.
TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Use long-grain white rice for this, do not use instant rice.
- We like using fresh lime juice, but bottled will work in a pinch.
- This can be frozen, see my tips above.
- Cilantro Lime Rice is very versatile and can be used in various dishes such as tacos, burritos, or just as a side dish.
- You can easily double this recipe depending on how many people you are serving.
- Adjust the lime flavor to your liking, add more lime juice, and zest if you love lime or less if you like a little less potency.
If you want a delicious recipe that goes great as a side dish or in many different recipes then you need to try my Cilantro Lime Rice!
If you like this recipe you might also like:
- Easy Taco Mexican Pasta Recipe (One Pot Meal)
- Smoky Chipotle Mexican Street Corn
- Stuffed Pepper Soup
If you’ve tried this CILANTRO LIME RICE let me know in the comments how it turned out! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
- 1 teaspoon lime juice fresh squeezed
- Zest of 1 lime
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Place water in a small saucepot. Bring the water to a boil and add the rice. Stir the rice a few times to distribute through the water, cover, and place the heat on low. Cook for 20 minutes and remove from heat. Leave the top on and let stand for 5 minutes on the countertop.
- Add the butter, cilantro, lime juice, lime zest, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Notes
- Use long grain white rice for this, do not use instant rice.
- We like using fresh lime juice, but bottled will work in a pinch.
- This can be frozen, see my tips above.
- Cilantro Lime Rice is very versatile an can be used in various dishes such as tacos, burritos or just as a side dish.
- You can easily double this recipe depending on how many people you are serving.
- Adjust the lime flavor to your liking, add more lime juice and zest if you love lime or less if you like a little less potency.
Comments & Reviews
AnnMarie says
I am so in love with cilantro lately that this recipe came along in perfect time! I have a huge bunch in my fridge right now and this is so simple to make. Sounds delicious!
Luisa says
This sounds tasty! I always love getting this when out at restaurants, but I’ve never made it myself. I’m def pinning for later! Visiting from WUW! Hope you have a great night!
Kristina & Millie says
Ooohh that sounds fun and zesty. What a great way to liven up a meal! Thanks for linking up to Snickerdoodle Sunday.