Quick Look at How To Make Cilantro Lime Rice
- Ready In: 25 minutes!
- Serves: 4
- Difficult Level: easy, beginner-level
- Main Ingredients: rice, fresh cilantro, lime zest, lime juice, and salt.
- Dietary Info: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
- Best For: easy side dish, base for a rice bowl (like our easy burrito bowls), or in Cilantro Lime Chicken Burritos!
Share and summarize this recipe:
Why You Need To Make This Fresh Side Dish
- Fresh Flavors! Cilantro + lime juice = yes, please!
- Tastes just like the Chipotle cilantro lime rice.
- Super simple side dish → serve with a variety of main dishes.
- Versatile – add to any rice bowl, burritos, tacos, etc.
- Only 4 real, simple ingredients!
Key Ingredients + Substitutions
Be sure to see the recipe card below for a full listing of ingredients, instructions, and estimated nutritional information.
- Rice – highly recommend using long grain white rice, but any rice can be used – brown rice or make cilantro lime cauliflower rice.
- Lime Juice – for best results, use freshly squeezed lime juice but bottled lime juice can also be used (we have many times).
- Cilantro – chop up fresh cilantro, do not use dried cilantro in this recipe.
How To Make Cilantro Lime Rice
Step 1 – Cook the rice according to package directions.
Step 2 – Add the cilantro, lime zest, and salt.
What Kind Of Rice Is Best For Cilantro Lime Rice?
A standard long grain white rice is typically used to make cilantro lime rice in a restaurant. However, the beauty of making recipes at home is that you can use what you have on hand or what you prefer. So, whether you use white rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice to make a cauliflower cilantro lime rice… it is going to be amazing!
Step 3 – Squeeze in the lime juice and toss it all together. Enjoy!
Best Ways To Serve Cilantro Lime Rice
There are a variety of different ways to enjoy the best cilantro lime rice:
- Rice Bowls: perfect base for burrito bowls or steak fajita bowls.
- Burritos or Tacos: enjoy in cilantro lime chicken burritos or grilled steak tacos.
- Side Dish: It would also be an easy side dish to serve with salsa verde chicken, ahi tuna tacos, or our easy chicken enchiladas!
Pro Tips for Serving a Crowd
Begin by making a double or triple batch of the cilantro lime rice, depending on the number of guests. Then toss it all in a slow cooker, cover, and set to the warm setting for everyone to serve themselves.
Cilantro Lime Rice FAQs
This homemade version was inspired by the delicious Chipotle rice, but this one can be adjust to your personal preferences.
This will depend on the type of rice that you use. Simply look at the package to see if they recommend rinsing or not.
Simply place the bunch of cilantro down on the cutting board and start chopping the leafs and more towards the stems. Those smaller, tender stems near the leaves offer great flavor but avoid the larger stems at the base.
Absolutely! Feel free to cook the rice in a pot on the stove top, in a rice cooker, or in an Instant Pot.
Yes, let it cool and transfer to a freezer-safe container or storage bag and freeze for up to 3 months, thaw overnight, and reheat.
Other Side Dishes For Dinner You Might Like
Made this recipe and loved it?!
We would love it if you would take a minute and leave a star rating and review – it is also helpful if you made any substitutions or changes to the recipe to share that as well. THANK YOU!
Follow Us on Social
Ingredients
- 2 cups white long grain rice
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, tightly packed, chopped (additional for garnish, if you desire)
- zest of 1 lime
- 3-4 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Cook Rice: Cook long grain, white rice according to the package instructions (you ultimately want 2 cups cooked rice).
- Combine: Remove from heat and add ½ cup fresh cilantro, zest of 1 lime 3-4 tablespoons fresh lime juice, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Fluff and mix well. Taste and add any additional salt, lime juice and/or cilantro, as desired.
- Serve: Enjoy any way you want!
Notes
- Amount of cooked rice: you ultimately want 2 cups cooked rice, so look at your package instructions to determine how many cups of raw rice you need – our long grain white rice called for 2 cups water and 1 cup rice for 2 cups cooked.
- Lime Juice: 3 tablespoons bottled lime juice equals the juice of 1 medium lime, so feel free to use the zest on the outside and then cut the lime in half to squeeze fresh lime juice into the rice.
- Storage: place in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Or freeze for up to 3 months, thaw overnight & reheat.
Leave a Rating & Comment