This one pan Cilantro Lime Rice could not get any easier and more delicious! While it’s made with just 4 simple ingredients, it doesn’t lack in flavor whatsoever. This is the perfect addition to your next takeout fake-out night!
While rice may seem boring to some, I’m here to introduce you to a simple recipe that will change your tune! This cilantro lime rice is packed with bright, fresh flavor all using simple ingredients, 4 of them to be exact. If you’re looking for a flavorsome addition to amp up your next takeout fake-out night, this is it.
Cilantro Lime Rice
- Easy To Make
- Simple Ingredient List
- Flavorful & Delicious
- One Pot Quick Recipe
This cilantro lime rice is so quick and easy! It requires minimal prep, minimal cleanup and it’s so easy to make, you’ll be blown away! I love the fresh herbaceous flavor of cilantro, and paired with the lime juice, it’s a match made in heaven. Get ready for the fluffiest, most delicious rice around.
Ingredient Notes
- Rice – I like using a long grain rice like Jasmine or Basmati, rinsed well and drained. See “FAQs & Expert Tips” for more info.
- Butter – I always use unsalted to control the sodium. If you use salted butter, you won’t have to use as much salt when seasoning the rice.
- Seasoning – Salt to taste.
- Lime – You’ll want fresh lime since we are using both the juice and zest.
- Cilantro – Fresh, chopped.
How To Make Cilantro Lime Rice
- Cook Rice: Add the rice, water, salt and butter to a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover the saucepan and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Finish & Serve: Remove from heat, and fluff the rice with 2 forks. Stir in the lime juice, lime zest and cilantro. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt as needed.
FAQs & Expert Tips
FAQs
I typically like working with long grain rice, but you can use any type of rice for this! Basmati or Jasmine rice work great, but feel free to use whatever kind is your favorite. Keep in mind that heartier rices will take longer to cook.
If you want to spice up the dish a bit, feel free to incorporate any of your favorite seasonings or spices. You can top the rice with diced tomatoes, green onions, cheese or add some enchilada sauce into the mix for an extra boost of flavor. If you want to add some protein to this dish, feel free!
I loving serving this cilantro lime rice with my tequila lime chicken or cilantro lime chicken! The flavors of course work beautifully together, not to mention pair excellently with a margarita! This recipe makes for an excellent side dish, or filling for burritos, quesadillas, chimichangas etc. It’s a great way to add a little extra oomph to your meals.
Tips
- Basmati long grain rice actually works best with this recipe, more than plain rice.
- Be gentle when fluffing the rice with 2 forks. You just want to fluff it up gently and finally at the end add the lime and cilantro.
- If you love a nutty flavor to your rice, you can brown the rice first in the butter until nice and lightly browned.
- While cilantro is one of the key flavors of the dish, it’s one of those herbs that some people can’t stand. If that’s the case with you, I recommend substituting with fresh parsley or trying my Mexican rice instead.
Storing Leftovers
Be sure to store this cilantro lime rice as soon as it’s cooled as rice is a breeding ground for bacteria. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 – 4 days.
Freezing
If freezing, store the rice in a freezer bag with the air pressed out. Thaw overnight in the fridge and fluff the rice before reheating. Your cilantro lime rice will last up to 3 months in the freezer.
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Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients
- 1½ cups long grain rice like Jasmine or Basmati, rinsed well and drained
- 3 cups water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon butter unsalted
- 2 tablespoon lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- ½ cup cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Cook Rice: Add the rice, water, salt and butter to a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover the saucepan and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Finish & Serve: Remove from heat, and fluff the rice with 2 forks. Stir in the lime juice, lime zest and cilantro. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt as needed.
Recipe Notes
- Basmati long grain rice actually works best with this recipe, more than plain rice.
- Be gentle when fluffing the rice with 2 forks. You just want to fluff it up gently and finally at the end add the lime and cilantro.
- If you love a nutty flavor to your rice, you can brown the rice first in the butter until nice and lightly browned.
- While cilantro is one of the key flavors of the dish, it’s one of those herbs that some people can’t stand. If that’s the case with you, I recommend substituting with fresh parsley or trying my Mexican rice instead.
- Be sure to store this cilantro lime rice as soon as it’s cooled as rice is a breeding ground for bacteria. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 – 4 days.
- If freezing, store the rice in a freezer bag with the air pressed out. Thaw overnight in the fridge and fluff the rice before reheating. Your cilantro lime rice will last up to 3 months in the freezer.
It says 4 ingredients and it’s clearly 7.
Water and salt usually don’t count, so it’s rice, lime, butter and cilantro. 🙂
Can this be done in the One Pot Rice cooker?
Yes, but make sure to stir it once in a while and take the pot out from the cooker so it doesn’t burn on the bottom and fluff it up right after that. Let us know how it turns out for you!