Here’s how to prepare airy cilantro lime rice featuring lime zest, juice, and fresh herbs. This side dish reminiscent of Chipotle enhances every burrito bowl!
If you are whipping up a burrito bowl, tacos, or enchiladas, this is my favorite accompanying dish: this simple Cilantro Lime Rice recipe! Incorporating cilantro, lime juice, and lime zest into plain rice takes it to a whole new dimension.
The serving possibilities are limitless: incorporate it into burrito bowls (Chipotle style!), tacos, or pair it with grilled shrimp skewers. Its versatility means I’ve made it countless times. Truly, no meal is complete without a bit of cilantro lime rice!
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How to Create Cilantro Lime Rice
This cilantro lime rice recipe is quick and straightforward: it just involves a few extra measures to boiling up a pot of rice. But for the flavor it introduces, you’ll want to prepare it this way each time! It transforms a pot of rice from bland to delightful. Here are the fundamental steps:
1. Cook the rice. It all starts simply! Use any long-grain rice.
2. Incorporate salt and garlic powder, then steam for 10 minutes. Take the rice off the heat. Quickly uncover and mix in garlic powder and salt, then cover and allow it to steam. This aids the seasonings to infuse while the rice steams.
3. Mix in chopped cilantro, lime juice, and lime zest. Then uncover and fold in the cilantro and lime! Using both juice and zest saturates the entire pot with zesty flavor.
When to Incorporate Cilantro and Lime into Rice
You should add the cilantro and lime only after cooking and steaming the rice. This is crucial because cilantro is quite delicate. If you boiled it with the rice, it would lose all its flavor and turn mushy.
Lime zest and juice also lose their vibrancy if boiled, thus it’s best to add them at the end for maximum flavor impact.
White Rice or Brown Rice?
In our view, white rice delivers the best flavor for cilantro lime rice. However, if you favor brown rice, there are some health benefits to choosing brown rice over white. You can use either! Here’s what to keep in mind:
– Always use long grain rice. Short grain doesn’t yield the ideal texture for this style of rice.
– Brown rice can be made with the same instructions: simply cook it for 45 minutes instead of 15!
How to Prepare It in a Rice Cooker or Instant Pot
This recipe can also be made in a rice cooker or Instant Pot! Here’s how:
– Rice cooker: Add 1 cup long grain white rice and water up to the 1-cup line, then cook on the white rice setting. Once it switches to warm, mix in the salt and garlic powder and close the lid for 10 minutes. Then open and fold in the cilantro, coconut oil, lime juice, and zest.
– Instant Pot: Rinse 1 cup long grain white rice and place it in the pot with 1 cup water. Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes, then allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Stir in the salt, garlic powder, cilantro, oil, and lime.
Suggestions for Serving Cilantro Lime Rice
Here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy this delicious rice:
Make Ahead, Storage & Reheating Guidelines
Cilantro lime rice can be prepared in advance; store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place it in a pan on the stovetop, add a few tablespoons of water, and cook over medium heat until warmed through. A splash of fresh lime juice can also revitalize the flavors.
You can freeze cilantro lime rice for up to 3 months, although the cilantro may darken once frozen and thawed. Add fresh cilantro when serving!
Dietary Information
This cilantro lime rice recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
Easy Cilantro Lime Rice
Here’s how to prepare airy cilantro lime rice with lime zest, juice, and fresh herbs. This side dish reminiscent of Chipotle enhances every burrito bowl!
Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4
Category: Side Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Mexican
Diet: Gluten-Free, Mediterranean Diet, Vegan, Vegetarian
Ingredients:
– 1 cup long grain white rice
– ½ teaspoon kosher salt
– ½ teaspoon garlic powder
– ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro
– 1 tablespoon coconut oil
– 2 tablespoons lime juice