Cilantro Lime Rice

Fresh and tasty cilantro lime rice is easy to make at home and better than Chipotle’s. Great as a side dish or base for burrito bowls.

Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less. ~Marie Curie

Here’s my chef’s perfected cilantro lime rice recipe! It was a staple in our catering business, and we were constantly bombarded with requests for the recipe. The best part? It is easy to make at home, and it bursts with fresh, zesty flavor!

The secret is in the seasonings: we use fresh lime zest and lime juice to add an extra burst of zesty flavor, along with ground coriander and cumin for earthiness, and onion and garlic for savory depth. It’s so fresh and tasty, pairing well with both Mexican and Asian meals.

With our tips, the rice always turns out perfectly fluffy! We also share a quick cheater version- for when you are in a hurry, no chopping required!

Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe Ingredients

• Rice: Use long-grain white rice, such as basmati or jasmine rice, for the fastest cooking time. See notes for brown basmati rice as the amount of liquid will change as well as cooking time.
• Onion and fresh garlic cloves: to add savory depth. (Or sub garlic and onion powder)
• Extra virgin Olive Oil: to add richness.
• Fresh Limes: We use both the lime zest and the fresh lime juice!
• Herbs: Fresh cilantro (and its tender stems) and sliced green onions
• Spices: ground coriander, cumin, salt, and optional chili flakes

Lime Cilantro Rice Variations

• Make it FASTER! Skip the fresh onion and garlic, and add 1-2 teaspoons of garlic powder and onion powder to the cooking liquid.
• Make it spicy: Sprinkle with finely sliced jalapenos or serrano chilies after cooking, right before serving.
• Make it smoky. Add a teaspoon of smoked paprika to the rice, a pinch of ground chipotle powder, or a tablespoon of minced canned chipotles.
• Add savory depth. Add 1 teaspoon dried oregano and a bay leaf for extra complexity of flavor.
• Hate Cilantro? Sub flat leaf parsley and extra green onions.
• Use Brown basmati rice. (Pictured below) for extra nutrients, and be sure to read the package instructions for increased liquid and cooking time.

How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice

Heat olive oil in a large skillet.

Step 1: Saute the onion and garlic in oil until tender and fragrant.

Step 2: Then add the rice, and saute, coating each grain.

Step 3: Add salt, coriander, cumin and half of the lime zest.

Step 4: Measure out the correct amount of water, bring it to a hard boil, cover tightly, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer (medium-low heat), and cook until the rice is tender and all the liquid is absorbed, about 12-14 minutes. This will take longer with brown rice, so see recipe notes.

Step 5: When the rice is cooked, fluff with a fork and add the lime juice, cilantro, green onions and remaining lime zest. If you like a little spice, you could add some chili flakes if you want.

Step 6: Taste the rice, then season with lime juice and add more salt if needed. Garnish with fresh lime wedges.

What to serve with Cilantro and Lime RicE

• Burrito Bowls
• Grilled Chipotle Chicken
• Chicken Carnitas
• Fish Tacos with Best Fish Taco Slaw!
• Mexican Slaw
• Mexican Corn (Esquites)
• Pinto Beans
• Refried Beans

How to Store Cilantro Lime Rice