Mexican · Quick Meals

Cilantro Lime Rice

Fluffy long-grain rice cooked in oil and finished with fresh lime juice, zest and a big handful of coriander. The burrito-bowl side that goes with almost anything.

Not yet ratedThis recipe has no ratings yet 25 min total Serves 6 servings Easy
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How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice

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  1. Put the rice in a fine sieve and rinse under cold running water for 1 minute, until the water runs almost clear. Drain well.

  2. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan with a tight lid over medium heat. Add the rice and stir for 1 minute until the grains are coated and look slightly translucent.

  3. Add the water and salt, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cover tightly.

  4. Cook for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.

  5. Take the pan off the heat and let it steam, still covered, for 10 minutes.

  6. Fluff the rice with a fork, then gently stir in the lime juice, zest and coriander. Taste and add a pinch more salt if needed.

Tips for Making Cilantro Lime Rice

  • Rinse the rice until the water is clear. The loose starch on the surface is what makes rice clump together.
  • Do not lift the lid while the rice cooks or during the resting time. The steam is doing the cooking.
  • Add the lime and coriander at the end. Both lose their fresh flavour in the heat, and the juice added early can make the rice tough.

Common Substitutions & Variations

  • Lemon is the everyday swap for lime in this kind of dish — the acidity plays the same role even though the flavour is not identical.

What to Serve with Cilantro Lime Rice

  • Chicken fajitas
  • Black beans
  • Fish tacos

Storing & Reheating Cilantro Lime Rice

Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Rice should be cooled quickly, so spread it on a tray before chilling, and reheat it until steaming hot. Freezes for up to 1 month.

Cilantro Lime Rice FAQ: Common Questions

How long does Cilantro Lime Rice take to make?

About 25 minutes in total — 5 minutes of preparation and 20 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 6.

What are the key tips for making Cilantro Lime Rice?

Rinse the rice until the water is clear. The loose starch on the surface is what makes rice clump together. Do not lift the lid while the rice cooks or during the resting time. The steam is doing the cooking. Add the lime and coriander at the end. Both lose their fresh flavour in the heat, and the juice added early can make the rice tough.

What should I serve with Cilantro Lime Rice?

Chicken fajitas; Black beans; Fish tacos.

Can Cilantro Lime Rice be made ahead or frozen?

Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Rice should be cooled quickly, so spread it on a tray before chilling, and reheat it until steaming hot. Freezes for up to 1 month.

Is Cilantro Lime Rice suitable for a special diet?

This recipe is vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.

How many calories are in Cilantro Lime Rice?

About 207 kcal per serving, with 4 g protein, 41 g carbohydrate and 3 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.

Cilantro Lime Rice Nutrition

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

207Calories
4gProtein
41gCarbs
3gFat
1gFibre
0gSugar
270mgSodium

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Written and tested by Turab

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