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How to make the best homemade cilantro lime rice at home. This fluffy and flavorful cilantro lime rice is the perfect Mexican side dish recipe.
If you’ve ever been to popular Mexican-inspired restaurants like Chipotle or Cafe Rio, you’ve most like tried cilantro lime rice. This is one of those recipes that I can’t believe that I haven’t shared on Modern Honey yet. I have been making delicious cilantro lime rice for years for my family and it is so good on its own or paired with so many Mexican dishes.
I will be sharing the secrets of crafting the best cilantro lime rice at home, including essential ingredients, the science behind making rice, and tips for achieving fluffy perfection. I always like to layer flavors in my cooking and even a simple ingredient like rice can taste extraordinary. I can eat a whole bowl of this cilantro lime rice on its own!
Whenever we make Chicken Burrito Bowls, we always use this easy cilantro lime rice recipe.
Cilantro Lime Rice Ingredients:
This cilantro lime recipe calls for only 7 ingredients and is so easy to make!
- Long-grain white rice: Opt for long-grain varieties like Basmati or Jasmine for their fluffy texture and subtle flavor. My personal favorite rice to use is the Golden Star Jasmine Rice.
- Fresh cilantro: This popular herb used in Mexican dishes adds a burst of freshness and color to the rice.
- Lime juice: The tangy citrus flavor of lime juice balances the richness of the rice.
- Salt: Rice is very bland on its own and needs salt to enhance the overall flavor of the rice.
- Butter: This is what is used to saute the onion in and it adds a rich, buttery flavor to the rice. I like to add a little extra butter when serving the cilantro lime rice.
- Onion: This is one of my go-to ingredients when making homemade cilantro lime rice. It adds so much depth and warm flavors to the rice.
- Garlic: You can use minced fresh garlic or substitute garlic powder when making this rice.
Tips for Cooking Perfect Rice:
Achieving perfectly fluffy cilantro lime rice begins with properly cooked rice. Here are some tips to help you master this essential step:
- Rinse and Drain: Before cooking, rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming sticky.
- Water Ratio: Use the correct ratio of water to rice. For long-grain white rice, the typical ratio is 1:1.5 or 1:2 (one part rice to one and a half or two parts water).
- Don’t Peek: Once the rice is simmering, resist the urge to lift the lid and check on it frequently. Letting steam escape can disrupt the cooking process.
- Test for Doneness: After the recommended cooking time, remove the rice from heat and let it rest, covered, for a few minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and taste a few grains to ensure they’re tender and fully cooked.
Why should I rinse rice?
Rinsing and draining rice until the water runs clear is a crucial step when cooking rice. Here are the reasons why you should rice your rice before cooking:
- Removes Excess Starch: Rinsing removes surface starch from the rice grains, preventing them from clumping together during cooking.
- Promotes Fluffiness: By rinsing the rice, you create separation between the grains, resulting in a light and fluffy texture.
- Prevents Stickiness: Removing excess starch helps prevent the rice from becoming overly sticky or gummy as it cooks.
Absolutely! Just rinse and drain your rice and then place in the rice cooker with water. Cover and let cook until fluffy. While the rice is cooking, saute the onion in butter until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute longer. Once the rice is done cooking, fold in the onions and garlic and then the cilantro and fresh lime juice. Season with salt.
What should I serve with Cilantro Lime Rice:
Chicken Fajita Bowl
Stacked Beef Enchiladas
Chicken Enchiladas
Barbacoa Beef
Chile con Carne Enchiladas
Chicken Tacos
More Mexican Recipes:
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Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons Salted Butter
- 1 Onion (finely diced)
- 3 Garlic Cloves, minced (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 2 cups Jasmine Rice
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups Water
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Salt
- 1/2 cup Cilantro Leaves (packed, about 1 bunch)
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons Fresh Lime Juice
Instructions
- Rinse the Rice. Place the rice in a bowl and fill with water. Swirl the rice in the water. The water will most likely be cloudy. Drain and repeat several times until the water is no longer cloudy.
- Heat a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add butter and let melt. Add onion and cook for 7-9 minutes or until completely softened. Add in garlic and cook for 1 minute longer.
Cooking Rice in Skillet:
- Add rice and fold into the onion mixture. Add water and cover with a lid. Turn the heat to medium-low and allow the rice to cook and soak up the water. This should take about 15 minutes but watch carefully. See the blog post to know when rice is done cooking.
- Once the rice is done cooking, fluff with a fork. Fold in chopped cilantro leaves and lime juice. Taste for seasonings and add more salt if needed.
Cooking Rice in Rice Cooker:
- Place the rice and water in a rice cooker, cover, and let cook until the water is soaked up and fluffy. While the rice is cooking, saute the onion in butter until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute longer. Once the rice is done cooking, fold in the onions and garlic and then the cilantro and fresh lime juice. Season with salt.
- When serving, fluff with fork. May fold in extra butter if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I always serve this rice when I make chicken enchiladas. It’s the perfect side dish!
Another “dinner winner” from the kitchen of my favorite chef! One of my favorite food dishes is stuffed Poblano peppers, using Uncle Ben’s cilantro lime rice. Now I can make my own without any of the additives I can’t pronounce! Healthier & tastes better too! Now my only problem is finding room in the fridge for extra rice for stir fry! Ill deal with it somehow.
Omg this rice is amazing I could eat the entire bowl!!!