Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe (Fluffy, Restaurant Style)
Fluffy long-grain rice folded with fresh lime juice, zest and cilantro. Stovetop, rice cooker and pressure cooker methods.
- 30 minutes
- 6 ingredients
- Rice cooker option
- Meal prep friendly
Good cilantro lime rice is fluffy, glossy and bright, with separate grains and a clean lime flavor. The two things that matter most are rinsing the rice and adding the lime and cilantro after cooking, not before.
Quick answer
For cilantro lime rice, rinse 1½ cups long-grain white rice, toast it in 1 tbsp oil, add 2¼ cups water and 1 tsp salt, and simmer covered 15 minutes. Steam off the heat 10 minutes, fluff, then fold in 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp lime zest and ½ cup chopped cilantro.
Fluffy cilantro lime rice.
Why This Cilantro Lime Rice Works
Plain rice with lime and herbs stirred in sounds simple, and it is. Small details decide whether it comes out fluffy and bright or heavy and dull.
Rinsed rice
Less surface starch means separate, fluffy grains.
Toasted in oil
A minute in the pan adds a nutty flavor and a glossy finish.
Steamed off the heat
Ten covered minutes finish the rice gently.
Lime and cilantro last
Added off the heat, they stay fresh and green.
Ingredients You Will Need
Six everyday ingredients.
| Ingredient | Why | Swap |
|---|---|---|
| IngredientLong-grain white rice | WhyCooks up light and separate | SwapBasmati, jasmine or brown rice with more water |
| IngredientOlive oil or butter | WhyCoats the grains; adds gloss | SwapAvocado oil; butter for a richer rice |
| IngredientSalt | WhySeasons the rice from the inside | SwapChicken or vegetable broth in place of water |
| IngredientBay leaf | WhyA quiet savory background note | SwapLeave it out |
| IngredientFresh lime juice and zest | WhyBrightness; the zest carries the aroma | SwapHalf lime, half lemon |
| IngredientFresh cilantro | WhyThe herbal, citrusy finish | SwapFlat-leaf parsley and green onion |
| IngredientGarlic powder | WhyA little depth | Swap1 small clove, minced, cooked with the rice |
Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
The card is set for 4 servings. Tap 2, 6 or 8.
Cilantro Lime Rice
Fluffy long-grain rice finished with fresh lime juice, zest and cilantro. Tap the number of servings and every amount updates.
Serves
Ingredients
Cilantro lime rice- ¾ cup1½ cups2¼ cups3 cups long-grain white rice (basmati or jasmine)
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp2¼ cups3⅓ cups4½ cups water
- 1½ tsp1 tbsp1½ tbsp2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- ½ tsp1 tsp1½ tsp2 tsp fine salt
- 1122 bay leaf, optional
- 1 tbsp2 tbsp3 tbsp¼ cup fresh lime juice
- ½ tsp1 tsp1½ tsp2 tsp lime zest
- ¼ cup½ cup¾ cup1 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- ¼ tsp½ tsp¾ tsp1 tsp garlic powder, optional
Do not lift the lid. The rice finishes cooking in trapped steam. Every peek lets it out.
Instructions
Rinse the rice
Rinse the rice in a fine mesh strainer under cold water for 1 to 2 minutes, until the water runs mostly clear. Drain well.
Toast
Heat the oil or butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the rice and stir 1 to 2 minutes, until the grains smell nutty.
Simmer
Add the water, salt, garlic powder and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to the lowest setting, cover tightly and cook 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
Steam
Take the pan off the heat and leave it covered for 10 minutes.
Fluff
Remove the bay leaf and fluff the rice with a fork to release the steam.
Season
Sprinkle the lime juice, zest and cilantro over the rice and fold gently until evenly mixed. Taste and add salt or lime as needed.
Gear for Cilantro Lime Rice
A pan with a tight lid and a fine strainer.
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Stovetop, Rice Cooker and Pressure Cooker
A fork keeps the grains whole.
| Method | Water per cup of rice | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MethodStovetop | Water per cup of rice1½ cups | Time15 minutes, plus 10 minutes of steaming | NotesLowest heat, tight lid |
| MethodRice cooker | Water per cup of riceTo the cooker’s line, or 1½ cups | TimeWhite rice cycle | NotesAdd oil and salt with the water |
| MethodElectric pressure cooker | Water per cup of rice1 cup | Time4 minutes at high pressure, 10 minutes natural release | NotesRinse well so it does not foam |
| MethodBrown rice, stovetop | Water per cup of rice2 cups | Time40 to 45 minutes, plus 10 minutes of steaming | NotesChewier and nuttier |
| MethodLeftover cooked rice | Water per cup of riceNone | TimeReheat with 1 tbsp water per cup | NotesFold in lime and cilantro once hot |
In every method the finish is the same: fluff with a fork, then fold in the lime juice, zest and cilantro.
Tips for Fluffy, Bright Rice
Rinse until clear
One to two minutes under cold water.
Drain well
Extra water clinging to the rice throws off the ratio.
Use a tight lid
A layer of foil under a loose lid seals in the steam.
Lowest heat
A hard simmer scorches the bottom.
Rest 10 minutes
The steam evens out the moisture.
Fluff with a fork
A spoon mashes the grains.
Zest before juicing
And use both: zest for aroma, juice for tang.
Chop cilantro dry
Wet herbs turn the rice soggy and dark.
Flavor Variations
Tap one:
Garlic Cilantro Lime Rice
Cook 2 minced garlic cloves in the oil for 30 seconds before adding the rice.
Restaurant Style
Use chicken broth and butter, and blend half the cilantro with the lime juice before folding it in.
Coconut Lime Rice
Replace half the water with canned coconut milk.
With Black Beans and Corn
Fold in 1 cup black beans and ½ cup corn, warmed.
Jalapeño Lime
Add 1 finely diced, seeded jalapeño with the cilantro.
Brown Rice
Use 2 cups water per cup of brown rice and simmer 40 to 45 minutes.
Cauliflower Rice
Sauté 4 cups riced cauliflower for 5 minutes, then season the same way.
What to Serve With Cilantro Lime Rice
Made for burrito bowls.
| With | Ideas |
|---|---|
| WithBurrito bowls | IdeasBlack beans, grilled chicken or beef, corn, salsa, avocado |
| WithTacos and fajitas | IdeasAs the side, or tucked inside |
| WithBurritos | IdeasRolled up with beans, cheese and meat |
| WithGrilled chicken or fish | IdeasEspecially with a chili or citrus marinade |
| WithShrimp | IdeasGarlic shrimp or shrimp skewers |
| WithBeans and stews | IdeasBlack beans, chili, or a saucy chicken stew |
| WithStuffed peppers | IdeasAs the filling, with beans and cheese |
Storage and Make-Ahead
| What | How | Keeps |
|---|---|---|
| WhatRefrigerator | HowAirtight container, cooled within 1 hour | KeepsUp to 4 days |
| WhatFreezer | HowFlat in freezer bags | KeepsUp to 3 months |
| WhatReheat, microwave | HowCovered, with 1 tbsp water per cup | Keeps1 to 2 minutes |
| WhatReheat, stovetop | HowCovered pan over low heat with a splash of water | Keeps5 minutes |
For meal prep, cook the rice plain and add the lime and cilantro to each portion after reheating. The flavor and color stay much fresher.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Result | Instead |
|---|---|---|
| MistakeSkipping the rinse | ResultSticky, clumpy rice | InsteadRinse until the water runs clear |
| MistakeAdding lime before cooking | ResultDull flavor and firmer grains | InsteadAdd it after fluffing |
| MistakeCooking the cilantro | ResultDark, limp herbs | InsteadFold it in at the end |
| MistakeLifting the lid | ResultUnevenly cooked rice | InsteadLeave it covered the whole time |
| MistakeToo much water | ResultMushy rice | InsteadMeasure 1½ cups per cup of rice |
| MistakeStirring while it cooks | ResultBroken, starchy grains | InsteadStir only when toasting and at the end |
| MistakeUnder-salting | ResultFlat-tasting rice | InsteadSalt the cooking water |
Cilantro Lime Rice: FAQs
How do you make cilantro lime rice?
Rinse long-grain white rice, toast it briefly in oil, simmer covered for 15 minutes, steam off the heat for 10 minutes, then fold in fresh lime juice, lime zest and chopped cilantro.
What rice is best for cilantro lime rice?
Long-grain white rice. Basmati gives the fluffiest, most separate grains and jasmine is slightly softer and more fragrant.
When do you add the lime and cilantro?
After cooking. Heat dulls both the lime flavor and the color of the cilantro, so fold them in once the rice has been fluffed.
Why is my rice sticky or mushy?
It was not rinsed, there was too much water, or the lid was lifted while it cooked. Rinse until the water runs clear and keep to the water amount in the recipe.
Do I have to rinse the rice?
Rinsing washes off surface starch, which is what makes rice clump. For separate, fluffy grains it makes a clear difference.
Can I make cilantro lime rice in a rice cooker?
Yes. Rinse the rice, add it with the water, oil and salt, and cook on the white rice setting. Fold in the lime and cilantro at the end.
Can I make it in a pressure cooker?
Yes. Use equal parts rinsed rice and water, cook 4 minutes at high pressure and let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
Can I use brown rice?
Yes. Use 2 cups of water per cup of brown rice and simmer 40 to 45 minutes before steaming.
How do I get restaurant-style cilantro lime rice?
Cook the rice with a bay leaf, use a little butter or oil so the grains are glossy, and season with both lime and a small squeeze of lemon. Add the cilantro at the very end.
How do I make it like El Torito or other Mexican restaurants?
Restaurant versions are usually richer. Cook the rice in chicken broth instead of water, use butter, and blend half the cilantro with the lime juice so the rice turns pale green.
How long does cilantro lime rice keep?
Up to 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Cool it quickly and refrigerate within an hour of cooking.
Can I freeze cilantro lime rice?
Yes. Freeze flat in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen with a splash of water and add a little fresh lime.
What if I do not like cilantro?
Use flat-leaf parsley with a little green onion, or leave the herb out and make plain lime rice.
Can I use bottled lime juice?
Fresh is noticeably better here because the juice is not cooked. Bottled works in a pinch; add zest from a fresh lime if possible.
What goes with cilantro lime rice?
Burrito bowls, tacos, fajitas, grilled chicken, shrimp, black beans, and any saucy stew that needs something to soak it up.
More Rice and Taco Night Recipes
What to put next to it and on top of it.
Rinse, toast, steam, then lime and cilantro.
Pin this cilantro lime rice for taco night and burrito bowls.
