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This cilantro lime rice recipe is light, fluffy, and full of fresh citrus flavor. Made with white rice, fresh lime juice, lime zest, and chopped cilantro, it’s an easy side dish that pairs well with tacos, burrito bowls, grilled chicken, salmon, and so much more.
This cilantro lime rice is fresh, fluffy, and easy to make with just a handful of simple ingredients. It gets its signature flavor from fresh lime juice, lime zest, and finely chopped cilantro, and tastes better than Chipotle’s version. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s the perfect side dish for Mexican-inspired recipes like ground beef tacos, burrito bowls, and classic chicken mole, but it’s versatile enough to serve with grilled citrus-marinated chicken, salmon, and shrimp.
This cilantro lime rice recipe was first published nearly a decade ago! After receiving several comments that the rice needed more water to cook properly, I went back and retested it both at home and in my test kitchen. Today I’m sharing the updated recipe, new images, and several tips for more consistent results every time! I hope you love it as much as we do!
Table of Contents
Ingredients in Cilantro Lime Rice
You only need a few simple ingredients to make this cilantro lime rice recipe. Be sure to check out my favorite variations in the section below.
- Rice: I usually make this cilantro lime rice with basmati rice or jasmine rice. Both varieties cook up light, tender, and fluffy with nicely separated grains. If you have another long-grain white rice on hand, that will work, too, but keep in mind that short grain white rice (like sushi rice) will cook up dense and sticky. I often use Royal basmati rice or Mahatma jasmine rice, but use your favorite brand.
- Water or broth: Water is convenient and always available, but vegetable broth is a great option if you want a little extra flavor while keeping this recipe vegetarian and vegan. You can also use chicken broth or homemade chicken stock for a more savory finish.
- Fresh lime juice and lime zest: Fresh lime juice and zest are what give this rice its signature bright, citrusy flavor. I really recommend using fresh limes here rather than bottled lime juice, which can taste flat or overly acidic. A microplane grater gives you very fine zest without the bitter white pith underneath (and it’s super easy to use!). Lime zest has a very bold and concentrated lime flavor. If you prefer your rice to taste less zesty, start with less zest and half of the lime juice listed in the recipe card. You can always add more to taste.
- Cilantro: Fresh chopped cilantro adds color and bright herby flavor that makes cilantro lime rice so good. Stir it in at the end so it stays bright and fresh.
- Salt: You will need a little salt to help the lime and cilantro flavors pop. The exact amount is partly a matter of personal preference, so start with the amount listed in the recipe, then add more to taste after the rice is cooked and fluffed.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice
- Rinse the rice. Add the rice to a fine-mesh strainer and rinse well under cold water. This helps remove excess starch so the rice cooks up light and fluffy instead of sticky. Note: Thoroughly drain the rice after rinsing.
- Boil the water. In a medium saucepan or pot, bring the water and salt to a gentle boil. Note: Water will start to evaporate once it starts to boil. For accurate liquid measurements, add the rice just as the water starts to boil.
- Add the rice and lime. Stir in the rinsed rice, half of the lime zest, and the fresh lime juice.
- Cover and simmer. Return to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Let the rice rest. Remove the pot from the heat (don’t fluff quite yet!) and let the rice rest, covered, for 5 minutes. This helps finish the steaming process and improves the texture.
- Fluff and finish. Fluff the rice gently with a fork, then let it cool for about 5 minutes before stirring in the chopped cilantro and the remaining lime zest, if desired. Season with additional salt to taste and serve warm.
Recipe Variations
This cilantro lime rice recipe is actually quite versatile. Feel free to keep it exactly as written or switch things up depending on what you have on hand.
- Coconut Milk: For a slightly richer, creamier version of this cilantro lime rice, replace half of the water with full-fat canned coconut milk. It adds a subtle coconut flavor that pairs especially well with Thai-inspired dishes, grilled citrus-marinated chicken, or bowl-style meals like this teriyaki chicken bowl and bang bang salmon bites. Love coconut? Try my rich and creamy coconut rice recipe next!
- Brown Rice: To make this recipe with brown rice, use 1½ cups uncooked brown rice and 3 cups water or broth. Cook according to the package directions, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed. Once cooked, cover and let the rice rest for 5 to 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork and stir in the ½ cup fresh lime juice, lime zest, and chopped cilantro just before serving. For more tips, check out my full post on how to cook brown rice.
- Cauliflower Rice: For a lighter, low-carb option, try making cilantro lime cauliflower rice instead. Since cauliflower rice cooks much faster than regular rice, you will want to sauté it separately and then toss it with fresh lime juice, lime zest, chopped cilantro, and salt just before serving. For step-by-step help, check out my cauliflower rice recipe.
- Quinoa: For a higher-protein variation, swap the rice for quinoa. Cook 1½ cups quinoa according to package instructions, then fluff and stir in the fresh lime juice (start with ¼ cup), lime zest, chopped cilantro, and salt to taste before serving. Need help getting started? Here is my full guide on how to cook quinoa.
How to Serve Cilantro Lime Rice
Cilantro lime rice is light, fresh, and zesty, making it an easy side dish for recipes that are smoky, spicy, citrusy, or saucy. It is especially delicious with Mexican-inspired mains like tacos and enchiladas, grilled proteins, and bowl-style meals, but is even great with fried eggs for a quick and flavorful breakfast. Here are some of my favorite recipes to serve it with:
Cilantro lime rice is even more delicious with something spooned over the top. Try it with mango salsa, homemade pico de gallo, guacamole, or drizzled with creamy, smoky chipotle sauce.
And for more Mexican-inspired serving ideas, check out my full list of Mexican recipes, or my collection of Mexican Recipes Perfect for Cinco de Mayo.
Cilantro Lime Rice FAQs
This cilantro lime rice is easy to customize. I like to sauté diced jalapeño and minced garlic in a little butter or olive oil before boiling the water. Then, after the rice has finished cooking, fold in chopped green onions, black beans, or corn for extra flavor.
Yes. If you do not like cilantro or prefer to leave it out, the rice will still be delicious with the lime juice and zest alone. Of course, you can also swap the cilantro for chopped parsley, though the flavor will be a little different.
Yes, I recommend it. Rinsing helps remove excess starch from the surface of the rice, which makes the cooked rice lighter, fluffier, and less sticky. It only takes a minute and makes a big difference in the final texture.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- To store: Let the rice cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- To freeze: Transfer the cooled rice to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag and freeze for up to 2 months. For easier thawing, freeze it in individual portions.
- To reheat: Reheat leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to help loosen the rice and add back moisture. Warm just until heated through, then fluff with a fork and add a squeeze of fresh lime juice or a little extra cilantro, if desired.
More Amazing Rice Recipes
If you try making this quick & easy cilantro lime rice recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a comment and a star rating below, your feedback helps other readers discover (and enjoy) this recipe too. Thank you so much! 💛
Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ cups long-grain white rice, such as basmati or jasmine
- 1¾ cups water, or vegetable/chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- ½ cup fresh lime juice, see notes
- 1-2 teaspoon lime zest, divided
- 1 small bunch finely chopped cilantro, (about ½ cup)
Instructions
- Add the rice to a fine-mesh sieve and rinse under cool water until the water runs mostly clear. Drain well.
- Pour the water into a medium saucepan and season with the salt. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
- Stir in the rice, the fresh lime juice, and about half of the lime zest.
- Return to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low and cover with a tight-fitting lid.
- Cook for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
- Remove the pan from the heat and let the rice rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
- Uncover and gently fluff the rice with a fork.
- Let the rice cool for about 5 minutes, then stir in the chopped cilantro and the remaining lime zest, if desired. Taste and season with additional salt, if needed, then serve warm.
Video
Notes
- When you are simmering your rice be sure to turn the heat down to low. Not medium-low, but as low as it goes.
- Long-grain white rice is best. This includes Jasmine and basmati varieties.
- Use fresh lime juice and fresh lime zest. There is no good substitute.
- For bold lime flavor, use the full ½ cup fresh lime juice. For a slightly milder flavor, start with ¼ cup and add more to taste after cooking.
- As soon as the water comes to a boil, add the rice. If too much time passes before you add the rice, some of the liquid will evaporate from the pot which will lead to rice without enough water.
- Make sure that the lid to your pot is tight and that it doesn’t have any holes. Any steam released is water.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Is it okay to cook this in a rice cooker? I am not very successful in cooking rice in a regular pot, I am cursed when it comes to rice.
Hi Laura,
I have not tried this recipe in the rice cooker before, so I am not sure how to modify it for that. But I know it works well as written for a regular pot 🙂
so tasty rice recipe i loved it, so keep posting.
Your rice to End product ended up being fine, but took way longer than necessary.
Hi Marilyn, after getting your comment I tested this recipe as it was written in the recipe card and as I wrote it in the notes. I just updated the post with some more details on how to cook it.
I LOVE cilantro lime rice. One of my family’s favorites, for sure!