Cilantro Lime Rice

Our easy-to-make rice is even better than Chipotle's.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated December 07, 2023
Elise Bauer

Cilantro lime rice is the best rice for burrito bowls, and pretty much any Mexican food, right? (Cilantro haters, please look away, this one's not for you.) It works well with Asian dishes too.

But you don't want to just toss plain rice with cilantro and lime juice and call it a day. Well, you could, but the rice wouldn't be close to as good as it could be.

Cilantro lime rice made well is irresistible. As in, "as soon as you finish one batch, you'll want to make another" irresistible. Or, "take your hands off my food, this is all for me" irresistible.

Tips for making the best ever cilantro lime rice? First, use basmati long grain rice. It's more aromatic than plain rice and the flavor complements the cilantro and lime.

A white bowl of cilantro rice with a lime wedge and cilantro in the background

Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

Second, start by lightly browning the rice in some olive oil. It's how we normally make rice pilaf or Spanish rice. The browning brings out wonderful flavor in the rice that you can't get any other way. This is the main difference between this recipe and other recipes you may find online for cilantro lime rice.

Finally, use fresh limes and toss some grated lime zest in with the water that you add to the rice. The lime oils in the zest will infuse the rice with lime flavor as it cooks.

At the very end, after the rice is cooked and fluffed, you'll add in chopped fresh cilantro and lime juice.

A bowl of cilantro lime rice with a cilantro and a lime wedge in the background

Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer
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Cilantro Lime Rice

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

  • 1 1/2 cups basmati rice, or other long-grain white rice

  • 1 clove garlic, minced

  • 2 1/4 cups water

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • Finely grated zest of one lime

  • 3 tablespoons lime juice

  • 1 cup lightly packed chopped cilantro (leaves and tender stems only)

Method

  1. Brown the rice:

    Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan on medium high heat. Add the raw rice and stir to coat with the olive oil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the rice has started to brown.

    Add the garlic and cook a minute more.

    Rice being cooked in a pot

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer
  2. Add water, salt, zest, then simmer:

    Add water, salt, and lime zest to the rice. Bring to a rolling boil, then cover and lower the heat to low to maintain a very low simmer.

    Water, salt, and lime zest added to rice and simmering in a pot

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer
    Cooked riced in a pot with a fork fluffing the rice

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    Cook undisturbed for 15 minutes (check your rice package instructions), then remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes.

    Fluff the rice with a fork.

  3. Stir in lime juice and cilantro:

    Transfer the rice to a serving bowl. Pour lime juice over the rice and toss with chopped cilantro.

    Lime juice and cilantro being mixed in a glass bowl with a wooden spoon

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    Serve with chicken, steak, shrimp, Mexican or Asian food.

    Did you enjoy this recipe? Let us know with a rating and review!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
229 Calories
5g Fat
43g Carbs
4g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 229
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5g 6%
Saturated Fat 1g 3%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 359mg 16%
Total Carbohydrate 43g 16%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 10mg 48%
Calcium 16mg 1%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 86mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.