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Rice is such a versatile side dish option. It can be dressed up in so many different ways. One of my family's favorite ways to enjoy it is in this easy cilantro lime rice recipe.
You're just a handful of ingredients away from a flavorful, vibrant side dish that pairs perfectly with Mexican, Indian, and Middle Eastern meals.
This simple cilantro and lime-studded rice dish is a fantastic choice to go alongside tacos with homemade taco seasoning, baked taquitos, and our favorite restaurant-style chicken fajitas. My family particularly loves it with this easy sautéed shrimp recipe.
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🧡 Why we love this recipe
- It only takes a handful of ingredients.
- The flavor payoff is huge without being overpowering.
- The cilantro pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes from different cuisines.
- The vibrant green color is a welcome addition to any meal.
✅ How to make this recipe
- Toast the rice in olive oil.
- Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Pour in water and steam the rice until tender.
- While the rice cooks, make the cilantro lime purée.
- Stir the purée into the cooked rice,
See recipe card below for full instructions.
📌 Tips
Toasting the rice is highly encouraged, but if you're in a rush you could skip this step. It only takes a few minutes, and the flavor payoff is well worth it.
Add the garlic after the rice has gotten a little toasty, and sauté it until fragrant.
💡 What to serve with cilantro lime rice
This rice is awesome in burritos, burrito bowls, and on the side of your favorite Mexican, Indian, or Middle Eastern dishes. It would also be delicious with homemade falafel if you wanted to make something more substantial than a pita sandwich out of it.
These are some of my favorite dishes to serve alongside this easy cilantro lime rice recipe:
Whatever you make to go with this rice, I hope you enjoy it! It's been a favorite over here for many years now!
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Print📖 Recipe
Easy Cilantro Lime Rice
- Prep Time: 5 Minutes
- Cook Time: 20 Minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 Servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
This easy cilantro lime rice recipe is the perfect, vibrant side dish to go with your favorite Mexican-inspired meals. Quick and delicious!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups plus 2 tablespoons water, divided
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ cup lightly packed fresh cilantro leaves
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Instructions
- To a medium saucepan set over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Once warm, add the rice and sauté, stirring occasionally, until the rice starts to toast a little bit, about 2 minutes. Add minced garlic and continue to sauté, stirring, for another minute.
- Add 1 ½ cups of water and the salt. Raise the heat to high and bring to a boil.
- Once the water is boiling, cover the saucepan and reduce the heat to low. Cook, covered, until the water is absorbed and the rice is just tender, about 16 to 18 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a blender or food processor, combine cilantro, lime juice, remaining tablespoon of olive oil, and 2 tablespoons water; blend until smooth.
- Stir the cilantro mixture into the cooked rice and enjoy!
Notes
I like using an immersion blender to make the cilantro lime purée.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ of recipe
- Calories: 126
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 157 mg
- Fat: 6.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 14.8 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 1.3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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