Cilantro Lime Rice
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Whether it’s a side dish, the base of a bowl, or a filling in a burrito, this homemade Cilantro Lime Rice is a flavorful addition to any meal! Made on the stove, in an Instant Pot, or in a rice cooker, it’s so easy to make this tasty Chipotle copycat recipe anytime.
Table of contents
This cilantro lime rice recipe first appeared on the blog in 2016 in this Veggie Fajita Rice Bowl. Since then, it’s appeared in several recipes on the blog, but never had it’s own dedicated post. That is until today!
Cilantro lime rice is a delicious addition to so many meals. I love adding it to a burrito, or burrito bowl, like at Chipotle. I also love serving it with grilled meats and roasted salmon. It’s incredibly versatile and I’ll show you over a dozen ways that you can use it!
I’ll also teach you how to make cilantro lime rice in an Instant Pot, rice cooker, or on the stove. Each method is super simple and will result in perfectly cooked rice every time!
Ingredients
- White rice – for this recipe I recommend a long-grain rice, like jasmine rice.
- Oil – any type of vegetable oil will work for this recipe. Chipotle uses rice bran oil in their rice. I usually use avocado oil, olive oil, or canola oil at home.
- Salt – to season the rice.
- Cilantro – when selecting cilantro at the grocery store, make sure to choose fresh cilantro with big, bright green leaves. You’ll add ½ cup of fresh chopped cilantro to the rice, so this will be about an entire small bundle from the grocery store. You can use some of the stems, but I recommend cutting off the ends of the stems and removing any thick stems before chopping the cilantro.
- Lime juice – I highly recommend squeezing fresh limes for the best flavor.
- Lime zest (optional) – if you want even more lime flavor, zest the skin of the lime before cutting it open and juicing it.
How to make it in an Instant Pot
- Cook the rice. Rinse rice under cold water in a fine mesh strainer for 30 seconds, or until the water runs clear. Add the rinsed rice to an Instant Pot with water, oil, and salt. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the steam valve is in the “sealing” position. Use the “manual” button to set the Instant Pot pressure to high for 3 minutes. Once the Instant Pot finishes and beeps, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes.
- Fluff the rice. After 10 minutes, move the steam valve to “venting” and release any remaining pressure. Remove the lid from the Instant Pot and fluff the rice with a fork.
- Add the cilantro and lime. Chop the fresh cilantro and add it to the Instant Pot with the cooked rice. Add the fresh squeezed lime juice and lime zest (optional) to the Instant pot, then stir to combine everything and serve the rice.
Do not leave cooked rice in the Instant Pot after removing the lid. Once you remove the lid from the Instant Pot and let all of the steam out, the rice immediately starts to dry out and will begin sticking to the bottom and sides of the Instant Pot, making it harder to clean. Either serve the rice immediately from the Instant Pot, or transfer it to a bowl and cover until ready to serve.
How to make it on the stove
- Cook the rice. Rinse rice under cold water in a fine mesh strainer for 30 seconds. Add the rinsed rice to a medium saucepan with water, oil, and salt. Cover the saucepan and place it on the stove over high heat. Bring the rice and water to a boil, this should take approximately 8-10 minutes. After the rice begins to boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, maintaining a gentle simmer. Set a timer for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove the lid and check to see if the rice has absorbed all of the water. If it has not, set another timer for 2 minutes and continue checking the rice every 2 minutes until the rice has absorbed all of the water.
- Fluff the rice. Once the rice has absorbed all of the water, remove it from the heat and place the lid back on the saucepan. Let the rice sit for 10 minutes off the heat, then remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.
- Add the cilantro and lime. Chop the fresh cilantro and add it to the saucepan with the cooked rice. Add the fresh lime juice and lime zest (optional) to the saucepan, then stir to combine everything and serve the rice.
While the rice is cooking on the stovetop, do not remove the lid more than 2 or 3 times. You can remove the lid to check if the rice is boiling, then again to check if the rice is finished cooking, other than that, the lid should stay on the pot. The rice is being steamed in the pot with the lid, so every time you remove the lid, you’re releasing steam and adding to the total cooking time.
How to make it in a rice cooker
- Cook the rice. Rinse rice under cold water in a fine mesh strainer for 30 seconds, or until the water runs clear. Add the rinsed rice to a rice cooker with water, oil, and salt, making sure all of the rice is covered by the water. Secure the lid on the rice cooker. Set the rice cooker to “white rice” mode, or set timer for 45 minutes.
- Fluff the rice. After the rice cooker has finished cooking the rice, allow it to rest in the rice cooker for 10 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.
- Add the cilantro and lime. Chop the fresh cilantro and add it to the rice cooker with the cooked rice. Add the fresh squeezed lime juice and lime zest (optional) to the rice cooker, then stir to combine everything and serve the rice.
Always use a 1:1 ratio of water to rice when using a rice cooker. No matter the brand or style of rice cooker used, you’ll always want to use a one to one ratio of water to rice when cooking long grain white rice.
Recipe notes
- Always rinse the rice, no matter which cooking method you choose. Rinsing the rice removes any excess starch on the rice that can cause the rice to clump together or become gummy as it cooks. This is one of the keys to making the perfect rice every time!
- In an Instant Pot or Rice Cooker, the ratio of water to rice is 1:1, one cup of rinsed rice + one cup water. On the stove top, the ratio is 1 ¾ cups water to one cup of rinsed long grain white rice.
- This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. If doubling or tripling the recipe, be sure to account for additional cooking time if using the stovetop method. It could take an extra 5-10 minutes to cook the water into the rice when increasing the amount of rice you’re cooking. The time for cooking the rice in the Instant Pot and rice cooker will remain the same.
- Always let the rice rest for 10 minutes after it’s cooked. This is the difference between good rice and great rice! That 10 minute rest is what makes the rice light and fluffy.
- The fastest way to prepare cilantro lime rice is in an Instant Pot. The stove top method of cooking white rice takes 35 minutes. The Instant Pot method takes 25 minutes and the rice cooker method takes 60 minutes.
- One cup of uncooked rice will result in approximately three cups of cooked rice. As a side dish, I like to plan for ½ cup cooked rice per person. If I’m using the rice as the base of a bowl, I usually plan for one cup of cooked rice as the base of each bowl.
- Store any leftover cilantro lime rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 days. You can reheat it in the microwave or on the stove. I recommend adding 1-2 teaspoons of water to the rice so that it does not dry out when you reheat it.
Optional additions
- Minced jalapenos – for a kick of spice, stir in 1-2 minced jalapenos with the cilantro. They will add flavor, spice and a nice crunch to the rice!
- Black beans – to make a more filling base for a bowl or burrito, drain and rinse a can of black beans and add it to the cooked rice with the cilantro and lime juice. This could also be used as a delicious, healthy side dish for tacos, enchiladas or fajitas.
- Pico de gallo – mix in a cup of pico de gallo at the end for a bright, fresh addition to the rice.
- Zhoug sauce – stir in 1-2 tablespoons of my favorite spicy cilantro sauce for even more fresh cilantro flavor and a kick of spice!
Ways to use it
- Use it as the base of a bowl in these recipes.
- Add it to these Chicken Fajita Grilled Burritos or this Chili Lime Rice and Shrimp Taco Salad.
- Add it to your favorite Mexican meal. It’s a great side dish to pair with any of these main dishes!
- Serve it as a side dish with any of these Asian recipes.
- It’s the perfect side dish to pair with these protein main dishes.
More copycat recipes
Don’t miss these other delicious copycat recipes from Chipotle, Outback Steakhouse and more!
Cilantro Lime Rice
Whether it's a side dish, the base of a bowl, or a filling in a burrito, this homemade Cilantro Lime Rice is a flavorful addition to any meal! Made on the stove, in an Instant Pot, or in a rice cooker, it's so easy to make this tasty Chipotle copycat recipe anytime.
Ingredients
- 2 cups long grain white rice
- 2 cups water, adjust for stovetop recipe
- 1 teaspoon oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, leaves and stems – chopped
- ¼ cup fresh-squeezed lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest, optional – for more lime flavor
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions
- Rinse the rice under cold water in a fine mesh strainer for 30 seconds, or until the water runs clear.
- Add the rinsed rice, 2 cups water, oil, and salt to the Instant Pot. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the steam valve is in the “sealing” position.
- Use the “manual” button to set the Instant Pot pressure to high for 3 minutes.
- Once the Instant Pot finishes and beeps, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, move the steam valve to “venting” and release any remaining pressure.
- Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Add the cilantro, lime juice and lime zest. Stir to combine and serve immediately.
Stovetop Instructions
- Rinse rice under cold water in a fine mesh strainer for 30 seconds.
- Add the rinsed rice to a medium saucepan with 2 cups water, oil, and salt. Cover the saucepan and place it on the stove over high heat.
- Bring the rice and water to a boil, this should take approximately 8-10 minutes. After the rice begins to boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, maintaining a gentle simmer. Set a timer for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, remove the lid and check to see if the rice has absorbed all of the water. If it has not, set another timer for 2 minutes and continue checking the rice every 2 minutes until the rice has absorbed all of the water.
- Once the rice has absorbed all of the water, remove it from the heat and place the lid back on the saucepan. Let the rice sit for 10 minutes off the heat, then remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.
- Chop the fresh cilantro and add it to the saucepan with the cooked rice. Add the fresh lime juice and lime zest (optional) to the saucepan, then stir to combine everything and serve the rice.
Rice Cooker Instructions
- Rinse rice under cold water in a fine mesh strainer for 30 seconds, or until the water runs clear.
- Add the rinsed rice to a rice cooker with 3 ½ cups water, oil, and salt, making sure all of the rice is covered by the water. Secure the lid on the rice cooker. Set the rice cooker to “white rice” mode, or set timer for 45 minutes.
- After the rice cooker has finished cooking the rice, allow it to rest in the rice cooker for 10 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.
- Chop the fresh cilantro and add it to the rice cooker with the cooked rice. Add the fresh squeezed lime juice and lime zest (optional) to the rice cooker, then stir to combine everything and serve the rice.
Notes
- Always rinse the rice, no matter which cooking method you choose. Rinsing the rice removes any excess starch on the rice that can cause the rice to clump together or become gummy as it cooks. This is one of the keys to making the perfect rice every time!
- In an Instant Pot or Rice Cooker, the ratio of water to rice is 1:1, one cup of rinsed rice + one cup water. On the stove top, the ratio is 1 ¾ cups water to one cup of rinsed long grain white rice.
- The fastest way to prepare cilantro lime rice is in an Instant Pot. The stove top method of cooking white rice takes 35 minutes. The Instant Pot method takes 25 minutes and the rice cooker method takes 60 minutes.
- One cup of uncooked rice will result in approximately three cups of cooked rice. As a side dish, I like to plan for ½ cup cooked rice per person. If I’m using the rice as the base of a bowl, I usually plan for one cup of cooked rice as the base of each bowl.
- Store any leftover cilantro lime rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 days. You can reheat it in the microwave or on the stove. I recommend adding 1-2 teaspoons of water to the rice so that it does not dry out when you reheat it.
Nutrition Facts
Serving 1cupCalories 234kcal (12%)Carbohydrates 50g (17%)Protein 4g (8%)Fat 1g (2%)Saturated Fat 0.2g (1%)Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat 1gSodium 202mg (8%)Potassium 90mg (3%)Fiber 1g (4%)Sugar 0.3gVitamin A 95mg (2%)Vitamin C 3mg (4%)Calcium 22mg (2%)Iron 1mg (6%)
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