Stovetop Cilantro Lime Rice
This Stovetop Cilantro Lime Rice is bursting with fresh flavor from lime zest and juice plus plenty of chopped cilantro. We enjoy this delicious side dish alongside tacos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, or anything Tex-Mex!
Best Cilantro Lime Rice
Our Tex-Mex menu choices are consistently expanding, and when it comes to side dishes, there is no limit. Because if you’ve been around here for a while, you already know that we eat a LOT of Mexican-inspired food.
If you’d rather make this recipe in an instant pot, try our Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice next. Plus, you’re going to want to try our Mexican Rice and Beans or Green Chile Rice too.
Why This Recipe Works:
- SIMPLE PROCESS – This recipe requires a handful of simple ingredients that can easily be found in most grocery stores. While the rice simmers, you can work on your main course.
- FULL OF FLAVOR – We keep plenty of limes and fresh cilantro stocked in our refrigerator at all times. These two ingredients pack a serious flavor punch! (If you don’t love cilantro, I’m so sorry!)
- PERFECT SIDE DISH – This cilantro lime rice is THE perfect side dish for so many of our main dishes. In fact, we just paired this with our Skillet Beef Enchiladas and meal prepped it for the week.
What You’ll Need:
- olive oil
- long-grain white rice
- garlic
- water
- salt and papper
- limes
- cilantro
How to make Stovetop Cilantro Lime Rice:
Step 1
Brown rice. Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and when hot, add white rice. Stir continually to brown for about 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant and slightly crispy. Then add minced garlic and stir for another minute.
Step 2
Add liquids. Add water and the zest and juice of one lime. Bring to a slow simmer, add lid, and let rice cook undisturbed until liquids absorb. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Step 3
Fluff rice. Remove pan from heat and let sit for ten minutes. Then fluff with a fork.
Step 4
Add cilantro and remaining lime. Then add the chopped cilantro and remaining lime zest and juice. Stir to combine, and test for seasonings. Add additional salt and pepper to taste.
Step 5
Serve. Serve cilantro lime rice with main dishes of your choice.
Store cilantro lime rice in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in your microwave.
Main Dishes to serve with Cilantro Lime Rice:
We have a bunch of delicious Tex-Mex dishes to serve with cilantro lime rice. Here are a few of our favorites.
Recipe FAQs:
Long-grain white rice, such as jasmine or basmati, works best because it cooks up light and fluffy.
Yes, but it requires a longer cook time and more liquid. The texture will also be chewier than with white rice.
It adds a slightly nutty flavor and helps each grain stay separate and fluffy.
Browning rice requires the grains to be dry so they toast properly in oil or butter. If you rinse the rice first, it will be wet and steamy instead of browning, and it may clump or sizzle too much.
If you’re not a fan of cilantro, try parsley for a milder, fresh flavor.
Other Delicious Rice Recipes:
Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)
xoxo ~Sue
Stovetop Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ cups long grain white rice – we use Basmati
- 2 cloves garlic – diced
- 2 ½ cups water
- salt and pepper – to taste
- 1/2 cup cilantro – chopped
- 2 large limes – zested and juiced
Instructions
- Brown rice. Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and when hot, add white rice. Stir continually to brown for about 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant and slightly crispy. Then add minced garlic and stir for another minute.2 Tablespoons olive oil, 1 ½ cups long grain white rice, 2 cloves garlic
- Add liquids. Add water and the zest and juice of one lime. Bring to a slow simmer, add lid, and let rice cook undisturbed until liquids absorb. Add salt and pepper to taste.2 ½ cups water, 2 large limes , salt and pepper
- Fluff rice. Remove pan from heat and let sit for ten minutes. Then fluff with a fork.
- Add cilantro and remaining lime. Then add the chopped cilantro and remaining lime zest and juice. Stir to combine, and test for seasonings. Add additional salt and pepper to taste.1/2 cup cilantro
- Serve. Serve cilantro lime rice with main dishes of your choice.
Notes
- Store cilantro lime rice in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in your microwave.
- This cilantro lime rice is THE perfect side dish for so many of our main dishes, including our skillet beef enchiladas, walking taco casserole, and crispy black bean tacos.
I agree! The extras take this rice to another level. Go Zesty Go! ????❤️