Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe

cilantro lime rice in bowl with spoon sticking out

This cilantro lime rice is a simple yet flavorful side dish, perfect for any meal. The fresh, citrusy flavors of lime, lemon, and cilantro blend beautifully with fluffy rice, creating a light and refreshing addition to your table.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword cilantro lime rice

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 22

Resting Time 5

Total Time 32

Servings people

Calories 234kcal

Author Tanya Harris

Ingredients

1 cup long-grain white rice such as Basmati or Jasmine
2 cups water
2 bay leaves depending on size and preference
1 teaspoon kosher salt plus salt to taste
2 Tablespoons olive oil
3 Tablespoons fresh cilantro finely chopped
2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice from 1 medium lime
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice from ½ medium lemon

Instructions

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Then, combine the rinsed rice, water, bay leaves, salt, and olive oil in a medium saucepan. Stir to mix everything well. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 22 minutes, or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
After the rice is cooked, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Then, remove the bay leaves and fluff the rice with a fork.
Drizzle the lime juice and lemon juice over the rice. Add the chopped cilantro, and gently fold everything together to distribute the flavors evenly.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, lime juice, or lemon juice to suit your taste.

Notes

To achieve the best texture, rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water before cooking. This helps to remove excess starch, preventing the rice from becoming sticky and ensuring a fluffy result.

Nutrition