Cilantro Lime Rice

Rice is one of my favorite side dishes, in part because it’s so versatile. This cilantro lime rice is one of my go-to rice recipes because it’s packed full of flavor, while still having the versatility of plain rice. It goes wonderfully with Mexican dishes, like chicken tacos, and Asian meals, like salmon curry. I even love this rice as a snack all on its own. 

The secret to this recipe is that it uses not only lime juice, but also lime zest. That makes the rice taste super fresh, while also giving it a good depth of flavor to balance out the strong cilantro. Whether it’s the base of your salmon power bowl, a side dish, or a snack, cilantro lime rice is a recipe you’ll find yourself turning to over and over again. And it only takes about half an hour to make!

What Makes This Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe So Good?

• Bright, fresh flavor. The combo of zesty lime and fresh cilantro takes plain rice from boring to bold in just a few minutes.
• Better than takeout. It tastes just like the kind you get at your favorite burrito place (you know the one), but fresher and made right at home.
• Comes together fast. If you already have cooked rice, this recipe takes just a few minutes to throw together. Instant upgrade.
• Easy to customize. Add garlic, toss in black beans or corn, there are many ways to make it your own.
• Works hot or cold. Serve it warm as a side dish or chilled in a taco salad or burrito bowl. It holds up either way.

What You’ll Need

This simple and quick rice recipe only uses a few ingredients. Be sure to check out the recipe card at the bottom of the article for the exact amounts.

• White basmati rice – You can also use jasmine rice if you prefer.
• Water
• Lime – Try to use a ripe lime that is both juicy and has nice zest.
• Cilantro
• Sea salt

How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice

Here’s how to make this fragrant and vibrant rice dish. As you can see, it’s super easy!

• Rinse the rice. Place the rice in a fine mesh strainer, and rinse until the water runs clear. 
• Add water to the rice. Place the rice in a pot, and add the water.
• Zest the lime. Zest the entire lime, and set the zest aside.
• Juice the lime. Squeeze all the juice from the lime into the pot with the rice. 

Tips For Success

• Don’t skimp on the rinsing. A lot of people make the mistake of not washing their rice enough. People think that since rice is fairly clean, it doesn’t need to be thoroughly rinsed. In reality, you don’t wash rice to clean it, you wash it to remove the starch. The starch on the outside of rice is what makes it gummy. Make sure you rinse the rice thoroughly, until all of the water that you’re rinsing it with is clear. This will ensure that your rice is light and fluffy, rather than gummy and dense. 
• Roll the lime. Before cutting the lime and juicing it, roll it on the counter while applying firm pressure with your palm. This will break up the pulp in the lime, allowing you to get more juice out of the fruit. 
• Fluff the rice. When you stir in the lime zest, cilantro, and salt, try to fluff the rice rather than aggressively stirring it. Use a fork or a rice paddle and lift the rice up as you incorporate the seasonings. You want to avoid stirring while pressing hard into the rice, or you’ll force it into a dense clump. 

Variation Ideas

• Make it garlicky. Add a clove or two of minced garlic to the pot when you start cooking the rice. It adds a subtle depth of flavor that pairs beautifully with the lime and cilantro.
• Use broth instead of water. Swap the water for low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth for even more flavor.
• Add black beans. Stir in ½ to 1 cup of drained black beans at the end for a heartier, protein-packed version—great for burrito bowls or taco night.
• Try it with corn. Mix in some sweet corn (fresh, canned, or frozen) after the rice cooks for a little pop of sweetness and texture.
• Spice it up. Add a pinch of cumin or a dash of chili powder when you add the water—or stir in a little minced jalapeño or red pepper flakes with the cilantro.

What to Serve it With

I love to eat cilantro lime rice all by itself, but I think it’s best when served with some Mexican or Asian foods. Here are a few of my favorite things to eat with this recipe. 

• Mexican quinoa stuffed sweet potatoes
• The best salmon tostadas
• Vegan rice paper dumplings
• Thai coconut curry chicken soup 

How to Store Cilantro Lime Rice

• Fridge: This rice recipe will last in the fridge for up to 4 days if stored in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave on 80% power in 20-second intervals until heated all the way through. 
• Freezer: You can store this rice in the freezer for up to 2 months in an airtight container. Make sure to thaw the cilantro lime rice completely before reheating it.