Name: Cilantro Lime Rice (Dairy Free)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 cup white jasmine or basmati rice; 1 1/2 cups water or broth; 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice; 1 teaspoon lime zest; 3 sliced green onions, thinly sliced (optional); 2 teaspoons finely chopped jalapeño (optional); 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro, tightly packed

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Cilantro lime rice is the perfect simple side dish for any Mexican or Asian inspired dinner! Made with just a handful of simple ingredients and absolutely loaded with zesty flavor. Easy to make and so delicious! Gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and vegetarian.

A large speckled ceramic bowl of cilantro lime rice, topped with thinly sliced green onion, cilantro leaves, and lime wedges.

The best cilantro lime rice

This cilantro lime rice is the perfect easy side dish that everyone will love!

It’s made with just a handful of simple ingredients and comes together quickly for those busy weeknights. It tastes bright, zippy, and full of fresh flavor.

Equally delicious served with burrito bowls (copycat Chipotle style anyone?) as it is with grilled chicken, seafood, or for your taco Tuesday spread.

The best way to brighten up a regular bowl of white rice to give it a little more character and zing!

Why you’ll love it

It is:

Full of flavor
Bright and zesty
Easy to make
Herbaceous
Satisfying
Filling
Perfect for taco night
SO delicious!

A small speckled ceramic plate of cilantro lime rice, topped with thinly sliced green onion, cilantro leaves, and lime wedges.

Cilantro lime rice ingredients in various sized ceramics on a light cream colored background.

Ingredients and substitutions

This easy rice recipe comes together in two main parts – the rice, and the cilantro lime mixture that you will stir in after the rice is done cooking.

Here’s what you need

Rice – Our favorite rice for cilantro lime rice is either Jasmine rice or Basmati rice, but you could use any type of rice you like, including brown rice.
Water or broth – To cook the rice.
Kosher salt – A small amount of kosher salad is added to the liquid that you cook the rice with to boost the flavor.
Garlic powder – Garlic powder is also added to the rice cooking liquid for more flavor. Could be substituted with onion powder.
Olive oil – Olive oil is used in the cilantro lime mixture that you stir into the rice once it’s done cooking.
Lime juice – Lime juice is also added to the rice after cooking for bright, citrusy flavor.
Lime zest – Fresh lime zest adds even more aromatic lime flavor to the cooked rice.
Green onions – Thinly sliced green onions are optional, but add textural interest and a boost of zippy flavor.
Jalapeño – Jalapeño is a nice way to add a small amount of heat to the rice, but feel free to omit for no spiciness.
Cilantro – Plenty of freshly chopped cilantro is essential for this recipe!

How to make cilantro lime rice: Rice in sauce pan with water, kosher salt, and garlic powder.

A large speckled ceramic bowl of cilantro lime rice, topped with thinly sliced green onion, cilantro leaves, and lime wedges, with a spoon lifting some rice out of the bowl.

How to make

Cilantro lime rice is SO easy to make. The perfect throw-it-together side dish for any night of the week.

Here’s the step-by-step

Prepare the rice. Using a fine mesh strainer rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Add to a medium sized saucepan along with 1 1/2 cups water or broth, kosher salt, and garlic powder. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to lowest possible temperature. Cover and cook for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to sit for 5 minutes before removing the lid.
Prep the olive oil and lime mixture. While the rice cooks, prep the remaining ingredients. In a small bowl mix together the olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, green onion, and jalapeño if using. Chop the cilantro and set aside, keeping it separate from the other ingredients.
Mix it all together. Remove the lid from the rice and fluff with a fork. Transfer rice to a bowl and gently toss with the olive oil and lime mixture until well combined. Season to taste with salt. Just before serving add the cilantro and toss again.

Can you make cilantro lime rice in the rice cooker?

Yes, you can make the rice for cilantro lime rice in a rice cooker. You’ll just add the same amount of liquid (water or broth) you normally would with the kosher salt and garlic powder also in the rice cooker and proceed with the rest of the recipe as written.

Serving suggestions

Cilantro lime rice is a super versatile side dish that can be served with many types of meals! It can easily be paired with Mexican or Asian inspired dishes.

Here’s some ideas

As a base for burrito bowls
With teriyaki salmon
Inside your favorite burrito
As a side dish for Taco Tuesday
Alongside grilled chicken, steak, or fish
With black beans and grilled veggies

Reheating and storage

Storing: To store leftover rice in the refrigerator, allow it to cool and then transfer to an air tight container. Will keep for to 4-5 days.

Reheating: This rice can easily be re-heated in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or gently warmed on the stove in a skillet with a splash of water of broth until heated through.

Freezing: To freeze cilantro rice allow it to cool completely before transferring to a large ziploc freezer bag or an air tight container. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the microwave or on the stove top.

Love this yummy side dish? Try these other recipes!

Sautéed Spinach with Garlic
Simple Lemon Garlic Roasted Asparagus
Mexican Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Mexican Roasted Cauliflower
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
One Pot Southwest Quinoa and Black Beans

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