In addition to being totally delicious, this cilantro lime rice is a surprisingly versatile side dish! This recipe would be entirely too long and wordy if I were to start listing every possible pairing of this bright, tangy rice dish, but I will list a few of my favorites…
I love using it as the base for a taco bowl…
I love stuffing a burrito with some of this cilantro lime rice instead of the plain stuff…
I love adding a few scoops of this rice to a big bowl of curry, especially this butternut squash curry...
It pairs awesome with soups and stews like this Brazilian moqueca stew…
And it makes a piece of roast chicken, a filet of fish or a grilled steak seem a little extra special…
Convinced you should make some? Well, then let’s get started…
There are two versions of this dish: the quick version and the not-as-quick version. Allow me to explain…
This cilantro lime rice can be made with any kind of rice, so if you prefer a particular type of rice, feel free to use it! Now, if you are in a bit of a hurry, you can use instant rice and have a bowl of cilantro lime rice ready to use in about 10 minutes (including the time it takes to boil your water!).
For regular rice, begin by adding 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil into a saucepan and placing it over medium heat. Add 2 cloves of finely minced garlic into the saucepan and cook, stirring consistently, for about 60 seconds before adding 2 cups of your rice of choice and a pinch of salt. Cook the rice for a few minutes, stirring consistently, until the rice begins to brown lightly. Last, but not least, add the amount of water that the manufacturer directs and cook according to their instructions.
For instant rice, bring the manufacturers suggested amount of water to a boil in a saucepan. Once boiling, add a pinch of salt, 2 cups of rice and 2 finely minced cloves of garlic and cook according to manufacturers instructions.
Once your rice is cooked, fluff it up with a fork, transfer it into a bowl and add 1 tablespoon of fresh lime zest, 1/4 cup of fresh lime juice and 1/2 cup of finely chopped fresh cilantro and toss everything to combine.
Beautiful, right? I love the little bits of cilantro peaking through the bright white rice. This rice is every bit as good as the rice I order at my favorite tex-mex place and I literally cannot get enough of it! So, the next time you are whipping up something that would benefit from some flavorful rice, do yourself a favor and make this cilantro lime rice!
You’ll be so glad that you did!
Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
- 2 cups of the rice of your choice
- water
- a pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon of fresh lime zest
- 1/4 cup of fresh lime juice
- 1/2 cup of fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Instructions
For regular rice...
- Add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil into a sauce pan placed over medium heat
- Add 2 cloves of finely minced garlic into the pan and cook, stirring consistently, for 60 seconds
- Add 2 cups of rice and a pinch of salt into the pan and cook, stirring consistently, until the rice begins to lightly brown
- Add the manufacturers suggested amount of water to the rice and stir to incorporate
- Bring water to a boil and cook according to manufacturers directions
For instant rice...
- Bring the amount of water suggested by the manufacturer to a boil in a medium saucepan
- Once boiling, add 2 cups of a rice, a pinch of salt and 2 finely minced cloves of garlic to the water
- Cook according to manufacturers instructions
Assembly...
- Once the rice is cooked, transfer the pan onto a heatproof surface
- Add 1 tablespoon of fresh lime zest, 1/4 cup of fresh lime juice and 1/2 cup of finely chopped fresh cilantro and mix to combine
- Enjoy immediately
