This easy Cilantro Lime Rice is made in a rice cooker for a foolproof recipe. Adding lime juice and fresh cilantro, gives white rice a bright and refreshing flavor. You’ll love how delicious it is!
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Cilantro Lime Rice
Looking for an easy salad to make for a party or meal prep for the week? You’ve come to the right place because this Cilantro Lime Rice is a delicious and easy-to-make side dish that can add a burst of flavor to any meal.
This rice recipe is made in the rice cooker for extra easiness. There is no need to stress about setting the stove to the right temperature or forgetting to turn off the pot and getting burnt rice. Using the rice cooker comes out perfectly each and every time!
What’s to love about this rice dish? it’s gluten free, low fat, low calorie, freezer-friendly, and one of those recipes you can meal prep on Sunday and eat all week. So good.
♥️ xo, Ana
Ingredients
Cilantro Lime Rice recipe has few ingredients that most likely you already have at hand. Here’s what you need:
- The rice: Jasmine rice, basmati rice or long grain rice will work. Even brown rice will work!
- Seasoning: 1 or 2 bay leaves and kosher or sea salt
- Lime & lemon juice: Chipotle uses a combination of fresh lime juice along with some fresh lemon juice.
- Oil: Rice bran oil – also avocado, soybean or any other mild flavor oil will work, even a mild flavor olive oil.
- And last but not least: fresh chopped cilantro. It’s okay to chop the stems as well.
How to Make a Cilantro Lime Rice
- Start by rinsing your rice. Rinsing rice helps remove excess starch, which can make the rice less sticky and more fluffy. To rinse, use a fine mesh strainer, and run under cold water until the water runs clear.
- To the rice cooker pot, add the rice, water and bay leaf.
- Close the lid of the rice cooker and turn it on. The rice cooker will automatically turn off when the rice is done cooking (usually after 20-30 minutes).
- Let the rice sit in the closed rice cooker for an additional 5-10 minutes to allow it to steam and absorb any remaining water.
- Fluff the rice with a fork before adding the rest of the ingredients.
- Add the salt, oil, lime & lemon juice. Using a spatula, mix the ingredients gently.
- Add the fresh chopped cilantro and fold gently again.
- Close the rice cooker’s lid and keep warm until ready to serve.
Serving Suggestions
This is the perfect side dish for any meal when you want to give Arroz Rojo or Arroz Verde a break. Here are a few ideas on how to serve this rice:
- Make bowls: Layer the rice at the bottom of a bowl, add black beans, grilled chicken, and your favorite salsa. Don’t forget the pickled onions!
- Make burritos: Warm a flour tortilla and filled with refried beans grilled chicken, and your favorite salsa. Don’t forget the pickled onions!
- Serve with tacos like Carnitas, Chicken Tinga, or Blackened Salmon Tacos.
Ana’s Recipe Tips
How To Store & Reheat
- The key is to cool and refrigerate leftover cilantro lime rice as quickly as possible. When cold, put into an airtight container and cover.
- Fridge: Store for no more than a day before reheating it – and then only reheat it once.
- Freezer: I like to store my rice in freezer bags, stacked flat. They’ll keep well this way for up to 2 months.
- To reheat:
- On the stove: Put the rice in a heavy bottom saucepan with a splash of water and break up any clumps. Add a few drops of oil or a little butter if needed. Cover with a lid and cook over a low heat, stirring occasionally, until steamed through and piping hot.
- In the microwave: Put the rice in a microwaveable dish, sprinkle lightly with water and add a splash of oil or a little bit butter. Cover and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes. Stir with a fork, then microwave for 1-2 minutes more until heated through and steaming.
Print Recipe:
Cilantro Lime Rice (Rice Cooker)
Ingredients
- 2 cup jasmine or long grain rice
- 3 cups water
- 1 large bay leaf or 2 small ones
- 1 lime - the juice of 1 lime
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice,
- 1 ½ teaspoon kosher or sea salt, - or more to taste
- 2 Tablespoons rice bran oil (avocado, soybean or any other mild flavor oil)
- ¾ cup fresh chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Using a fine mesh strainer, rinse the rice with cold water until the water runs clear.2 cup jasmine or long grain rice
- To the rice cooker pot, add the rice, water and bay leaf.1 large bay leaf or 2 small ones, 3 cups water
- Close the lid of the rice cooker and turn it on. The rice cooker will automatically turn off when the rice is done cooking (usually after 20-30 minutes).
- Let the rice sit in the rice cooker for an additional 5-10 minutes to allow it to steam and absorb any remaining water.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and add the salt, oil, lime/lemon juice. Using a spatula, mix the ingredients gently. Lastly, add the chopped cilantro and fold gently.1 lime , 2 Tablespoons lemon juice,, 1 ½ teaspoon kosher or sea salt, , 2 Tablespoons rice bran oil (avocado, soybean or any other mild flavor oil), ¾ cup fresh chopped cilantro
- Serve hot as a side dish.
The bright flavors of lime and cilantro perfectly complement the fluffy rice, making it a refreshing side dish. It’s incredibly easy to make in the rice cooker, and it’s become a staple in our meal rotation.
I love the tangy lime together with cilantro, it gave thirice so much flavor.
I finally tried this recipe, and it was a hit at dinner! The zesty lime and fresh cilantro really brought the dish to life—I’ll definitely be making it again soon!
Enjoyed this with dinner last night and it did not disappoint! Turned out quick, light and fluffy; easily, a new favorite recipe!
This was sooooo easy to make in my cooker! Definitely trying it again with another dinner.
Deliciosa, fácil y nutriente receta! Muchas Gracias Ana!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️