Cilantro Lime Rice
In short: Fluffy rice scented with lime zest and finished with lime juice and chopped fresh cilantro. A fresh side for tacos, bowls and grilled meat. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 10 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 305 kcal
Cilantro lime rice is the fresh, green-flecked rice served with tacos, burrito bowls and grilled meat, and it is simple to make at home. The trick is to keep the herbs raw and to add the lime in two stages: zest in the pot for fragrance, juice at the end for brightness. The result is fluffy rice that tastes of citrus and herbs rather than plain salt. It takes about 35 minutes, including the rest.
Instructions
- Rinse the rice in a bowl of cold water, swirling and draining 3 or 4 times until the water is nearly clear. Drain well.
- Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, then add the rice and stir for 1 minute until coated.
- Add the water, salt and lime zest. Bring to a boil, stir once, then lower the heat, cover and cook for 12 minutes.
- Take the pan off the heat and leave it covered for 10 minutes.
- Fluff the rice with a fork. Add the lime juice, cilantro and spring onions and fold them in gently.
- Taste and adjust the salt and lime. Serve warm.
Tips
- Chop the cilantro finely and add it off the heat. Cooked cilantro turns dull and loses most of its flavor.
- For a richer rice, replace half of the water with coconut milk. A bay leaf in the pot adds depth, but remove it before serving.
Questions and answers
Can I make cilantro lime rice with brown rice?
Yes. Use 300 g (1 1/2 cups) brown rice with 750 ml (3 cups) water, cook for 40 minutes and rest for 10 minutes. Add the lime juice and cilantro at the end.
What do you serve with cilantro lime rice?
It goes with tacos, grilled chicken or fish, black beans, shrimp and grilled vegetables.
Can I freeze cilantro lime rice?
Yes. Cool it quickly, freeze it in portions for up to 3 months and reheat with a splash of water. Add fresh lime juice after reheating.
How long does it take to make Cilantro Lime Rice?
About 25 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Cilantro Lime Rice?
About 305 kcal per serving, with 5 g of protein, 61 g of carbohydrates and 4 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 305 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 61 g |
| Fat | 4 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 290 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
