Cilantro Lime Rice (Printable)

Fluffy rice infused with fresh cilantro and zesty lime juice, ready in 30 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 1 cup long-grain white rice (Basmati or Jasmine)
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Flavorings

05 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
06 - Zest of 1 lime
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
08 - 1 clove garlic, minced

# Directions:

01 - Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
02 - In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add rinsed rice to the saucepan, stirring constantly to coat each grain with oil.
04 - Pour in water and add salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
05 - Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes to complete steaming.
06 - Fluff rice with a fork. Stir in lime zest, lime juice, and chopped cilantro until evenly distributed.
07 - Taste and adjust salt or lime juice as needed. Serve warm alongside your favorite dishes.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The fresh cilantro and lime combination instantly elevates any weeknight dinner into something that feels like restaurant takeout
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry
  • This rice is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with everything from grilled chicken to spicy tofu
02 -
  • Wait until the rice is cooked and rested before adding any lime juice, otherwise the acid can interfere with the rice absorbing water properly
  • Do not skip the resting period after cooking, those 5 minutes make the difference between fluffy grains and a sticky mess
03 -
  • Use room temperature water instead of cold from the tap to ensure even cooking throughout the grains
  • If the rice tastes slightly underdone after the resting period, add 1 tablespoon of water, cover, and cook for 3 more minutes
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