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(2) Cilantro Lime Rice

Updated January 16, 2026 / By Holly Erickson & Natalie Mortimer

Fresh cilantro, lime zest and lime juice flavor this bright, herb-studded rice, which upgrades all of your favorite Mexican-inspired meals (and more). Categories

• Lunch
• Dinner
• Dairy-Free
• Gluten Free
• Vegan
• Vegetarian
• Kid Friendly
• One Pot

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More Simple & Yummy Rice Recipes To Liven Up Your Meal

• Lemon Rice

• Coconut Rice

• Sushi Rice

• Brown Rice

Our Homemade Cilantro-Lime Rice Recipe Makes The Perfect Side Dish

That super-delicious, fluffy white rice with a hint of lime juice that fills Chipotle burritos and burrito bowls is really easy to replicate at home, and our easy cilantro-lime rice recipe proves it. If you can cook white rice (and even if you think you can’t) you can make this simple, flavorful cilantro-lime rice. It’s a great side dish for any Mexican meal, and of course it’s a truly perfect partner for Cilantro-Lime Chicken Thighs. Add guacamole, a Mexican Street Corn Salad and homemade salsa and you have a true feast. And for even more delicious rice recipes, check out our coconut rice, lemon rice and our jeweled rice.

The Best Cilantro-Lime Rice, In Just 5 Ingredients

• Long-grain white or jasmine rice

• Vegetable oil

• Salt

• A lime

• Cilantro. If you’re a person for whom cilantro tastes soapy (it’s a genetic thing, apparently) don’t substitute anything. Since this rice really only has two main ingredients, it’s pretty tough to sub in any alternatives. Try our Coconut Rice which pairs beautifully with a lot of the same dishes as this one, like Carnitas or Carne Asada.

How To Make Cilantro-Lime Rice

1. Rinse your rice, and seriously don’t skip this step! Rinsing the rice removes the starch (as well as any residual dust from processing) from the grains, which is the secret to fluffy, non-clumpy rice. A fine-mesh strainer is helpful for this.

2. Pour the rinsed and drained rice into a saucepan or small pot with a lid that fits well along with salted water—we’re working with a ratio that’s nearly 1:1 water : rice—and a bit of oil for richness.

3. Simmer time! Simmer—and don’t fuss with that lid—for a full 20 minutes.

4. Lift the cover and fluff the rice with a fork.

5. Gently stir in the the lime zest (the easiest way to zest a lime is with a microplane grater), juice and cilantro and stir until it is herby and delicious.

What Do You Eat Cilantro-Lime Rice With? We’re So Glad You Asked

• Carnitas

• Huli huli Chicken

• Instant Pot Chicken Tinga

• Cilantro-Lime Chicken Thighs

• Carnitas Juicy and crispy, tender Mexican pulled pork is one of my absolute favorite dinners, and best of all? This easy carnitas recipe can be cooked 3 ways: in a slow-cooker, Dutch oven, or an Instant Pot.
• Huli Huli Chicken Seasoned with a sweet and smoky sauce, this huli huli chicken recipe is the best way to channel those Hawaiian vibes directly to your kitchen.
• Instant Pot Chicken Tagine An intoxicating blend of spicy, sweet and savory ingredients make this Instant Pot chicken tagine a memorable meal that’s ready fast.
• Cilantro Lime Chicken Our reader-favorite cilantro lime chicken recipe gets its juicy, bright burst of flavor from a quick, and zesty marinade of lime, garlic, cilantro, and honey. Chicken thighs have never tasted better!

Chipotle At Home Has Never Been Easier!

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Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe

Updated January 16, 2026

By Holly Erickson & Natalie Mortimer

• Serves: 6
• Prep Time: 5 min
• Cook Time: 20 min
• Calories: 110

Description

Fresh cilantro, lime zest and lime juice flavor this bright, herb-studded rice, which upgrades all of your favorite Mexican-inspired meals (and more). Print Recipe Pin Recipe

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Ingredients

• 2 cups long-grain white or jasmine rice, rinsed
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon lime zest
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (from 1 lime)
• ⅓ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro

Method

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the rice, 2½ cups water, the vegetable oil, and the salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the liquid has been absorbed, about 20 minutes.

2. Remove the lid and fluff the rice using a fork. Stir in the lime zest, lime juice, and cilantro. Turn off the heat and let the rice sit on the hot stove for another 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

Related Recipes

Nutrition Info

• Per Serving
• Amount

• Calories 110
• Protein 1 g
• Carbohydrates 15 g
• Total Fat 5 g
• Dietary Fiber 0 g
• Cholesterol 0 mg
• Sodium 395 mg
• Total Sugars 0 g

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Cilantro Lime Rice

Questions & Reviews

Rated 5 stars by 2 readers

Ask a Question or Write a Review Name* Email* Comment Rating 5 4 3 2 1 Submit

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Questions 2 Reviews 2 Avg: 5 / 5

• Flora

  How do you rewarm the rice if you put it in the refrigerator

  Cover it with a damp paper towel in the microwave to keep it from drying out while reheating.

• adrinna

  Do I have to add the cilantro.?

  Hi Adriana, you can leave it out.

• Emily

  5-star rating

  Tasty and easy recipe! Worth spending time to cut up the cilantro !! Ive made this rice 4x in the last month. Great as a side or as a base for a bowl.

  WOW, love to hear that! Thanks Emily!

• Laura

  5-star rating

  I started using coconut oil instead for this recipe and holy moly let me tell ya... There's a party in my mouth.

  Oh fun! I will have to try this next time!

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