Cilantro Lime Rice (Printable Version)

Aromatic fluffy rice with fresh cilantro and zesty lime—perfect side dish in 30 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Rice

01 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, such as 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, approximately 1 lime
08 - 1 clove garlic, minced, optional

# How To Make It:

01 - Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
02 - In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, if using, and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add the rinsed rice and stir to coat the grains with oil.
04 - Pour in the water and add the salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and water is absorbed.
05 - Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
06 - Fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in the lime zest, lime juice, and chopped cilantro.
07 - Taste and adjust salt or lime juice as needed. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in thirty minutes flat, making it perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something that feels special but doesn't demand hours in the kitchen.
  • The lime and cilantro combination tastes restaurant-quality, but you're using ingredients that probably live in your fridge already.
  • It pairs with absolutely everything—tacos, grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, curry—so you'll make it over and over without getting bored.
02 -
  • Rinsing the rice genuinely changes the texture from gluey to fluffy, so don't skip this step even when you're in a hurry.
  • Add the cilantro and lime after cooking rather than before because heat turns cilantro dull and bitter, while fresh cilantro added at the end tastes like a spring morning.
03 -
  • If you're cooking for a crowd, this recipe doubles easily—just use the same two-to-one water-to-rice ratio and give yourself a few extra minutes on the simmer.
  • Fresh lime juice tastes noticeably better than bottled, and zesting the lime before you juice it saves you a step and gives you more control over the flavor.
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