Gluten Free/ Mexican and Latin Recipes/ Rice & Grains/ Vegan/ Vegetarian

Cilantro Lime Rice

I guess I need to say a bit more, although that sums up my feelings on the matter rather nicely.

I am not sure when I first encountered this version of rice and my love affair began.

It should have made more of impact since I am obsessed with it now. But if I see it on a menu, I will order it.  Sadly, I am often disappointed.  Most restaurant versions are lackluster, minuscule hint of lime and cilantro that barely registers on the taste buds.

There was no other option; I had to create my own version. I wanted the tartness of the limes to shine through and I wanted that ever distinct taste of cilantro to leave no doubt of its presence.

Cilantro Lime Rice for a crowd!

For this recipe, I made enough to feed eight people, as I was having a dinner party.  But I will provide directions in parenthesis to halve this recipe.  For this particular recipe I used chicken broth, but vegetable broth is a perfect substitute. A quarter cup of fresh lime juice is about 2 limes, give or take, depending on their size.

Want to make a full meal? Try this Cilantro Lime Rice with one of these entrees and one of these sides:

Entrees:

Sides:

Cilantro Lime Rice ~ fluffy long grain white rice flavored with cilantro and lime, an upgrade to the plain old rice on your dinner table.  The Complete Savorist

Cilantro Lime Rice

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: rice, side dish, vegan, vegetarian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8
Author: Michelle De La Cerda

Fluffy long grain white rice flavored with cilantro and lime, an upgrade to the plain old rice on your dinner table. 

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice (1 cup)
  • 2 cups broth (1 cup)
  • 2 cups water (1 cup)
  • 1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro (1/4 cup)
  • 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice (2 tbsp.)
  • 2 cloves garlic; minced/grated (1 clove)
  • Pinch of salt (same)

Instructions

  1. Cook rice according to package time directions, using both the broth and the water.
  2. Chop the cilantro and juice the limes.
  3. Once the rice is done and while it is still warm, add the cilantro, garlic, lime juice and salt. Fluff it with a fork until the cilantro is equally distributed.
  4. Serve and devour, forks totally optional and face first is acceptable.
Cilantro Lime Rice ~ The Complete Savorist
Cilantro Lime Rice ~ The Complete Savorist

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32 Comments

  • Reply
    Kristine
    June 24, 2014 at 7:09 am

    I love cilantro lime rice! Great post!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      June 24, 2014 at 10:46 pm

      Thanks Kristine. I’m happy to know I am in good company with loving cilantro lime rice.

      • Reply
        Toni
        March 3, 2016 at 9:34 am

        How many calories for a serving

        • Reply
          Michelle De La Cerda
          March 3, 2016 at 10:45 am

          I updated the nutritional info in the recipe. There are 116 calories per serving which is 1/2 cup cooked rice. Hope that helps.

  • Reply
    Terri S
    June 24, 2014 at 1:08 pm

    This looks incredible! Thank you so much for sharing.

    • Reply
      Terri
      June 24, 2014 at 10:47 pm

      Thank you Terri, I went a bit crazy with taking pictures, I was having fun with the red crockery. The rice was just fantastic. Perfect balance of lime and cilantro.

  • Reply
    Erin | The Law Student's Wife
    July 24, 2014 at 7:20 am

    I adore cilantro lime rice and the pots you cooked them in are so pretty! I think I could eat a whole one myself.

    • Reply
      Michelle
      July 24, 2014 at 5:50 pm

      Erin, I adore the rice too. The crock are individually portion-size. They are fun.

  • Reply
    Grilled Cuban Pork Chops
    March 21, 2015 at 12:00 am

    […] be a hit with even your pickiest eater.  Dinner was served up with some fantastic side dishes. Cilantro Lime Rice a mild rice made fragrant with lime and cilantro. White Corn and Black Beans Fresh summer corn […]

  • Reply
    Arman @ thebigmansworld
    April 15, 2015 at 1:19 am

    Now I can actually make the mock chipotle bowls- Winning!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      April 16, 2015 at 11:28 am

      I think they might add a bit of butter to theirs and try basmati rice instead of regular long grain white….but not 100% sure.

  • Reply
    Aimee @ ShugarySweets
    April 15, 2015 at 6:21 am

    I love cilantro lime rice too!! Those little bowls are adorable!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      April 16, 2015 at 11:28 am

      Thank you Aimee. They are fun bowls.

  • Reply
    Kellie
    June 17, 2015 at 6:21 pm

    What kind of broth ???

    • Reply
      Michelle
      June 17, 2015 at 6:23 pm

      My standby is chicken because it’s clearer than veggie broth.

  • Reply
    Lime Cilantro Rice - Everday Made Fresh
    July 28, 2015 at 2:01 am

    […] having lost it, I’m thankful for Pinterest! (are you following me?) Anyways. This recipe from The Complete Savorist came up in my feed one day and I thought, “wow, we haven’t had that in […]

  • Reply
    Brooke of Passport Couture
    December 9, 2015 at 12:01 pm

    Can’t go wrong with the flavors Cilantro and Lime!

  • Reply
    KiAnna
    February 12, 2016 at 3:33 pm

    What kind of broth should I use??

    • Reply
      Michelle De La Cerda
      February 12, 2016 at 3:35 pm

      I usually use chicken to keep the color of the rice light. But you could use vegetable.

  • Reply
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    […] – Seasoned tilapia with cilantro rice and brussels […]

  • Reply
    Linda Heil
    April 12, 2016 at 9:54 pm

    Made this tonight to go along enchiladas. The family loved the rice.Great recipie and easy to make.

  • Reply
    Eboni
    May 23, 2016 at 5:17 pm

    I will be making his tonight for dinner side dish. Thanks for sharing!????

  • Reply
    karen
    June 18, 2016 at 11:46 pm

    I plan on making this for a bridal shower, but would need to make it the day before– how will it reheat?

    • Reply
      Michelle De La Cerda
      June 19, 2016 at 11:29 am

      I reheated the left overs and it was fine. Microwave at lower temps. I always cover with damp paper towel as well.

  • Reply
    Rachel
    July 8, 2016 at 1:57 pm

    I want to make this rice tonight bit don’t have a lime. Do you think I could sub in lemon?

    • Reply
      Michelle De La Cerda
      July 8, 2016 at 2:12 pm

      I have never used lemon as a substitute in this dish. I am always one up for trying new things though. Start by adding 1/2 the amount of lemon, fluff, taste, and add more lemon until it is flavored throughout.

  • Reply
    Creamy Cilantro Lime Chicken | Positively Yumsters
    August 21, 2016 at 12:37 pm

    […] it with fresh steamed asparagus, broccoli or a simple tossed salad. You can serve it with this Cilantro Lime Rice. It tastes way better that Chipotle’s. We use Basmati rice and add extra garlic (of […]

  • Reply
    family friendly weeknight dinners this week - (cool) progeny
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    […] taco Tuesday and whip up these Maple Chipotle Salmon Tacos. All you need is a side of Cilantro Lime Rice and dinner is […]

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    Mexican Chicken Sweet Potato Skillet - Dutch Oven Daddy
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    […] rice? Here’s 3 options from The Complete Savorist: Spanish Rice, the traditional side dish; Cilantro Lime Rice, a bright, light option; or Cuban Yellow Rice, another traditional […]

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