Tired of boring, tasteless rice? This cilantro lime rice adds an extra zing to any taco or fajita bowl. It is also a great side dish to add something new to your weeknight rotation and definitely a side dish worthy of guests as well! With only a few extra steps than typical rice preparation, this recipe adds bold flavor that is more than worth it.
Cilantro Lime Rice Ingredients
This recipe is best with a preferred long grained white rice, such as basmati or jasmine. These types of rice are similar, and often used interchangeably.
According to Allrecipes.com, jasmine rice is “slightly plumper and softer than basmati” rice. It is recommended to rinse both types ahead of cooking, and for basmati, you will want to soak it in water for at least 30 minutes prior to cooking.
In addition to rice, you will need the following fresh ingredients: garlic, cilantro and one lime. You will also use salt and a bit of olive oil to prepare this delicious rice.
How to Prepare this Rice
First, you will measure and rinse the rice in a mesh sieve to remove excess starch. In order to do this, you will rinse it until the water runs clear. Then, allow the rice to drain and set aside. (Remember, if using basmati rice, it is recommended to soak it for 30 minutes prior to cooking).
Next, add olive oil to a saucepan, and heat to medium-high. Once the pan and oil are heated, add the pressed or minced garlic to the pan. Sauté the garlic for a quick 30 seconds or until fragrant.
Once the garlic is warm and fragrant, add the drained rice to the pan. Stir to coat the rice in the oil, and cook until lightly toasted, about 1-2 minutes.
Now, pour in the water & salt and bring to a boil. Then cover and reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Check that the water has been absorbed and rice is tender.
While the rice is cooking, you can wash, dry and chop the cilantro. Also, wash and zest the lime.
Once the rice is tender and water has been absorbed, you can turn off the stove, remove pot from the heat but keep the cover on and let it sit for 10 minutes.
Finally, add lime juice from one lime, the lime zest, and chopped cilantro to the rice and mix together until well combined.
Serving Suggestions for Cilantro Lime Rice
- This recipe is so versatile! It is perfect with any fajita or taco bowl, so try one of these with this rice: Easy Chicken Fajita Bowl or Beef Taco Bowl. I would also serve it along side a favorite grilled meat, like this Balsamic Flank Steak.
- If you are making this dish for a taco bar or for a gathering of any sort, a great complementary cocktail is this classic Mojito.
Cilantro Lime Rice
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Add this to any taco bowl or serve as a flavorful side dish.
Ingredients
1 cup long grain white rice (such as jasmine or basmati)
1 1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbs olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
Juice of 1 lime, and zested
1/2 cup cilantro finely chopped
Instructions
- Rinse rice in a mesh sieve to remove excess starch. Rinse until the water runs clear, then drain the rice and set aside.
- Add olive oil to a saucepan, and heat to medium-high
- Add the garlic to the pan and sauté for a quick 30 seconds or until fragrant.
- Next, add the rice and stir to coat in the oil, and cook until lightly toasted, about 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in the water & salt and bring to a boil. Then cover and reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Check that the water has been absorbed and rice is tender.
- While rice is cooking, wash, dry and chop cilantro. Also, wash and zest a lime. Slice and juice one lime and set aside.
- Turn off the stove, remove pot from the heat but keep the cover on and let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Add lime juice, zest, and cilantro to the rice and mix together.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 25
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