This Cilantro Lime Rice recipe is fresh, flavorful, and tastes just like what you get at your favorite Tex Mex restaurant. With just three ingredients, you can easily make it at home!

overhead of a bowl of cilantro lime rice garnished with two lime wedges and extra cilantro

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This cilantro lime rice is so flavorful and easy to make! All three ingredients are in the actual title, so there’s no funny business or complicated recipes to follow for this one. The fragrant cilantro and tangy lime have some terrific Tex-Mex vibes and taste exactly like what you’d get at Chipotle, Q-Doba, and Cafe Rio. I love a big bowl of this rice and chicken with all the fixings!

How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice

This rice could not be more simple to make. You will make it once and wonder why you haven’t been making it every time you have taco night. Only three ingredients, only three steps!

Rinse the Rice

Rinse the dry rice until the water runs clear. I typically rinse it about three times. Rinsing the rice removes the extra starch, keeps it from scorching, and results in a fluffier, lighter rice.

Boil the Rice

Bring two cups of rice and four cups of water to a boil. Then reduce the heat, cover with the lid just slightly ajar, and cook for 20 minutes or until the water is fully absorbed.

overhead of a sauce pan with the lid slightly ajar

Add the Cilantro and Lime

Fluff the rice, transfer it to a bowl, and stir in cilantro and lime juice. I love using fresh lime juice in this recipe for best results.

overhead of a saucepan with cooked rice and fresh cilantro

Tips and Tricks

Rinse your rice. As mentioned above, this will take out the extra starch and make for fluffier rice.
Use fresh lime juice. This recipe tastes best when you use freshly juiced limes. To get the most juice out of your limes microwave them for 10 seconds and roll them between your palm and the counter.
Storing cilantro. The fresh cilantro in this recipe can be stored in your refrigerator for up to two weeks. To store, remove any brown leaves, cut off a small amount of the stems, place in a cup of water, and cover with a plastic bag.
Make a low carb version. Use either quinoa or cauliflower rice in place of jasmine rice to make a lower carb version.
Use your instant pot. I love making rice in the instant pot and that’s a great short cut for this recipe.

Storing Leftovers

Any leftover cilantro lime rice should be stored in the refrigerator within an hour of cooking to prevent bacteria growth. Store it in an airtight container for four to five days in the refrigerator. I always like to add a few tablespoons of water to my rice when reheating it.

overhead of a pot of cilantro lime rice recipe garnished with two lime wedges and extra cilantro

What to Serve with Cilantro Lime Rice

Taco Meat: This simple recipe is perfect for taco night!
Chicken Tacos: We make this recipe all the time! It is easy to make and totally delicious, and should be a regular on your recipe rotation list too.
Guacamole: If you are having taco night, you really need to have my guacamole!
Margaritas: Where there are tacos, there should really be margaritas.

If you make my lime cilantro rice or any of my recipes, leave me a comment and let me know!

5 from 1 vote

Cilantro Lime Rice

Author: Lisa Longley

Serves: servings

(tap # to scale)

Prep: 2

Cook: 25

Total: 27

This Cilantro Lime Rice recipe is fresh, flavorful, and tastes just like what you get at your favorite Tex Mex restaurant. And with just three ingredients, you can easily make it at home!

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Ingredients

2 cups white rice rinsed three times
4 cups water
2 tablespoons lime juice the juice of about one lime
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Instructions

Rinse the dry rice until the water runs clear.
Bring rice and water to a boil. Cover with the lid just slightly ajar and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the water is fully absorbed.
Stir in chopped cilantro and lime juice.

Recipe Video

Nutrition Information

Serving: 0.5cup Calories: 113kcal (6%) Carbohydrates: 25g (8%) Protein: 2g (4%) Fat: 0.2g Saturated Fat: 0.1g (1%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g Sodium: 6mg Potassium: 40mg (1%) Fiber: 0.4g (2%) Sugar: 0.1g Vitamin A: 24IU Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) Calcium: 12mg (1%) Iron: 0.3mg (2%)

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Mexican