This Cilantro Lime Rice recipe, made in the Instant Pot, is a super simple weeknight side dish. Use it with tacos, burritos, enchilads and so much more.
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Cilantro Lime Rice is SO simple to make at home but it feels a little fancy. Those are definitely my kind of weeknight meals.
Like, no I didn’t just make you plain white rice family, I stirred in a few extra ingredients because I love you. Boom. You’re a hero.
There are so many ways to serve and devour this Cilantro Lime Rice. It is delicious packed into a burrito, as a base for a taco bowl or as a side. I especially love it with my mom’s shredded beef.
Ingredient List
The ingredient list for this rice is short and sweet. You literally need rice, cilantro, a juicy lime and a sprinkle of salt.
We’re using the lime two ways, the juice and the zest, to ensure the rice has a major punch of lime flavor.
Add the lime juice to the rice and water before cooking so it will simmer away in the citrusy liquid. After the rice is perfectly tender and fluffy, stir in the lime zest and chopped cilantro.
Waiting to add the zest after the cooking process helps keep the lime flavor fresh and vibrant. Stirring the zest into the hot rice also helps release the oils from the zest which is where the majority of citrus flavor lives.
Cooking Instructions
Like I said above, combine the rice, water, lime juice and salt in your Instant Pot. Seal it up and set it to cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.
Once it’s done cooking, let it release the pressure naturally for 10 minutes than turn the valve carefully to release any remaining pressure.
Stir in the chopped cilantro and lime zest and serve. It’s kind of the easiest.
Can I Make Cilantro Lime Rice on the Stove Top?
Yes! I know some of you haven’t been converted to all things Instant Pot so I’ve included the instructions for both the Instant Pot and stove top.
The two things that change are the amount of water and the cook time which are both increased for the stove top version.
What to Serve with Cilantro Lime Rice:
Cilantro Lime Rice
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 cup white rice
- 3/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. water
- 2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 large lime, zested
- 2 Tbsp. fresh chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Add rice, water, lime juice and salt to the Instant Pot. Seal and set to cook on manual high pressure for 4 minutes. Let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes than force remaining pressure out by turning the valve. Stir in the lime zest and cilantro.
- For the stove top: increase the water to 1 3/4 cups + 2 tablespoons. Add rice, water, lime juice and salt to a saucepan. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook 20 minutes. Stir in lime zest and cilantro.
