This easy cilantro lime rice recipe is made with just five ingredients. It’s light, fresh, and perfect as a side dish or for burrito bowls, tacos, and burritos. It comes together in about 30 minutes and tastes even better than takeout.
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This cilantro lime rice is made with just a handful of simple ingredients: rice, butter, salt, fresh cilantro, lime juice, and lime zest.
I use it in my copycat Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl and serve it alongside some of my favorite Mexican-inspired meals, like Chicken & Black Bean Burritos and Baked Chicken Tacos.
It’s fresh, bright, and full of flavor. One of my favorite things about this recipe is how inexpensive it is—you can make a whole batch for less than $2.
Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
- Rice: Long-grain white rice works best. I haven’t tested this recipe with brown rice or other varieties.
- Lime: I usually need about 2 medium limes for the juice and zest, but you may only need 1 large lime.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds the best flavor. I don’t recommend dried cilantro for this recipe.
- Butter: Salted or unsalted butter both work. If using salted butter, you may want to decrease the salt slightly.
- Salt: Adjust to taste after stirring in the lime juice and cilantro.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Made with just 5 simple ingredients.
- Ready in about 30 minutes.
- Light, fresh, and full of bright flavor.
- Perfect for burrito bowls, tacos, burritos, or as an easy side dish.
- Budget-friendly and easy to make at home.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice
Here’s a quick overview of the main steps. Scroll (or jump) to the recipe card below for detailed instructions.
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Cook the rice with the butter and salt until tender.
Add the lime juice, lime zest, and cilantro, then fluff with a fork to combine.
Tips for Making Homemade Cilantro Lime Rice
- Use a 2-quart saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. This helps the rice cook evenly and keeps the steam from escaping.
- Don’t lift the lid while the rice cooks. The trapped steam is what cooks the rice properly.
- Keep the heat on low. A gentle simmer allows the rice to absorb the liquid without scorching.
- Let the rice rest for 10 minutes. Once it’s done cooking, remove it from the heat and let it sit, covered, before fluffing with a fork.
- Don’t get discouraged if it isn’t perfect the first time. Every stove cooks a little differently. If the rice isn’t tender or the liquid cooks away too quickly, lower the heat slightly the next time you make it.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Reheating: Microwave with a splash of water, if needed, to help restore moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is made with long-grain white rice, water, butter, salt, fresh cilantro, lime juice, and lime zest. A handful of simple ingredients creates a fresh, flavorful side dish that’s perfect with tacos, burritos, and burrito bowls.
No. Add the cilantro, lime juice, and lime zest after the rice has finished cooking and rested. This keeps the cilantro fresh and the lime flavor bright instead of becoming dull during cooking.
Mexican rice is typically made with tomatoes and savory spices, giving it a reddish color and bold flavor. Cilantro lime rice is a lighter side dish flavored with fresh cilantro, lime juice, lime zest, butter, and salt.
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Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
Instructions
- Add the water, rice, butter, and salt to a 2-quart saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.2 cups water, 1 cup long grain white rice, 1 tablespoon butter, ½ teaspoon salt
- Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 18 minutes. Do not stir or lift the lid.
- Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes.
- While the rice rests, chop the cilantro and juice and zest the lime.
- Add the cilantro, lime juice, and lime zest. Fluff gently with a fork until well combined.2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 1 teaspoon lime zest
About Mindy
Mindy has been cooking for over 30 years, starting as a young mother who learned how to create delicious meals on a budget. Today, she shares approachable recipes made with everyday ingredients that are easy, affordable, and family-friendly. Her goal is to show that great food doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.