If you love bright, zesty flavors, you’re in for a treat! Cilantro Lime Rice is like a mini-vacation for your tastebuds: fluffy, fragrant rice infused with citrusy lime and loads of fresh cilantro. It’s the simplest side dish that goes with absolutely everything—and thanks to the Instant Pot, it’s a game-changer for busy nights.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ridiculously Easy & Fast: The Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting, so you get fluffy rice in minutes—zero fuss, zero chance to overthink dinner.
- Big, Fresh Flavors: The combination of tangy lime and herby cilantro makes this rice bright and addictively delicious, turning any meal into a fiesta.
- Perfect Texture Every Time: No more mushy or undercooked grains—your Cilantro Lime Rice comes out tender, separate, and restaurant-perfect.
- Versatile Crowd Pleaser: This rice is the ultimate side—it pairs beautifully with tacos, grilled veggies, curries, burritos, bowls, and so much more!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of kitchen staples for Cilantro Lime Rice, and each one brings its own little spark of magic: the perfect rice canvas, a pop of citrus, a splash of richness, and loads of color. Here’s what you’ll want ready before you start cooking.
- Long grain white rice or jasmine rice: These varieties give you those gorgeously light, fluffy grains that don’t clump. No rinsing needed — extra convenient!
- Water: Just enough to gently steam the grains to perfection. Using the measured amount ensures the rice isn’t too sticky or dry.
- Olive oil: Adds richness to the rice and helps each grain stay separate and glossy.
- Kosher salt: Brings out all the flavors and keeps your rice from tasting flat.
- Lime juice: Don’t skip fresh lime—its bright acidity wakes up the rice and gives that signature zing!
- Fresh chopped cilantro: Heaps of fresh cilantro are the star, adding an herbal pop of color and lively taste.
Variations
Cilantro Lime Rice is delicious all on its own, but it’s also the most adaptable foundation for fun flavor twists! Here are a few easy ways to make it yours, whether you want a new vibe or need to work with what’s in the pantry.
- Brown rice swap: Use long grain brown rice for a more wholesome twist—just bump up the cooking time according to your Instant Pot instructions, and add extra water as needed.
- Coconut Cilantro Lime Rice: Substitute half the water with coconut milk for a creamy, tropical flavor—fantastic with curries and roasted vegetables.
- Spicy version: Toss in a pinch of chili flakes or a chopped jalapeño when cooking for a subtle heat that takes things to the next level.
- Lemon zest: If you’re out of limes, lemon juice and zest work beautifully for a similar bright note.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice
Step 1: Combine Rice, Water, Oil, and Salt
Add the uncooked rice, measured water, one teaspoon of olive oil, and salt right into your Instant Pot’s inner pot. Give everything a gentle stir to distribute the salt and keep any grains from sticking together. This quick mix is what helps season each grain from the inside out.
Step 2: Pressure Cook the Rice
Secure the lid and set your Instant Pot to cook at high pressure for just 3 minutes. Once the timer goes off, resist the urge to open it right away! Let it naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. This resting time is the magic trick that makes the rice extra fluffy, not mushy.
Step 3: Fluff and Mix in Flavor
After the natural release, carefully quick-release any remaining pressure. Open the lid and immediately fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains. In a medium bowl, combine your chopped cilantro, the juice of half a lime, and the last teaspoon of olive oil. Toss in the hot rice and fold gently until every spoonful is flecked with vivid green and tastes of sunshine.
Pro Tips for Making Cilantro Lime Rice
- Skip the Rinse: For the best texture, use the rice un-rinsed as called for—this keeps the grains slightly sticky and allows the lime and cilantro to cling to every bite.
- Zest Before You Juice: If you want an even punchier lime flavor, add a few scrapes of lime zest to the rice along with the juice and cilantro.
- Let It Rest: Don’t skip the 10-minute natural release—the steam gently finishes the rice, making it tender and not at all mushy.
- Fold, Don’t Stir: When mixing in the cilantro and lime mixture, gently fold with a spatula to avoid breaking the grains or turning your beautiful rice gluey.
How to Serve Cilantro Lime Rice
Garnishes
Top your Cilantro Lime Rice with a little extra fresh cilantro, a wedge of lime, or even a sprinkle of finely chopped green onions for extra color and crunch. A touch of flaky sea salt added right before serving makes the flavors pop in the best way.
Side Dishes
This bright, herby rice is the ultimate companion for just about anything: pair it with spicy grilled chicken, black bean tacos, shrimp fajitas, or simply tuck it into burrito bowls for an instant flavor boost. It’s also right at home next to roasted veggies or a big, colorful salad.
Creative Ways to Present
Spoon Cilantro Lime Rice into individual ramekins and invert for cute molded servings, or scatter it in the center of a big platter topped with your favorite protein and extra limes. For party vibes, serve buffet-style in a bowl loaded with toppings—everyone will want seconds!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Cilantro Lime Rice extra fresh, let it cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. It’ll stay delicious in the fridge for up to four days, ready for easy lunches or speedy dinners.
Freezing
Freeze fully cooled Cilantro Lime Rice in zip-top bags (flattened for quick thawing) or small containers. It’ll taste great for up to two months—simply thaw in the fridge overnight or in the microwave with a splash of water.
Reheating
Reheat your rice in the microwave with a wet paper towel draped on top, or steam on the stove with a splash of water. Fluff with a fork and, if you like, add another squeeze of lime and a bit of fresh cilantro to wake up the flavors all over again.
FAQs
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Can I use brown rice instead of white rice for Cilantro Lime Rice?
Absolutely! Brown rice works beautifully, but be sure to adjust the cooking time and water ratio to suit your Instant Pot guidelines for brown rice. The result will be a bit nuttier and slightly chewy—the perfect base for hearty mains.
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Do I really not need to rinse the rice?
For this recipe, skipping the rinse is intentional: you’ll get grains that are just sticky enough to hang on to the zesty lime and herbs. If you prefer a drier texture, you can rinse, but it’s not necessary—the rice won’t be mushy!
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How do I keep the cilantro flavor fresh even when making ahead?
For the brightest herby flavor, reserve a tablespoon or two of chopped cilantro and stir it in just before serving. You can also squeeze a fresh dash of lime juice into leftovers when reheating to revive that signature zing.
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Can I double the recipe in the Instant Pot?
Yes! All ingredients can be doubled without changing the cooking time. Just make sure not to fill your Instant Pot above the max line—the cook time and natural release work exactly the same for restaurant-size batches.
Final Thoughts
Don’t be surprised if this Cilantro Lime Rice becomes your new obsession—once you try it, you’ll catch yourself dreaming up all sorts of ways to serve it! Your table is about to get a whole lot brighter, so grab some limes, fresh cilantro, and your Instant Pot, and treat yourself to the vibrant, effortless deliciousness you deserve.
Print
Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice is a flavorful and aromatic side dish that pairs perfectly with a variety of main courses. The combination of fresh cilantro, zesty lime, and fluffy rice makes it a great addition to any meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup long grain white rice or jasmine (un-rinsed)
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
For Garnish:
- juice of 1/2 lime
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Add the Rice Mixture: Combine rice, water, 1 teaspoon of oil, and salt in the Instant Pot.
- Cook Under Pressure: Pressure cook on high for 3 minutes, then allow a natural release for 10 minutes.
- Fluff and Season: Release any remaining pressure, fluff the rice, and toss with cilantro, lime juice, and oil mixture.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of cilantro and lime juice based on your preference.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0.2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 0.7g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
