Cilantro Rice Recipe

Looking for an easy side dish, then look no further.

Our easy Cilantro Rice Recipe is a quickie side that never disappoints!

This flavorful and aromatic rice dish is perfect for any occasion and can be served alongside a variety of main dishes.

With just a few simple ingredients and quick preparation time, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.

Get ready to impress your family and friends with this tasty and colorful dish!

For best results, store the rice in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Cilantro Rice Recipe – Easy Side Dish To Make

Rice is perfect as a side dish served with just about any protein and can be easily dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

We love serving our Cilantro Rice with salmon, chicken, pot roast, or with smothered pork chops, etc. 

Using either brown or white long-grain rice, this flavorful blend of fresh lime zest and cilantro stems will be the perfect addition to your homemade burrito bowls or as a side to your seasoned beans.

You can cook it on the stove top in a large saucepan or in an electric pressure cooker, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Either way, the cooking time is minimal, and the best part is the fluffy texture of the tender rice.

What You Will Need

Rice. We love Jasmine rice, but any long-grain rice will do. 

Water or Chicken Stock. Instead of water, I like to use chicken stock or broth because it adds more flavor to the rice. Filtered water works fine too. 

Salt. A little bit of salt goes a long way and adds a bit of flavor to the cooked rice. 

Butter & Cilantro. We finish the rice with a little butter and fresh cilantro. Don’t like cilantro? No worries, you can also use fresh rosemary, thyme, sweet basil, savory oregano, or French tarragon. 

Cooking Rice On The Stovetop

We got you if you are old school or prefer cooking your rice on the stovetop. Here is how we do it!

Makes 6 cups of rice (use 1 cup of rice, 1/2 tsp of kosher salt, and 1 1/4 of water to make 3 cups of rice)

• 2 cups of rice (this recipe works for long-grain and short-grain rice)
• 1 tsp of kosher salt

Directions:

1. Place the rice in a pot and rinse the rice off several times until the water is clear.
2. Place the pot with the rinsed rice on the stovetop, and add your liquid of choice ( about 2 1/2 cups) over the rice until it is covered with the stock or broth. You can use water or, my favorite, chicken stock or broth. Adding chicken stock or broth is a great way to add another dimension of flavor to the rice. You can also use bone stock or vegetable stock.
3. Give the rice a gentle stir or two. Adjust the heat to high and bring the rice to a boil; let the rice boil for no longer than one (1) minute. Adjust the heat to its lowest setting and place a tight-fitting lid onto the pot.
4. Cook the rice without removing the lid for 17-18 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. 

To make our simple cilantro lime rice recipe, add two (2) tablespoons of unsalted butter to the cooked rice and 1/3 cup of chopped fresh cilantro, and continue to fluff.

Drizzle 2-3 tablespoons of fresh lime juice (optional) over the rice before serving. 

Other ways to cook rice

• Instant Pots are great for cooking rice, but not everyone has an Instant Pot. 
• Rice Cooker. Long before Instant Pots, there were rice cookers, which were just as easy to use as an Instant Pot to cook rice. These are our favorites:
  • DASH Mini Rice Cooker Steamer this little number is budget-friendly and cooks rice perfectly
  • Zojirushi Rice Cooker is perfect for those who want a multi-purpose rice cooker/appliance that does it all. 

How to make rice in the Instant Pot?

1. Rinse the rice under cool water (or chicken stock) until the water runs clear, removing any excess starch.
2. Add the rice to the Instant Pot along with the water, olive oil or butter, and salt.
3. Close the lid and turn the valve to the sealing position.
4. Set the Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for 4 minutes for white rice, 22 minutes for brown rice, and 3 minutes for sushi rice.
5. Once the cooking time is complete, let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes. After that, you can release any remaining pressure manually.
6. Open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.

Tips:

• Use a 1:1 water-to-rice ratio for firmer rice or a 1.5:1 water-to-rice ratio for softer rice.
• You can add other seasonings or ingredients like broth, coconut milk, herbs, or vegetables to the Instant Pot for added flavor.
• Be sure to adjust the cooking time based on the type of rice you are using.

How to make rice in a Rice Cooker?

1. Rinse the rice under cool water (or chicken broth or stock) until the water runs clear, removing any excess starch.
2. Add the rinsed rice to the rice cooker.
3. Add water to the rice cooker, using a 1.5:1 ratio of water to rice. If you want softer rice, you can increase the water to 1.75:1.
4. Add a pinch of salt and a tablespoon of butter or oil, if desired.
5. Close the lid and turn on the rice cooker.
6. Allow the rice to cook until the cooker switches off, indicating that the rice is done. Depending on the type of rice, this may take 20-30 minutes.
7. Once the rice is cooked, let it rest in the rice cooker for 5-10 minutes to allow it to steam and absorb any excess moisture.
8. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve.

Tips:

• Use the measuring cup with your rice cooker to measure the rice and water. The ratios may differ depending on the size and model of your rice cooker.
• If your rice cooker has different settings for different types of rice, adjust the setting accordingly.
• Keep the rice covered and in a warm setting in the rice cooker until ready to serve.

How long will rice last in the fridge?

Cooked rice at room temperature can last in the fridge for up to five (5) days.

Store any leftover rice in an airtight container or freezer-safe container.

However, if the rice smells off, starts to develop mold, and you see any bugs on cooked or uncooked rice, throw it away. 

 What is the best way to store uncooked rice? 

To prevent contamination, uncooked rice should be placed in the freezer for eight (8) hours or overnight; freezing rice is an easy way to kill unhatched eggs or larvae in your rice. 

I want to store my uncooked rice; what are the best containers?

The best containers for uncooked rice are metal or glass containers.

Thick BPA-grade plastic containers are an excellent choice too.

Avoid storing uncooked rice in cardboard or thin plastic bags because vermin can easily chew through these containers. 

What recipes pair well with Cilantro Rice?

We love making Cilantro Rice as a side dish because it goes well with so many different types of main dishes. Here are a few ideas:

1. Grilled chicken or steak: Cilantro rice is a great side dish to serve alongside grilled meats. The fresh, zesty flavor of the rice helps balance the meat’s richness.
2. Fish tacos: Cilantro rice is a perfect accompaniment to fish tacos. The bright flavors of the rice complement the fresh, tangy flavors of the fish and salsa.
3. Black bean soup: Cilantro rice is a great side dish to serve with black bean soup. The flavors of the rice and beans work well together, and the rice adds a nice texture to the soup.
4. Roasted vegetables: Cilantro rice can also be served as a side dish with roasted vegetables. The earthy flavors of the vegetables pair well with the bright, fresh flavors of the rice.
5. Mexican dishes: Cilantro rice is a classic side dish for many Mexican-inspired dishes, such as enchiladas, burritos, or fajitas. The rice adds a burst of flavor and color to these dishes.
6. Salmon dishes pair well with a side dish like Cilantro Rice. Try these recipes: Air Fryer Salmon Recipe with Cilantro Lime Salmon Tacos + Watermelon Slaw
7. Additional sides dishes work well with this rice recipe: Easy Fried Cabbage Recipe

What are some other ways to use this Cilantro Rice Recipe?

Cilantro lime rice pairs well with seasoned black beans, sour cream, or fresh ingredients like diced tomatoes or avocado.

You can also use it as a great base for a variety of delicious side dishes like green rice or chipotle cilantro lime rice.

Add some lemon juice for extra citrus flavor, or try using different types of rice for a new twist on this simple side dish.

And don’t forget to garnish with fresh cilantro leaves for a burst of fresh herb flavor!

Looking for an easy and delicious side dish to serve with your Mexican meal? Try this simple cilantro lime rice recipe!

Using either brown or white long-grain rice, this flavorful blend of fresh lime zest and cilantro stems will be the perfect addition to your homemade burrito bowls or as a side to your seasoned beans.

You can cook it on the stove top in a large saucepan or in an electric pressure cooker, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Either way, the cooking time is minimal, and the best part is the fluffy texture of the tender rice. Enjoy! 

Find more Rice Recipes below:

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Dinner Idea

Lamb, Rice Vegetable Skewers

Jasmine Rice with Mixed Vegetables 

Marinara Rice