🍳DailyRecipes
Dinner

Easy Cilantro Lime Rice

This bright and zesty rice is the perfect side dish for all your favorite taco nights.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 Mexican· July 20, 2026
Easy Cilantro Lime Rice
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
5 minutes
Cook
25 minutes
Total
30 minutes
Serves
4

There is something so special about the way lime and cilantro wake up a bowl of fluffy white rice. It is one of those simple recipes that makes any homemade burrito bowl taste like it came straight from a restaurant kitchen.

My biggest tip for this recipe is to wait until the rice is fully cooked before you stir in the herbs and citrus. Adding them at the very end keeps the cilantro bright green and the lime juice tasting fresh instead of cooked down.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup long grain white rice
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest

Instructions

  1. 1

    Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then drain it well.

  2. 2

    Bring the water, butter, and salt to a boil in a medium pot.

  3. 3

    Add the rice to the pot, then cover with a tight fitting lid and reduce the heat to low.

  4. 4

    Simmer the rice for about 18 minutes or until all the water is absorbed.

  5. 5

    Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes.

  6. 6

    Fluff the rice gently with a fork and stir in the chopped cilantro, lime juice, and lime zest before serving.

💡 Tips

You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. If you find the rice gets a bit dry after chilling, just add a tiny splash of water or a squeeze of fresh lime juice when you reheat it.

#side dish#vegetarian#easy recipe#rice

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