If you’re searching for a gluten-free option to spice up your meals, look no further than cilantro lime rice. This rice recipe is easy to make. It mixes fresh cilantro and zesty lime with aromatic long-grain rice, like Jasmine or basmati, creating a flavorful side dish. It’s perfect for vegans or anyone looking for a tasty addition to their meal. You can add it to a homemade burrito bowl or enjoy it by itself. This recipe is sure to make your meals more exciting.
Key Takeaways
- This cilantro lime rice recipe is vegan and gluten-free.
- Use long-grain white Jasmine or basmati rice for the best results.
- Prep time is just 5 minutes, with a total cooking time of 20 minutes.
- Best served fresh, but leftovers store well in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Rated 5 stars by 103 people, making it a trusted favorite.
Introduction to Cilantro Lime Rice
Cilantro lime rice adds a fresh twist to usual rice dishes. It’s a versatile side that goes well with many meals. It’s quick to make, perfect for a speedy addition to your dinner. You can serve it with Mexican side dishes or add zing to Asian-inspired meals. It easily becomes a key part of your cooking.
This rice is simple yet adaptable. It can pair with crispy sesame tofu or fit perfectly in a homemade burrito bowl. The mix of cilantro and lime makes any meal special. This blend turns simple rice into the star of your plate.
You can also make cilantro lime rice ahead of time. Store it in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. It’s great for quick meals or planning ahead. Reheat it with a bit of water and steam back to deliciousness.
It’s not just tasty but also healthy. Each serving has about 87 calories and lots of Vitamins A and C. So, it’s a guilt-free side dish. Plus, cilantro lime rice encourages you to be creative in the kitchen. Try it with different dishes from around the world.
Ingredients You’ll Need
If you adore cilantro lime rice, making it at home is easy. You’ll need a few simple things. Most of these items are probably already in your kitchen. This makes creating this tasty dish both easy and convenient.
Main Ingredients
- Long-grain jasmine rice: Approximately 280g of jasmine rice provides the perfect base, known for its fragrant aroma and slightly sticky texture.
- Onion: Include 1 small finely chopped onion, which weighs about 70 grams, to add a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Garlic: Two cloves of garlic, minced (around 2 teaspoons), offer an aromatic boost that pairs beautifully with cilantro fresh.
- Liquid: You’ll need about 530ml of water, vegetable broth, or chicken broth for cooking the rice.
- Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice (around 3 tablespoons) is essential for that bright, tangy zing that defines this dish.
- Cilantro: Approximately 30g of fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems, finely chopped, to infuse the rice with its iconic flavor.
Optional Ingredients
To make your cilantro lime rice even better, you might add these:
- Kosher Salt: Use about 1 teaspoon to enhance the overall taste.
- Sea Salt: For a different type of seasoning that can add a unique touch.
- Jalapeños or Red Pepper Flakes: If you like a bit of heat, these can be added to your taste.
- Broth-based Variations: Use chicken broth or vegetable broth instead of water to add an extra layer of flavor.
- Zest of Lime: Incorporating zest from about 2 limes can intensify the citrusy essence of the lime juice.
With these ingredients, get ready for a tasty and aromatic cilantro lime rice. You can tweak the recipe to make it just right for you.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cilantro Lime Rice
This guide will teach you how to make tasty cilantro lime rice. We’ll start by learning how to cook jasmine rice right. It should be fluffy and full of flavor.
Cooking the Rice
You’ll start by rinsing the jasmine rice. Rinsing gets rid of extra starch for a fluffier rice. Rinse under cold water till it’s clear, about two minutes.
- Measure out 1 ½ cups of uncooked jasmine rice.
- Pour the rice into a fine mesh strainer. Rinse well.
Next, choose how you want to cook your rice:
- Stovetop method: Combine the rice and 3 cups of broth in a pot. Boil, then simmer for 18-20 minutes. Don’t stir too much.
- Rice cooker method: Use your rice cooker as directed, with the same amounts of rice and broth.
- Instant Pot method: Cook on high for 4 minutes. Then let it release naturally.
Tossing with Flavor
Now, let’s add some taste to your rice. When the rice is hot, mix in zest and spice.
- Cook diced yellow onion and garlic in butter and olive oil till clear.
- Mix this with the cooked rice, stirring gently.
- Zest two limes over the rice. This adds a bright flavor.
Let’s add the finishing touches:
- Squeeze in 2-3 tablespoons of fresh lime juice.
- Season with salt.
- Add chopped cilantro leaves and some stems.
- Optional: For extra flavor, put in some olive oil or diced jalapeños.
Use this guide to bring out the best in your cilantro lime rice. Enjoy your delicious side dish!
Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
Making cilantro lime rice at home is simple and brings great taste. You can easily prepare this tasty side dish with a few steps.
- Makes: 4 servings
- Prep Time: 05 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Calories per serving: 275
- Total Carbohydrates per serving: 50g
- Protein per serving: 5g
- Fat per serving: 5g
- Rinse 2 cups of long-grain white rice well under cold water.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil on medium. Add 1/2 cup onion and 2 teaspoons minced garlic, and cook until they smell good.
- Put the rinsed rice in the pot and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
- Add 4 cups of water or chicken broth. Chicken broth makes it more flavorful.
- Boil, then simmer on low for 15 minutes with a cover. Tip: Don’t stir it.
- After 15 minutes, take it off the heat but keep it covered for 5 more minutes.
- Stir in lime juice and zest. Also add salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix in 1 cup of fresh cilantro.
- Serve it warm and enjoy!
Let’s look at the costs and nutritional info for cilantro lime rice per serving:
| Ingredient | Cost | Nutritional Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| 2 cups long-grain white rice | $0.52 | 100g Carbs, 10g Protein, 10g Fat |
| 3 cups chicken broth | $0.32 | Enhances flavor, brings richness |
| ½ bunch fresh cilantro | $0.75 | Adds freshness, rich in antioxidants |
| 1 lime | $0.59 | Rich in Vitamin C, adds zest |
| 2 tablespoons olive oil | $0.32 | Keeps rice from sticking, adds healthy fats |
This simple cilantro lime rice recipe is not hard to make. It adds a tasty burst of flavor to any meal. Enjoy the benefits and great taste with each bite!
Variations on Cilantro Lime Rice
Trying different kinds of rice can make your cilantro lime rice even better. Adding some spice can turn it into a must-try dish. We will look into various recipe variations that suit many tastes and needs.
Using Different Types of Rice
Using brown rice instead of white changes the flavor to nuttier and adds nutrients. You can also mix in cauliflower rice for a lighter, low-carb option. These changes keep the classic flavor while offering new tastes.
Spicy Version
If you like it hot, try the spicy cilantro lime rice. Add diced jalapeños or some red pepper flakes for a spicy touch. This makes it perfect with grilled dishes or colorful salads. It’s easy to adjust the spice to fit your taste.
With these recipe variations, you get a new take on a beloved side dish. This caters to various diets and flavor likings.
Serving Suggestions
Cilantro lime rice is very versatile, perfect for many recipes. It’s great with both Mexican-inspired meal and Asian dishes. It makes any main dish taste better.
Try it with Mexican foods like enchiladas, taquitos, and burritos. Setting up a taco bar? Include toppings like black beans and guacamole. It lets everyone make their own favorite meal.
Cilantro lime rice also works great in a burrito bowl. Add chicken, tofu, or tempeh for protein. Its bright flavors bring everything together.
For an Asian twist, use it as a base for a sushi bowl. Add avocado, fish, cucumber, and soy sauce. It’s a fresh, fun option.
Quick facts about cilantro lime rice for meal planning are below:
| Total Time (minutes) | Servings | Calories per serving | Protein (g) | Carbohydrates (g) | Fat (g) | Saturated Fat (g) | Cholesterol (mg) | Sodium (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 4 bowls | 530 | 30 | 67 | 17 | 3 | 54 | 662 |
| 30 | Varies | 271 | 4.6 | 50 | 5.2 | — | — | — |
Storing this rice is simple. Keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for a month. It’s ready when you are!
Feel free to add things like avocado or salsa to make it your own. Cilantro lime rice can be the start of both Mexican meals and sushi bowls. Explore and enjoy!
Why This Recipe is Better Than Chipotle’s
This cilantro lime rice recipe is a cut above Chipotle’s. The attention to detail in choosing each ingredient is key. You can adjust the lime zest, lime juice, and cilantro to fit your taste. This makes it more tailored than Chipotle’s set recipe.
The rice used here is high-quality and organic. Fast food often has preservatives, but here, each rice grain is washed in cold water. This gets rid of extra starch, making the rice fluffy and not sticky.
A knob of butter is used to sauté the rice, giving it a rich pilaf-like texture. Fresh garlic, salt, chicken bouillon, and cilantro make every bite flavorful. The cooking time is just right for different types of rice, ensuring it’s tender.
This recipe is also very versatile. You can make it vegetarian by using vegetable bouillon. It pairs well with dishes like Chicken Tinga bowls and shrimp fajitas. It’s a great addition to many meals.
Adding cilantro stems brings a unique flavor boost. Including spinach adds a bright green color without changing the taste. This makes the rice both tastier and more attractive.
The cooking process, including toasting the rice in butter and olive oil and adding lime, creates a citrus-infused dish. It’s perfect with grilled meats or Mexican and Asian cuisines. This homemade rice makes any meal feel special.
| Aspect | Homemade Version | Chipotle’s Version |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredient Customization | Highly customizable | Fixed |
| Quality of Ingredients | High-quality, organic | Standard, preservatives |
| Flavor Profile | Rich and diverse | Consistent but limited |
| Texture | Fluffy, pilaf-like | Often sticky |
| Versatility | Pairs with multiple dishes | Limited pairings |
| Appearance | Vibrant, green | Standard |
Tips for Storing Leftovers
To keep cilantro lime rice tasty for later, here are easy storage and reheating tips. These tips help your food last longer, cut down on waste, and make every spoonful just as good as the first.
How to Store
Keep cilantro lime rice fresh by storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. It’s best kept for up to 4 days. This keeps the rice’s flavor and texture perfect. About 1.4 billion metric tons of food gets wasted yearly, so good storage is key to less waste.
Let the rice cool before refrigerating to stop condensation. This keeps your rice from getting soggy. Chilling it for a few hours or overnight helps too, especially before reheating.
Reheating Tips
Reheat leftovers carefully to bring back the rice’s fluffiness and taste. Use the microwave for 1-2 minutes or the stovetop for 2-3 minutes. To avoid dry rice, add a little water or broth.
In the microwave, cover the rice with a damp towel to keep it moist. On the stovetop, stir the rice over medium heat. Add a little water or oil if it seems dry.
Following these storing and reheating tips means enjoying cilantro lime rice for days. Good storage not only saves flavor but also reduces waste. It’s a step towards eating sustainably.
Conclusion
The cilantro lime rice recipe is a perfect side dish. It enhances many main courses with its flavors. Its easy prep and vibrant taste make it a must-have in your cooking list.
The dish is great for meal prep, improving your dinners easily. Use grapeseed, olive, or avocado oil for different tastes. Tips like rinsing rice and adjusting water help get that tender rice. Learn more about crafting the perfect rice on different methods of cooking cilantro lime.
This recipe invites you to try new flavors. Add black or pinto beans, or spice it up with jalapeños. It works with Mexican enchiladas, Asian meals, or as a base for burrito bowls. For more variations, check out the vegan option with black beans or find an authentic recipe here.
In closing, keep enjoying and tweaking this cilantro lime rice recipe. Its versatility turns any meal from simple to amazing. Happy cooking!
FAQ
Can I use other types of rice instead of jasmine?
Yes, you can use various types of rice. Try basmati, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice for a lighter option. Each kind adds a unique texture and flavor.
Is cilantro lime rice gluten-free?
Yes, cilantro lime rice is gluten-free. It uses simple ingredients like rice, cilantro, and lime. Make sure any extras you add are gluten-free too.
How spicy can I make this rice?
Adjust the spice level to your liking. Add diced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or chili peppers. Begin with a little, then add more as needed.
What dishes pair well with cilantro lime rice?
It goes great with many dishes. Try it with crispy sesame tofu, enchiladas, taquitos, or in burrito bowls. It fits well with both Mexican and Asian meals.
How do I store leftover cilantro lime rice?
Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays good for 3-4 days.
How should I reheat the cilantro lime rice?
Reheat it using a microwave or stove. Add some water or broth to keep it moist and fluffy. Stir occasionally to heat it evenly.
Why is the homemade version better than Chipotle’s?
Homemade cilantro lime rice is better because you can pick fresh ingredients. You can also adjust the flavors as you like, without preservatives or artificial additives.
Can I make this recipe vegan-friendly?
Yes, cilantro lime rice is vegan-friendly. Just make sure any added toppings or sides are vegan too.
What’s the best way to add flavor to the rice?
For more flavor, add lime zest, garlic, and scallions while the rice is hot. This makes the rice absorb the aromatic ingredients, enhancing its taste.