This simple Cilantro Lime Rice combines fluffy basmati rice with sautéed garlic, fresh cilantro, and zesty lime. It’s ready in under 30 minutes and can be an easy vegan side dish that’s perfect for healthy meal prep, tacos, burrito bowls, and more.

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Even though plain rice will get the job done, Cilantro Lime Rice makes meals a whole lot more exciting. With fresh cilantro, plenty of lime, and a little garlic, this easy side dish brings some serious flavor to your dinner table.

This recipe comes together in one pot with fluffy basmati rice and a handful of simple ingredients. It’s ready in under 30 minutes, making it an easy option for busy weeknights, vegan meal prep, or any time your usual rice routine could use a fun upgrade.

Use this Cilantro Lime Rice as a base for burrito bowls, top it with your go-to plant-based proteins, or serve it with saucy mains as a fresh, flavorful side. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Why you’ll love this Cilantro Lime Rice

It comes together in under 30 minutes and is made with a handful of basic pantry ingredients.
It pairs effortlessly with almost anything, from curries to burrito bowls.
It upgrades plain rice without any complicated steps or techniques.
It’s bright, fresh, and super flavorful.
It transforms simple rice into something restaurant-worthy.

Cilantro Lime Rice ingredients

Basmati rice forms the light, fluffy base of the dish. Other varieties of rice will also work, but be sure to adjust the liquid and cooking time as needed.
Olive oil is used to toast the rice and sauté the garlic.
Garlic gives the rice an extra boost of flavor.
Lime zest brings a bright citrusy aroma to this recipe, along with a concentrated lime flavor.
Lime juice adds acidity and a tangy, vibrant finish.
Cilantro delivers fresh, herby flavor with a fun pop of color.

How to serve this Cilantro Lime Rice

Enjoy alongside tacos, burrito bowls, or enchiladas for a bright and flavorful base.
Top with grilled tofu, tempeh, or chickpeas for a protein-packed meal.
Use it as a base for bowls, topped with avocado, greens, and your favorite sauce.
Serve with curries, stews, or saucy mains to balance rich flavors with a fresh, citrusy side.

Substitutions & variations

Basmati rice – You can swap in another long-grain white rice if you prefer, such as jasmine rice. Keep in mind that the amount of water and cooking time may vary, so be sure to adjust as needed.
Olive oil – Feel free to substitute with your go-to oil or fat, like avocado oil or butter.
Limes – Fresh lime juice and zest can help maximize the flavor in this recipe, but bottled lime juice works in a pinch. Use about 4 tablespoons (or 1/4 cup) lime juice.
Cilantro – Cilantro is a key ingredient in this recipe (hence the name!), but if you don’t love it, you can use chopped parsley or green onions instead for a similar pop of color and freshness.
Spice it up – Add a diced jalapeño, a pinch of cayenne, or some crushed red pepper flakes to give this recipe a little heat.
Add veggies – Stir in corn, peas, diced bell peppers, or chopped spinach for extra color and nutrients.
Boost the protein – Mix in black beans, pinto beans, chickpeas, or shelled edamame to make it more filling.

Quick recipe tips

Rinse the rice well before cooking to remove excess starch and keep it light and fluffy.

Let the rice rest, covered, for a few minutes after cooking so it finishes steaming and fluffs easily.

Stir in the cilantro off the heat to keep its color and fresh flavor intact.

Step-by-step instructions

Rinse rice: Rinse basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
Sauté garlic: Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat and cook the garlic until fragrant, being careful not to brown it.

Toast rice: Add the rinsed rice and stir to coat in the oil, toasting lightly for extra flavor.
Add liquid and flavor: Pour in water, lime juice, lime zest, and salt, then stir to combine everything evenly.
Cook rice: Bring to a boil, reduce to low heat, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
Rest rice: Remove from heat and let it sit covered for a few minutes to finish steaming.
Fluff and finish: Fluff with a fork and gently stir in chopped cilantro just before serving.

Make ahead & storage

This Cilantro Lime Rice is easy to make in advance for meal prep or quick weeknight dinners. Whip up a big batch ahead of time and reheat individual portions as needed throughout the week.

Meal prep

Cook it ahead: Prepare the rice up to 4 days in advance and let it cool before transferring it to an airtight container.
Portion it out: Divide the rice into individual containers with beans, tofu, or roasted vegetables for easy grab-and-go meals.

Storing leftovers

Fridge: Refrigerate any leftover Cilantro Lime Rice in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Cool it promptly: Don’t leave cooked rice at room temperature for more than 2 hours. This can encourage the growth of bacteria and increase the risk of foodborne illness.
Reheat: Add a splash of water, cover, and microwave until steaming hot, stirring halfway through.

Freezing

Freeze: Transfer the cooled rice to an airtight freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw and reheat: Thaw overnight in the fridge or reheat directly from frozen, adding a bit of water as needed to restore moisture.

FAQ

Basmati rice works best for a light, fluffy texture, but jasmine or long-grain rice are great alternatives.

Yes, you can omit it or substitute with parsley for a slightly different (but still fresh and delicious) flavor.

Yes, it stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days and can be reheated with a splash of water to restore moisture.

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More side dish recipes

Simple Cilantro Lime Rice

This easy Cilantro Lime Rice is made with fluffy basmati rice, sautéed garlic, fresh lime juice and zest, and cilantro for a bright, flavorful side dish that comes together in under 30 minutes!

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Mexican

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 20

Total Time 25

Servings servings

Calories 205kcal

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked basmati rice rinsed
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic minced
1 1/2 cups water
2 limes zested and juiced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup cilantro chopped

Instructions

Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add the rinsed rice and stir to coat it in the garlic oil. Cook for 1-2 minutes to lightly toast the rice.
Add the water, lime zest, lime juice, and salt. Stir to combine.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15-18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
Remove from the heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes.
Fluff the rice with a fork and gently stir in the chopped cilantro. Serve warm.