Cilantro Lime Rice (Printable version)

Fluffy rice infused with fresh cilantro and zesty lime—ready in 30 minutes.

# What you need:

→ Rice Base

01 - 1 cup long-grain white rice (Basmati or Jasmine)
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Flavorings

05 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
06 - Zest of 1 lime
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (approximately 1 lime)
08 - 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)

# Steps to follow:

01 - Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
02 - In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic (if using) and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add the rinsed rice and stir to coat the grains evenly with oil.
04 - Pour in the water and add the salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–18 minutes until rice is tender and water is fully absorbed.
05 - Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes to allow moisture to redistribute.
06 - Fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in the lime zest, lime juice, and chopped cilantro until evenly distributed.
07 - Taste and adjust salt or lime juice as needed. Serve warm as a side dish.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • The lime and cilantro wake up plain rice in under thirty minutes
  • It transforms any taco night or bowl dinner into something special
02 -
  • Adding lime juice before the rice rests can make it gummy, so wait until the end
  • Fresh cilantro loses potency quickly, so add it right before serving
03 -
  • Roll your lime on the counter before cutting to maximize juice
  • A microplane gives the finest zest without bitter white pith
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