Cilantro Lime Rice (Print Version)

A zesty rice dish with fresh cilantro, lime juice, and buttery richness, ideal for vibrant meals.

# What You'll Need:

→ Rice

01 - 1 cup long-grain white rice (basmati or jasmine)
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Flavorings

05 - 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
07 - 1 teaspoon lime zest
08 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional, for finishing)

# How to Make It:

01 - Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
02 - Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in the rice, 1 tablespoon butter, and salt.
03 - Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes until the rice is tender and water is absorbed.
04 - Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
05 - Fluff rice with a fork, then gently stir in cilantro, lime juice, and lime zest.
06 - For richness, fold in an additional tablespoon of butter, if desired.
07 - Serve the rice warm.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It's ready in 30 minutes, making weeknight tacos and grilled chicken feel restaurant-quality.
  • The cilantro and lime are so vibrant that even picky eaters ask for seconds.
  • One pot means cleanup is painless, and the rice reheats beautifully.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice—the difference between cloudy starch and fluffy, separate grains is worth the 30 seconds.
  • Add the cilantro and lime after cooking, never before—heat destroys their fresh brightness and turns them muted and bitter.
03 -
  • Zest the lime before you juice it—once it's cut, the zest is harder to remove cleanly.
  • If your cilantro tastes soapy to you, a quick soak in ice water for a few minutes can mellow the flavor slightly before chopping.
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