Name: Easy Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 cup long grain white rice (jasmine or basmati work great); 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or water); 1 tablespoon butter (or olive oil); ½ teaspoon salt; 1 lime (zest + 2–3 tablespoons juice (plus more to taste)); ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro (more to taste)

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This fluffy cilantro lime rice has real lime juice and zest with fresh cilantro stirred right in. It makes a great side dish or use it as a base for your favorite Mexican-inspired dishes.

Cilantro lime rice piled in a blue bowl on a white plate with sliced limes and a patterned towel nearby.

Cilantro lime rice might just be one of my favorite rice flavors. It’s bright, zesty, and herby thanks to the fresh cilantro.

It’s so good and so easy to make. Even people who struggle making white rice on the stovetop tell me they can make this lime rice.

I started making cilantro lime rice in the instant pot years ago and switched to this stovetop version. I promise, it’s really easy!

It’s so quick and easy that I always make it for our taco nights. We keep the pantry pretty well stocked, so we usually have everything we need. Rice, broth, salt, limes, and I pick up fresh cilantro at the store.

This is same rice you’ll see at your local taco or burrito restaurant. You can serve it with fish, fajitas, burrito bowls, black beans, and of course, tacos! Once you start making cilantro lime rice at home, you may never order it from takeout again.

If you’re looking for other rice recipes, try my coconut jasmine rice and Instant Pot brown rice!

Overhead view of herb-speckled rice in a bowl with lime slices on the side and fresh cilantro on the counter.

Why this recipe works

Rinsing the rice washes off excess starch and keeps the rice from getting gummy.
It uses simple pantry staples that are inexpensive and easy to find.
Stirring in cilantro and lime at the end keeps the flavors fresh instead of being cooked off.

What you’ll need

The full recipe with the ingredient amounts is further down the page.

Long-grain white rice (jasmine or basmati both work great).
Water or low-sodium chicken broth.
Butter or olive oil.
Salt.
Lime (zest + juice).
Fresh cilantro.

Cilantro lime rice in a rustic bowl on a plate, with limes and a black bowl of whole limes behind it.

How to make cilantro lime rice on the stovetop

Rinse the rice in a fine-mesh strainer until the water runs mostly clear.

Add the rice, broth, butter, and salt to a medium pot. Bring it to a boil.

Saucepan with uncooked white rice simmering in broth with a pat of butter and salt.

Saucepan of cilantro lime rice being finished with chopped cilantro and fresh lime zest.

Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.

Remove the pot from heat and let it sit, covered, for 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork.

Stir in the lime zest, lime juice, and chopped cilantro. Taste and add a pinch more salt or extra lime juice if needed.

Tips to make sure you get fluffy rice

If your rice seems wet right after the 15-minute simmer, don’t panic. It should have a tiny bit of liquid left in the pan. The 10-minute rest is where it finishes cooking.
If it’s too dry, you likely had the heat too high or the lid wasn’t tight. Add a couple of tablespoons of water or broth and cook it for another 2-3 minutes before you let it rest.

Bowl of fluffy long-grain rice with lime wedges on the rim, with whole limes in the background.

What to serve with cilantro lime rice

There are so many ways to serve this rice. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Use it as a side on taco night. It goes great with chicken, steak, shrimp, or pork tacos. Try it as a base for burrito bowls piled with black beans or pinto beans.

Add it as a side for fajitas, grilled veggies, or roasted peppers and onions.

I also like to pair it with a tropical fish like mahi mahi or red snapper.

Optional add-ins for different flavor variations

Cilantro lime rice is pretty great as-is. If you decide to change it up, here are some tasty options:

Pico de gallo: Adds another layer of fresh flavors.
Cilantro lime crema: If you really like cilantro lime, you’ll love this combo!
Creamy avocado dressing: A drizzle of cool avocado dressing tastes amazing on this rice.
Diced jalapeños: Add some heat with diced jalapeños.
Garlic: Add some minced garlic or garlic powder while cooking for extra flavor.
Butter: Makes it a little creamier, and well, extra buttery!

Close-up of rice flecked with herbs in a bowl, surrounded by limes and a cilantro leaf on the counter.

Can I use bottled lime juice?

Fresh is better here. Bottled works in a pinch, but you’re going to need the zest anyway. Use fresh lime juice whenever possible.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

This rice freezes well, too. Place it in a freezer-safe container or bag, and it will stay good for about 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

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