Cilantro Lime Rice (2-ways!)

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Make this cilantro lime rice for an easy and flavorful addition to any of your favorite meals!

If you like Chipotle’s cilantro lime rice, you are going to love this dish! You can make it with white rice or brown rice and it’s great for meal prep.

Cilantro lime rice in a bowl.
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One thing I never skimp on when I am in line at Chipotle is their cilantro rice! Whether it is their cilantro brown rice or cilantro white rice, I am game. I am a rice girl.

Now you don’t have to leave your house to pick up a burrito bowl from Chipotle (say what?!). You can make it in the comfort of your own home. Make a batch of cilantro lime rice and serve it in this beef taco bowl or these vegetarian rice bowls!

White Rice or Brown Rice?

Do you prefer white rice or brown rice? It’s ok to like them both! We like the bite that brown rice has and we love starchy long grain white rice, it’s a classic! But what is the difference between the two?

Brown Rice: Brown rice comes in a long grain or a short grain! It is a whole grain that still has it’s nutritious germ and fibrous bran! It tends to have a little bit more of an earthy flavor.

White Rice: White rice also comes in many different shapes and sizes. The main difference between white rice and brown rice is that the white rice is stripped of its bran and germ. White rice has less fiber and is a bit easier to digest!

No matter what type of rice you choose, they both taste great with fresh cilantro and lime juice.

Brown Rice and White Rice in a pot.

How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice

Does anyone else have a hard time making perfect rice on the stove? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! The trick to perfect rice is to get your water ratio right and then don’t forget it once you’ve turned your heat down for the rice to simmer.

Making cilantro brown rice and cilantro white rice is as easy as 1-2-3 once you nail down the rice!

Begin by bringing 2 cups of water and one cup of rice to a boil. Once the rice has started to boil, turn your heat to low, cover with the lid and let the rice simmer for 35-40 minutes.

Here’s a tip –> Sometimes I make sure that my burner isn’t running hot by checking on the rice ever 15 to 20 minutes.

When the rice has absorbed all of the liquid in the pot, remove it from the heat and pour rice into a mixing bowl and fluff it with a fork. Then let the rice cool completely in the fridge for about 30 minutes.

Finally, add the garlic powder, lime juice, cilantro, and salt to the rice and mix well!

Get creative –> If you want to make this cilantro rice your own, go ahead and add in other fun spices! You can add a little heat by adding red pepper flakes or hot sauce! Or amp up the lime flavor by adding lime zest.

You could also make your cilantro lime rice a little creamy by adding a couple tablespoons of greek yogurt to your rice! The options are endless.

Every step for making cilantro lime rice in bowls.
A white bowl with shrimp, rice and vegetables.

try it!

Cilantro Lime Shrimp Bowls

Packed with succulent shrimp, zesty cilantro lime crema, and a medley of fresh ingredients, these cilantro lime shrimp bowls are a delicious blend of flavors and textures that are sure to impress.

Cilantro Lime Rice FAQs

Can I use Minute Rice for cilantro lime rice?

If you are in a pinch and don’t have time to prepare rice on the stove, feel free to use minute rice! You will have to follow the cooking instructions on the box and then after that, just add in the rest of the ingredients from our recipe.

It’s a great option if you are out of normal rice or need to make a side dish in a hurry!

Do you use the stems of cilantro?

Yes, you can use the stems of a cilantro! Cilantro is one of the only fresh herbs where you can do that! Just be sure to chop the stems into small pieces.

Can I add cheese to cilantro lime rice?

You bet you can add cheese to this cilantro lime rice! We suggest adding a 1/4 cup of grated cotija cheese. It adds a nice salty bite!

How do you store cilantro lime rice?

Once your cilantro lime rice is completely cool, you can store it in an airtight container for up to a week in the refrigerator.

5 from 2 votes

Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe

Make this cilantro lime rice for an easy and flavorful addition to any of your favorite meals! If you like Chipotle’s cilantro lime rice, you are going to love this dish! You can make it with white rice or brown rice and is great for meal prep.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 35 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Servings: 6
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Ingredients 

Cilantro Lime Brown Rice

  • 2 cups uncooked long grain brown rice
  • 4 cups water
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (not packed)
  • cup fresh lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt*

Cilantro Lime White Rice

  • 2 cups uncooked long grain white rice
  • 4 cups water
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (not packed)
  • cup fresh lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt*

Instructions 

  • Place 2 cups of rice and 4 cups of water into a medium saucepan. Then, bring to a rolling boil on the stove top over medium high heat.
  • Reduce heat to low and cover for 35-40 minutes, or until water is absorbed, stirring halfway through.
  • Transfer rice into a bowl and let cool in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
  • Next, chop fresh cilantro and juice limes.
  • Once rice has cooled, add in chopped cilantro, lime juice, garlic powder, and sea salt. Stir to combine.
  • Serve warm.

Tips & Notes

  • Salt: option to add more salt as needed. We actually used around a full teaspoon, but add salt to taste.
  • Nutrition information: is for brown rice.
  • *This recipe was updated on April 28, 2020

Nutrition

Calories: 231 kcal, Carbohydrates: 48 g, Protein: 5 g, Fat: 2 g, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 1 g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Photos by: The Wooden Skillet

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About Lee Funke

Lee is the founder of Fit Foodie Finds and based in Minneapolis, MN. She started this website in 2010 as a way to share her love for real food and wellness. The internet has changed so much since then and so has Fit Foodie Finds. Today we're a female-run recipe website publishing hundreds of tried and true recipes developed and tested by our team.

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Tessa
Tessa
September 2, 2024 12:34 am

5 stars
The flavor of the rice was 👌. Such a great way to add dimension to the meal. ❤️ yum! Can’t wait to eat this again!

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marybeth
marybeth
August 24, 2020 5:57 am

I’m going to make this tomorrow night, just wondering if you’ve ever substituted quinoa for the rice?

Gloria
Gloria
April 7, 2020 7:51 pm

I don’t know how I feel about this, I currently just followed all the steps but right after I transfer it to the bowl from the stove, steaming hot, I put it in the fridge?

Laurie
Laurie
February 24, 2019 12:07 pm

Just want to clarify that the juice of one lime and 1/4 cup of lime juice are VERY different amounts. For example, it took me four limes to get 1/4 cup and it made my rice almost inedible.

Margaret
Margaret
April 27, 2017 1:16 pm

Ok, clearly I’m the only person who is confused here, but would you mind please clarifying the ingredients list item that says “4 cups of water or (1/4 cup lime juice)”? I realize it doesn’t mean one or the other, but am I supposed to do both at the same time? Thank you!!!

Soma
Soma
April 28, 2017 11:22 am
Reply to  Margaret

Same question here >_<

Katie @ Old World Taste
March 14, 2017 11:52 am

This looks great! I haven’t been to Chipotle recently so I’m glad there is a healthy alternative out there so I can replicate it at home. I like to cook up a batch a brown rice for use all week, especially so I can make brown rice pudding too for breakfast. http://oldworldtaste.com/brown-rice-pudding-with-dried-fruit-compote/

Thanks for the recipe. Seems like it could be used with cooked rice too.

Majorgie
Majorgie
February 19, 2017 9:19 pm
Recipe Rating :
     

5 stars
I just made this tonight for the first time – it is amazing!

Edwina | The Induction Cook
December 31, 2016 10:16 pm

The flavors in this rice look delicious. I’m sure you’ve got a new rice cooker by now but just in case you’re interested, here is some info on the best induction rice cookers (these things produce amazing results): Induction Rice Cookers