The Best Cilantro Lime Rice
Elevate your meals with this Cilantro Lime Rice that tastes even better than what you’d find at your favorite restaurants! The secret is substituting water with chicken or vegetable broth for an extra flavor boost.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (280g) long-grain white rice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter (plus more for serving)
- ½ cup (70g) finely chopped onion (about 1 small onion)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
- 2 ¼ cups (530ml) water, vegetable broth, or chicken broth
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt (adjust to taste)
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 cup (30g) roughly chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems
Directions
- Rinse the Rice:
Place the rice in a fine mesh strainer and rinse it under cold water, using your fingers to stir the rice until the water runs clear. Drain well and set aside. This step removes excess starch, resulting in fluffy rice. - Cook the Rice:
In a medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, heat the olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the rinsed rice and chopped onion. Cook, stirring frequently, until the rice turns from translucent to a bright white and the onion softens, about 3-4 minutes. - Add Garlic:
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant but not browned. - Combine Ingredients:
Pour in the warm water or broth, stirring to dislodge any rice grains stuck to the sides of the pan. Season with salt, reduce the heat to the lowest setting, and cover with a lid. Cook for 15 minutes. - Let it Rest:
Remove the pan from heat and let it sit, covered, for another 10 minutes. - Check for Doneness:
After resting, uncover and check a grain of rice. If it’s still firm, cover and cook over low heat for an additional 5 minutes. If the rice looks too dry, sprinkle a tablespoon or two of extra water over it before covering it again. - Finish with Lime and Cilantro:
Once the rice is cooked, sprinkle the lime juice and chopped cilantro on top. Use a fork to gently fluff the rice and mix in the lime juice and cilantro. Serve warm.
Tips
- Brown Rice Alternative: For perfectly cooked brown rice, cook it like pasta in a large pot of lightly salted water for 30 minutes. Drain and let it steam off heat for an additional 10 minutes before stirring in sautéed onion, garlic, lime juice, and cilantro.
- Salt Adjustment: If using broth, taste it first to determine if additional salt is needed.
- Cilantro Substitute: If you’re not a fan of cilantro, you can substitute it with fresh parsley or omit it entirely.
Enjoy this flavorful Cilantro Lime Rice as a side dish or a base for your favorite protein!