This fresh and tangy cilantro lime rice takes less than 30 minutes and uses simple ingredients. A flavorful and healthy side dish that pairs well with any meal.
Quick and Easy Cilantro Lime Rice
Cilantro lime rice is a classic side dish that adds a refreshing and zesty twist to any meal. It’s a popular staple in Mexican and Latin American cuisine, but it also pairs well with many other dishes.
Made with simple ingredients—white rice, cilantro, lime juice, and garlic—this recipe is easy to make and can be ready in less than 30 minutes. I want to provide a step-by-step guide on how to make this delicious side dish. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting in the kitchen, this is a must-try recipe that is sure to impress!
Perfect With Blackened Fish Tacos
I love serving cilantro lime rice with my blackened fish tacos. The refreshing and zesty taste of the rice balances out the bold and spicy flavors of the blackened fish. The tangy lime juice and cilantro add a bright and citrusy note to the dish, while the rice provides a neutral base that allows the fish flavors to shine through. The light and fluffy texture of the rice also serves as a nice contrast to the crispy texture of the fish tacos. Overall, the rice complements the bold and flavorful profile of fish tacos, making it a perfect side dish for a satisfying and delicious meal.
This pairing has been a true hit with my family. Fish tacos were always something I struggled to find something to have a side dish with but this has solved that dilemma.
Detailed Ingredients Notes
Here’s some additional information about each ingredient used in the recipe:
- Olive oil: Used to sauté the onions and garlic, which helps bring out their flavors and aromas. I like extra virgin olive oil instead of vegetable oil, but either could be used.
- Onion: Adds flavor and depth to the dish. I use onion in what seems like every recipe. I tend to prefer sweet onions, but white works or even green onions.
- Garlic: A flavorful ingredient that’s used in many dishes around the world. It’s used in this recipe to add a pungent and savory flavor to the rice.
- Salt: A crucial ingredient used in this recipe to bring out the flavors of the onion, garlic, and rice.
- White rice or jasmine rice: Rice is a staple food around the world. This recipe uses white or jasmine rice as the base for the cilantro lime rice dish. I have used both, and there is not much difference. It is totally a preference of what you prefer.
- Water: Used to cook the rice and absorb the flavors of the other ingredients. With cooking rice, you always use twice the amount of water/liquid as you do rice.
- Lime juice: Balances the rice flavors and adds a zesty twist. I have used both fresh lime and bottled lime juice. Both options work well. I typically use bottled since it is easier to have readily available in my refrigerator.
- Cilantro: Added at the end of the cooking process to preserve its flavors and freshness. In the past, I have resorted to using dried cilantro, but I was disappointed in the flavor. Fresh is definitely the best for this recipe.
Step-by-Step Photo Guide
Zesty Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ⅓ cup onion chopped
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup white rice or jasmine rice
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- ⅓ cup cilantro chopped
Instructions
- In a medium-sized pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes or until it becomes soft and translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
- Add the white rice to the pot and stir to coat it with the onion and garlic mixture. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until the rice becomes lightly toasted.
- Add the 2 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the pot and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 18-20 minutes or until the rice is tender and all the water has been absorbed.
- Once the rice is cooked, remove the pot from the heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and add the lime juice and chopped cilantro. Mix well until the rice is evenly coated.
- Serve immediately or keep warm until ready to serve.
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