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This Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice is light and fluffy, with the fresh flavors of cilantro and lime. It comes together quickly and easily with just 5 ingredients, making it the perfect Instant Pot side dish for your next taco night or meal prepped burrito bowl!
If you're familiar with Chipotle's cilantro lime rice, you'll appreciate this easy recipe that can be made in the comfort of your own home. We love it paired with easy shrimp tacos or these crispy pork belly tacos!
As a bonus, this rice is hands off and so simple to make in the Instant Pot. If you haven't tried making rice in your Instant Pot, I highly recommend it.
Other rice recipes we love making in the Instant Pot include this instant pot black beans and rice, instant pot sushi rice, instant pot Spanish rice, instant pot jasmine rice and this instant pot wild rice.
Check out the Instant Pot cilantro rice story!
Why this recipe works
- You need just 5 ingredients and minimal prep time, which makes this a super easy side dish for busy weeknights.
- This rice takes less time to cook than the traditional stovetop method of preparing rice, and it's completely hands off in the Instant Pot.
- It's a simple side dish, making it great for meal prep, but the flavor profile makes it fancy enough for a special dinner!
Ingredients
This cilantro lime rice tastes like a fancy rice dish but it is so easy to make with just 5 ingredients!
You'll need 2 cups of long-grain white rice. Basmati works well but you can also use jasmine rice.
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of lime juice and 2 teaspoons of lime zest.
A lime usually yields about 2 tablespoons of juice and 2 teaspoons of zest, so you'll need to pick up at least 2 limes for this recipe. It's also better to have extra in case your limes don't yield as much juice as you need.
Cilantro adds a pop of freshness to the rice and pairs nicely with the tart lime flavor. I normally just use the leaves, but you can definitely chop up some of the stems too.
Lastly, you'll need butter and salt for added flavor.
Step by step instructions
Rinse the rice in a strainer and let it drain.
Combine the water, rice, butter, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, and salt in the inner pot of the Instant Pot.
**For the best results, I highly recommend using a non-stick insert for the Instant Pot. While it's not required, it makes cleanup easier and is very useful in many other recipes.
Put the lid on the pot, press the power button, set it to pressure cook on high for 4 minutes. Set the knob to sealing.
When the pot is done cooking, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes and then release the pressure.
While the pressure is releasing, chop your cilantro and zest your lime.
Fluff the rice with a fork and add the remaining lime juice, cilantro, and lime zest. Stir and fluff again.
Taste and add more salt, if needed. Serve hot.
Expert tips
- To keep the rice from sticking, I recommend using a non-stick insert for the Instant Pot.
- For the best flavor, always use fresh lime juice and avoid bottled juice, which can have additives.
- For extra flavor, instead of cooking the rice in water, try using broth.
- To zest the lime, you can use a zester or the fine holes on a box grater. You'll want to focus on grating the green outer peel, and not the pith underneath (the white part), as that can taste bitter.
Common questions
For the best fluffy texture, you should use long-grain rice for this recipe. I prefer basmati, but other types of long-grain rice, such as jasmine, will work too.
If you use other types of rice (not long-grain), you will need to adjust the ratio of water to rice, which I have not tested for this recipe. They also may not turn out as fluffy.
To ensure the rice turns out fluffy, it's always best to rinse the rice first. This will help remove surface starch, which can lead to clumped or mushy rice.
I know, the flavor of cilantro just doesn't work for some people. Ordinarily, I would suggest substituting fresh parsley for cilantro, which can work in a lot of recipes. The cilantro in this rice, however, is a key ingredient and adds a unique flavor, so I wouldn't substitute it with another herb.
If stored covered in the fridge, cilantro lime rice can last for 3-4 days. This does depend on the freshness of your cilantro and lime, so be sure to use the freshest ingredients possible.
You can reheat it in the microwave or in a skillet over medium-low heat.
Serving options
- Serve this rice on the side with tacos or enchiladas.
- Add it to burritos or as a base for burrito bowls.
- Top it with shredded pork, beef or chicken.
- Pair it with these slow cooker pork carnitas or sous vide carnitas (both delicious!).
- Mix it in with your favorite green salad.
- Add it to these stuffed poblano peppers.
Make ahead instructions
Since this rice stores well in the fridge and can last for 3-4 days, you can make this rice on the weekends for meals during the week.
Just cook the rice according to the instructions, store in the fridge and when ready to eat, just reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Freezing instructions
To freeze this rice, just let it cool completely in the fridge and then transfer it to freezer-safe bags. It should last for 1-2 months in the freezer.
To defrost, just let it sit overnight in the fridge and then reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out!
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups long-grain white rice basmati or jasmine
- 2 cups water
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons lime juice divided
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
- 2 teaspoons lime zest
Instructions
- Rinse the rice thoroughly in a strainer and let it drain.
- Combine the water, rice, butter, 2 tablespoons lime juice, and salt in the inner pot of the Instant Pot.
- Put the lid on the pot, press the power button and set it to pressure cook on high for 4 minutes.
- Set the knob to sealing.
- When the pot is done cooking, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes and then release the pressure.
- Fluff the rice with a fork. Add the remaining lime juice, cilantro, and lime zest. Stir and fluff again.
- Taste for salt and add as needed. Serve hot.
Expert Tips:
- To keep the rice from sticking, I recommend using a non-stick insert for the Instant Pot.
- For the best flavor, always use fresh lime juice and avoid bottled juice, which can have additives.
- For extra flavor, instead of cooking the rice in water, try using broth.
- To zest the lime, you can use a zester or the fine holes on a box grater. You'll want to focus on grating the green outer peel, and not the pith underneath (the white part), as that can taste bitter.
Nutrition
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