Cilantro Lime Rice Dish (Printable)

Zesty rice infused with fresh cilantro, bright lime juice, and buttery notes, perfect as a flavorful side.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Rice

01 - 1 cup long-grain white rice (e.g., basmati or jasmine)
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Flavorings

05 - 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
07 - 1 teaspoon lime zest
08 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional, for finishing)

# Directions:

01 - Wash the rice under cold running water until the water turns clear.
02 - Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add rice, 1 tablespoon butter, and salt.
03 - Lower heat, cover, and gently simmer for 15 to 18 minutes until rice is tender and water is absorbed.
04 - Remove from heat, keep covered, and let stand for 5 minutes.
05 - Fluff the rice with a fork, then fold in chopped cilantro, lime juice, and lime zest.
06 - Stir in an extra tablespoon of butter for richer flavor if desired.
07 - Serve the rice warm alongside your main dish.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's impossible to mess up, even if you've only made rice a handful of times.
  • The bright citrus cuts through rich grilled meats and tacos in exactly the right way.
  • Everything happens in one pot, which means minimal cleanup and maximum payoff.
02 -
  • If your rice comes out mushy, you probably rinsed it and didn't dry it well enough before cooking, or you added too much water—next time, let the colander sit for a minute to drain fully.
  • The cilantro and lime go in after cooking, never before, because heat destroys their brightness and turns them into an herb-flavored mush instead of a flavor punch.
03 -
  • If you're cooking for someone who's cilantro-averse, you can substitute fresh parsley and add extra lime zest, and they'll never know the difference.
  • The single most important thing is not overthinking it—this dish's magic is in its simplicity, so let the butter, cilantro, and lime do exactly what they're meant to do.
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