Make Cilantro Lime Rice in your rice cooker! Fragrant tangy rice is seasoned with fresh lime juice, zest, and cilantro to create a simple side dish that pairs perfectly with tacos, burrito bowls, and more!
I love rice, but to be completely honest, when I make it on the stovetop, it never turns out! It’s either too wet, or it burns. Usually, it burns. Then I learned how to make rice in my Ninja Foodi, and I haven’t looked back! It works every time, and my rice is light and fluffy without fail!
Today, I was making my Copycat Chipotle Sofritas and thought a copycat version of Qdoba’s cilantro lime rice would pair perfectly with the spicy adobo sauce. But I knew I could not make it on the stove. So instead, I opted for my rice cooker, only I added fresh lime juice and cilantro to give it a tangy and refreshing flavor.
Wow! This cilantro lime rice recipe turned out exactly the way I had imagined! Light, fluffy, tangy, and refreshing!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Quick and Easy
- Light and Fluffy Rice
- Fresh Ingredients
- Tangy and Refreshing
- Versatile Side Dish
Ingredients and Notes
Long-Grain White Rice: I use basmati rice, but any long or medium-grain white rice will work. There are many different types of rice from short-grain, brown, sushi, and jasmine rice. You could use any of these types of rice for this recipe, however the rice to water ratio will vary.
Fresh Lime: You’ll need the zest and juice of one medium lime. This equated to about two tablespoons of zest and a ¼ cup of juice.
Fresh Cilantro: Roughly chopped, ¼-1/2 a cup.
Dash of Salt: Added to the rice during the cooking process.
Rice to Water Ratio Based on Type of Rice for Your Rice Cooker
Note:These are estimates. See your rice cooker manual for a definitive guide.
- Long Grain White Rice: 1:1.75 ratio (1 cup rice to 1 ¾ cups water)
- Medium Grain White Rice: 1:1.5 ratio (1 cup rice to 1 ½ cups water)
- Short Grain White Rice: 1:1.5 ratio (1 cup rice to 1 ½ cups water)
- Brown Rice: 1:2 ratio (1 cup rice to 2 cups water)
- Basmati or Jasmine Rice: 1:1.5 ratio (1 cup rice to 1 ½ cups water)
Instructions: Cilantro Lime Rice (Rice Cooker)
Step 1: Rinse two cups of long-grain white rice under cool water until the water runs clean. This removes any excess starch. Transfer the rice to the rice cooker pot. If your rice cooker comes with a measuring cup, use it to measure your rice and water.
Step 2: Add two cups of filtered water to the rice cooker pot. Transfer the rice cooker pot to the rice cooker. Add ¼ cup of lime juice, two tablespoons of lime zest, and a dash of salt. Turn the rice cooker on, and choose the setting you prefer. Most rice cookers have one setting you turn on, while others have 2 settings (quick and normal). Choose the one you prefer if your device has more than one setting.
Note: While the rice is cooking, keep the lid on. Do not remove the lid during the cooking process. This will allow the steam to escape and cause your rice to come out dry or uncooked.
Step 3: Once the rice is done, allow it to sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Add the chopped cilantro and gently fold it into the lime rice.
Step 4: Transfer the rice to a serving dish, and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
The key to flavoring rice in the rice cooker is to keep it simple with a few spices. It’s not a great idea to prepare something like Mexican red rice in the rice cooker because there are a lot of ingredients, and the control with which the other ingredients need to cook will not result in the best overall texture. However, it is OK to either add a few spices to your rice while cooking in the rice cooker or instead to fold a few ingredients and spices into the rice after cooking in the rice cooker.
If you’d like more flavor to your rice, consider using vegetable or chicken broth instead of water. As in this recipe, we’ve used lime juice and zest to infuse the rice with flavor. Consider adding diced tomatoes, minced garlic, or a touch of olive oil with fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme.
The ratio of rice to water when using a rice cooker is 1:1. For every one cup of rice, add one cup of water. You may need to add a little extra water if you like your rice wetter. Consider adding ¼ cup more rice for every cup of water for moist rice.
Yes, you can certainly substitute brown rice for white rice. Use 2 cups of brown rice and 4 cups of water. Brown rice needs a rice-to-water ratio of 1:2. Brown rice has more fiber and will have a slightly different taste than if you use white basmati or jasmine rice.
Expert Tips
- Check your rice cookers manual for the exact rice to water ratio for you device. They may vary slightly from the recipe based on your machine.
- Do not lift the lid while the rice is cooking.
- Allow the rice to sit for another 5 minutes before removing the lid when the cooking process is done.
- Please don’t add cilantro to the rice while it cooks in the rice cooker. This can cause the cilantro to wilt and brown. Instead, stir it into the rice after it’s done cooking.
- If the rice needs more moisture, consider adding a few tablespoons of avocado or olive oil to moisten the rice.
How to Serve Cilantro Lime Rice
There are so many ways to enjoy this recipe!
- Stuff into Burritos
- Add to Burrito Bowls
- Add to Tacos
- Serve beside Sofritas or Vegan Chorizo
- Mexican Street Corn
- Tofu Fajitas or Vegetable Fajitas
- Chili
- Quesadillas
- Jackfruit Curry
- Tostadas
- Black Bean Soup
- Budha Bowls
How to Store and Keep
Allow the rice to cool to room temperature. Transfer the rice to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When ready to reheat, add a few tablespoons of water, and warm in the microwave covered.
More Rice Recipes!
Recipe
Cilantro Lime Rice (Rice Cooker)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups long grain rice see notes for rice to water ratio for different types or rice
- 3 ½ cups water see notes for rice to water ratio for different types or rice
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tablespoon lime zest
- ¼ cup lime juice
- ½ cup cilantro roughly chopped
Instructions
- Rinse two cups of long-grain white rice under cool water until the water runs clean. Transfer the rice to the rice cooker pot. If your rice cooker comes with a measuring cup, use it to measure your rice and water.
- Add two cups of filtered water to the rice cooker pot. Transfer the rice cooker pot to the rice cooker. Add ¼ cup of lime juice, two tablespoons of lime zest, and a dash of salt. Turn the rice cooker on, and choose the setting you prefer. Most rice cookers have one setting you turn on, while others have 2 settings (quick and normal). Choose the one you prefer if your device has more than one setting.
- Once the rice is done, allow it to sit for 5 minutes before fluffing it with a paddle. Add the chopped cilantro and gently fold it into the lime rice.
- Transfer the rice to a serving dish, and enjoy!
Notes
-
- Long Grain White Rice: 1:1.75 ratio (1 cup rice to 1 ¾ cups water)
-
- Medium Grain White Rice: 1:1.5 ratio (1 cup rice to 1 ½ cups water)
-
- Short Grain White Rice: 1:1.5 ratio (1 cup rice to 1 ½ cups water)
-
- Brown Rice: 1:2 ratio (1 cup rice to 2 cups water)
-
- Basmati or Jasmine Rice: 1:1.5 ratio (1 cup rice to 1 ½ cups water)
-
- Check your rice cookers manual for the exact rice to water ratio for you device. They may vary slightly from the recipe based on your machine.
- Do not lift the lid while the rice is cooking.
-
- Allow the rice to sit for another 5 minutes before removing the lid when the cooking process is done.
-
- Please don’t add cilantro to the rice while it cooks in the rice cooker. This can cause the cilantro to wilt and brown. Instead, fold it into the rice after it’s done cooking.
- If the rice needs more moisture, consider adding a few tablespoons of avocado or olive oil to moisten the rice.
-
- Stuff into Burritos
-
- Add to Burrito Bowls
-
- Add to Tacos
-
- Serve beside Sofritas or Vegan Chorizo
-
- Mexican Street Corn
-
- Quesadillas
-
- Tostadas
-
- Budha Bowls
Biana
What a simple idea for a side dish for tacos! This rice dish looks so flavorful.
Kate
This is such a great way to jazz up rice and make it so flavorful! Loved it.
TAYLER ROSS
I made this rice for Taco Tuesday this week and it was amazing! Definitely one of our new go to side dishes!
Gloria
This is the perfect side dish for fish or chicken. We love all kinds of tasty rice.
Ned
This is some of the best rice I’ve ever had! Thank you so much!
Beth
This looks tasty! I love cilantro lime rice. I make it all the time with my tacos. I can’t wait to try this one.
Shelby
This is just the recipe I needed – so easy and delicious. Perfect with all my favorite Mexican foods!
TAYLER ROSS
This is the best rice recipe! I made it for taco night last night and it was wonderful!
Kathleen
Easy to make and great flavor, this rice is a perfect accompaniment for any main dish.