This Rice Cooker Cilantro Lime Rice is the perfect addition to any Taco night! This tastes exactly like what you get at Chipotle but in the comfort of your own home!
I don't know about you, but I love a big bowl of rice. It is so simple and the perfect side for almost any dish. I love to layer my taco salads with it or just eat it alongside tacos or sometimes I just make a big bowl for myself for an easy dinner. Rice is the perfect cheap staple. This Rice Cooker Cilantro Lime Rice is the perfect side dish for any Taco Tuesday night or just as a side dish for a delicious dinner. The rice cooker does almost all of the work for this and is the perfect hands-off recipe!
For some other great side dishes, check out this Ancient Grain Bowl with Roasted Vegetables or this Warm Basil Pesto Potato Salad!
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What Makes This Cilantro Lime Rice the Best?
- Hands-Off Recipe- The best part about this recipe is that it is made in the rice cooker. If you don't have a rice cooker, it is hands down one of the best appliances that I own. I use mine weekly and it has a permanent place in my kitchen. Sure, you can cook rice on the stovetop but then you have to watch it. The rice cooker does all the work and it is totally hands-off!
- Budget Friendly-This recipe is also budget-friendly! You can make this recipe for under $10 for 6 servings. White rice is incredibly cheap and then we just add some cilantro, limes, and green onions to finish it off!
- Fresh and Bright- There is something so bright about this recipe! I love the addition of fresh cilantro and fresh limes. Don't use bottled lime juice for this, squeeze those limes, it will make all the difference!
Ingredient Notes
- White Rice- The base of this side dish is white rice. I prefer white rice over brown rice because I love how it is a little more starchy and gets a little more fluffy.
- Cilantro-Cilantro is the fresh leaves of the coriander plant and is part of the parsley family. The taste is somewhat lemony and peppery.
- Limes- The acidity from the limes will pair great with the cilantro and bring brightness and freshness to the rice.
- Green Onions- The green onions are milder than other onion varieties and add the perfect amount of zing.
See the recipe card for the full ingredient list and quantities.
Instructions
- Add the rice, water, and 1 teaspoon of salt to a rice cooker.
- Cook until the water has been absorbed, then transfer the rice to a large bowl. Most rice cookers have a setting depending on the type of rice you use. For me, I clicked the "White Rice" setting.
- Transfer the rice to a bowl and fluff with a fork.
- Stir in the chopped cilantro, chopped green onions, lime juice, and lime zest. Add additional salt to taste.
Stovetop Instructions
- Combine the rice, water, and 1 teaspoon of salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 20 minutes or until all the water is absorbed.
- Transfer the rice to a bowl and fluff with a fork.
- Stir in the chopped cilantro, chopped green onions, lime juice and lime zest. Add additional salt to taste.
Hint: Most rice cookers have a button for each different rice type. It makes it really easy to use. For this recipe, press the "white rice" button.
Substitutions and Variations
- White Rice - If you are on a low-carb diet, you can still make this recipe using cauliflower rice! You won't need to use the rice cooker for it and cook the cauliflower rice according to the package directions.
- Cilantro - Some people find cilantro to have a soapy taste. You can either leave it out and just keep the green onions and limes or you can swap it for parsley. It will have a much milder taste.
- Green onions - You can leave out the green onions if you wish or swap them with some finely diced red onion if you want to give it a sharper zing.
FAQ's
It is best to use long grain basmati rice. You don't want to use short grain rice as it will not have the same texture that you are looking for in this rice dish. You can use either brown or white rice, I happen to prefer white.
Sure! I sometimes add garlic to the rice when cooking to give it a slight garlic flavor and I often top my rice with crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat.
If you are in a pinch, lemon does work instead of lime, however note that it will have a slightly more acidic taste and won't full replace the taste of lime.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. See below for the equipment you will need to make this recipe.
- Rice Cooker
- Glass Bowls
- Chef Knife
- Cutting Board
Storage
Store your cilantro lime rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 4 days. Note that the rice may dry out in the fridge. To reheat the rice, I always add it to a bowl with 2 tablespoons of water and microwave it until warm. The water will help create steam when heating the dish and rehydrate the rice.
Top tips
- Feel free to rinse the rice before cooking it if you prefer. Rinsing rice removes that excess starch, resulting in grains that are more separate when cooked.
- Most rice cookers use the ratio of one cup of rice to one cup of water. Use this same ratio to scale up when cooking larger batches.
- When following the rice cooker instructions, make sure to prepare the rice as dictated by your specific variety. You will also need to measure the rice accurately; most rice cookers will come with their own measuring cups.
What to Serve with This Cilantro Lime Rice?
- Easy Vegan Fajita Bowl
- Taco Bell Spicy Potato Soft Tacos
- Vegan Portobello Mushroom Tacos
- Vegan Taco Salad with BBQ Ranch Dressing
- Mouth Watering Vegan Birria Tacos
- Roasted Veggie and Black Bean Tacos
- Air Fryer Frozen Burritos
Rice Cooker Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups long grain basmati white rice
- 4 cups water
- 2 tablespoons lime zest
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 green onions chopped
- 4 tablespoons cilantro chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Add the rice, water, and 1 teaspoon of salt to a rice cooker.
- Cook until the water has been absorbed, then transfer the rice to a large bowl. Most rice cookers have a setting depending on the type of rice you use. For me, I clicked the "White Rice" setting.
- Transfer the rice to a bowl and fluff with a fork.
- Stir in the chopped cilantro, chopped green onions, lime juice, and lime zest. Add additional salt to taste.
Notes
- Feel free to rinse the rice before cooking it if you prefer. Rinsing rice removes that excess starch, resulting in grains that are more separate when cooked.
- Most rice cookers use the ratio of one cup of rice to one cup of water. Use this same ratio to scale up when cooking larger batches.
- When following the rice cooker instructions, make sure to prepare the rice as dictated by your specific variety. You will also need to measure the rice accurately; most rice cookers will come with their own measuring cups.
Nutrition
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Nora says
Never made cilantro lime rice before, but after reading your recipe I have to try! Thanks for the idea!
Joy says
This recipe seems easy to make and versatile, I can't wait to try it next time its Taco Tuesday!
Elizabeth says
This is so simple yet such a beautiful recipe! I love it.
Agnieszka says
This cilantro lime rice is better than at Chipotle!!
Oscar says
I love the cilantro and lime flavour combo, this looks like it will be right up my alley. So excited to try this, might try it with cauliflower rice too.
Jean says
adding cilantro and lime elevates rice cooking to enjoy more and together Im adding it to my taco bowl.
Addie says
So simple and so versatile! Yum!
Jerika says
I will try this Rice Cooker Cilantro Lime Rice tonight!:) A perfect combo with my Adobo. Thanks!:)
nancy says
wow this rice is wonderful! i love that it's a little acidic and so refreshing! it's perfect for warmer days!!
Sunrita says
What a brilliant flavourful rice recipe!
Jan says
A refreshing rice that’s was different to our normal rices. The kids loved it with chicken and the adults with tofu. Thank you
Alexandra says
The perfect side dish! This rice is wonderful and flavoursome - love the freshness from the lime.