If you ask me, rice cooker cilantro lime rice is a game-changer for busy weeknight cooking.
This Mexican-inspired side dish brings fresh, zesty flavors to your dinner table without any fuss. The rice comes out perfectly fluffy every time, while fresh cilantro and lime juice add a bright, citrusy kick.
It’s as simple as tossing everything in your rice cooker and letting it do the work. A pat of butter and a pinch of salt bring all the flavors together, making it taste just like your favorite restaurant version.
It’s a foolproof recipe that goes with practically everything, from tacos to grilled chicken to burrito bowls.
Why You’ll Love This Cilantro Lime Rice
- Foolproof preparation – Using a rice cooker means perfect rice every time – no watching pots or timing needed. Just add ingredients and press start!
- Fresh, zesty flavor – The combination of fresh cilantro and lime transforms plain rice into something special that pairs perfectly with Mexican and Asian dishes.
- Minimal ingredients – You only need a handful of basic ingredients you might already have in your kitchen, making this an easy side dish to whip up anytime.
- Time-saving – While your rice cooker does all the work, you’re free to focus on preparing the rest of your meal – it’s the ultimate multitasking helper.
What Kind of Rice Should I Use?
Long-grain white rice is the way to go for this recipe, with both basmati and jasmine being excellent choices. Basmati will give you light, fluffy grains that stay separate, while jasmine offers a slightly stickier texture with a subtle floral aroma. Just make sure to rinse your rice well before cooking – this removes excess starch and helps prevent your rice from becoming gummy or mushy. If you’re in a pinch, regular long-grain white rice works too, though it won’t have quite the same aromatic qualities as basmati or jasmine. For best results, use fresh rice rather than rice that’s been sitting in your pantry for months, as fresher rice tends to cook more evenly and taste better.
Options for Substitutions
This rice recipe is pretty adaptable and you can make several easy swaps if needed:
- Long-grain rice: While basmati or jasmine rice work best for this recipe, you can use any long-grain white rice. Brown rice can work too, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time and water ratio according to your rice cooker’s instructions for brown rice.
- Grapeseed oil: Any neutral-flavored oil works great here – try vegetable oil, canola oil, or even light olive oil.
- Pink Himalayan salt: Regular table salt or sea salt work just fine – use the same amount.
- Cilantro: If you’re not a cilantro fan or don’t have any on hand, try using fresh parsley instead. The flavor will be different but still tasty!
- Lime: In a pinch, you can use bottled lime juice (2 tablespoons), though fresh is better. For zest, you can skip it if needed, or add an extra tablespoon of juice for more lime flavor.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake when making cilantro lime rice is not rinsing the rice thoroughly before cooking, which can lead to sticky, clumpy results – rinse until the water runs clear, usually about 3-4 times.
Another common error is adding the cilantro and lime too early in the cooking process – these fresh ingredients should only be stirred in after the rice is fully cooked and has rested for 10 minutes, otherwise you’ll lose their bright flavors and fresh texture.
To get the perfect texture, avoid the temptation to lift the rice cooker lid during cooking or right after it’s done, as this releases essential steam and can make your rice dry or unevenly cooked.
For the best lime flavor, remember to zest your lime before juicing it (it’s nearly impossible to zest a squeezed lime), and gently fluff the rice with a fork instead of stirring vigorously when adding your final ingredients to prevent the grains from breaking.
What to Serve With Cilantro Lime Rice?
This fresh and zesty rice makes a perfect base for so many meals! It’s especially good with Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes – try serving it alongside grilled chicken fajitas, spicy black beans, or your favorite tacos. For a simple weeknight dinner, I love pairing it with grilled fish or shrimp, which really complement the citrusy flavors of the rice. You can also use it as the base for a rice bowl, topped with roasted vegetables, avocado, and your choice of protein. If you’re making it for a casual get-together, serve it with some fresh pico de gallo and guacamole on the side.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: This cilantro lime rice stays good in the fridge for up to 5 days when kept in an airtight container. The lime and cilantro flavors actually get better after a day as they meld together! It’s perfect for meal prep and making ahead for busy weeknight dinners.
Freeze: You can freeze portions of this rice in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months. I like to portion it out in individual servings – it makes weeknight meals so much easier. Just press out as much air as possible before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
Warm Up: To bring your rice back to life, add a splash of water and microwave it covered for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. For frozen rice, thaw overnight in the fridge first. You can also steam it in a pan with a lid and a tiny bit of water until it’s heated through.
| Preparation Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Total Time | 25-40 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 300-350
- Protein: 4-6 g
- Fat: 14-16 g
- Carbohydrates: 45-50 g
Ingredients
- 1 cup white long-grain rice, rinsed (use basmati or jasmine, measured with rice cooker cup)
- Water (fill your rice cooker to the correct level for 1 cup of rice)
- 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil
- 1/2 teaspoon pink himalayan salt (add more if desired)
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (including stems)
- Zest from one lime
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (juice from roughly half a large lime)
Step 1: Prepare and Add Ingredients to the Rice Cooker
Start by adding your rinsed long-grain rice to the rice cooker.
Next, pour in the appropriate amount of water as directed by your rice cooker’s instructions.
Add a splash of grapeseed oil and ½ teaspoon of pink salt.
Gently stir the mixture with a spatula to ensure that the water evenly covers the rice.
Close the lid of the rice cooker.
Step 2: Cook the Rice
Set the rice cooker to the “Plain” setting or its equivalent, and follow the rice cooker’s instructions for cooking.
Allow the rice to cook until the rice cooker indicates that it is ready, usually with a beep or similar alert.
Step 3: Finish with Cilantro and Lime
Once the rice is cooked, open the rice cooker and use a rice paddle or spatula to fluff the rice gently.
Add in chopped cilantro, lime zest, and lime juice, and stir to combine everything thoroughly.
Taste the rice and add additional salt if needed to suit your preference.
Step 4: Serve and Prevent Overcooking
Unplug the rice cooker to avoid any further cooking or warming cycles.
Carefully remove the rice from the cooker and transfer it to a serving dish or use it as desired.
Enjoy your flavorful cilantro lime rice!