Cilantro Lime Rice

A garlic and herb white rice with fresh cilantro and lime for a bright herbaceous rice side or base.

This Cilantro Lime Rice is a flavorful side dish perfect for any Mexican or Latin-inspired meal. Fresh cilantro, tangy lime juice, and aromatic garlic and shallot create a delicious blend, while the rice is perfectly cooked and seasoned with salt, pepper, and a hint of red pepper flakes for subtle heat. A touch of Italian seasoning adds a unique twist that complements the other flavors beautifully, making this rice a crowd-pleaser and a household favorite.

Servings

3-4

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Total Time

30 minutes

Fresh
1 diced shallot
2 garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Zest and juice of 1 lime

Packaged
1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
1 tablespoon butter

Seasoning
½ teaspoon table salt, divided
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Sautéing the Aromatics
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add 1 diced shallot and cook for about 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in 2 cloves minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

Toasting the Rice
Add 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice to the pan and stir for 1–2 minutes to lightly toast the grains and coat them in the butter.

Adding Liquid and Seasoning
Pour in 2 cups water (or broth if preferred). Stir in ¼ teaspoon of the ½ teaspoon salt (divided), ½ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Bring to a gentle boil.

Simmering the Rice
Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15–18 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes.

Finishing the Dish
Fluff the rice with a fork, then stir in the zest and juice of 1 lime, the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro.

Serving
Serve warm as a bright, herbaceous rice with a subtle kick of heat and citrus.