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Basmati cilantro lime rice is a make-at-home version of your favorite fast-casual rice. Whether you love Qdoba or Chipotle, this copycat cilantro lime rice recipe is so easy to make and much cheaper.
What Ingredients Are In Basmati Cilantro Lime Rice?
- Basmati Rice – Basmati rice holds up better during the cooking process than white rice. As long as the rice is rinsed very well before cooking, and not overcooked, it is less sticky.
- Water – The easiest of ingredients. Water is needed to rinse the rice and to cook the rice.
- Lime Juice – Lime juice gives the homemade cilantro lime rice a noticeable tang and flavor. This is one of the core ingredients.
- Cilantro – This is also one of the unmistakable ingredients. For most people, it has a slightly fruity and peppery flavor, but I know some people who hate it. Leave it out if that is you.
- Olive Oil – I like using olive oil, and it slightly oils the rice and keeps the rice from getting sticky.
- Salt – Salt adds a little extra flavor to the cilantro lime rice.
How To Make Cilantro Lime Rice?
A printable recipe card is found below.
This cilantro lime rice recipe is easy peasy to make at home. This copycat recipe can be on the table in less than 30 minutes.
- First, rinse the rice several times with a mesh strainer.
- Next, add the water to the large saucepan and bring to a boil. I use my Le Creuset 2 quart Dutch Oven. Add the rice and reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer covered for 15 minutes, then remove the pan from the heat for 5 minutes.
- Wash and chop the cilantro while the rice is cooking. Mix the oil, lime juice, and salt.
- Fluff the rice with a fork, then pour the lime mixture over the rice. Then, fluff the rice again to incorporate the mixture. Gently stir in the cilantro and fluff again.
- Serve and enjoy!
What To Serve With Basmati Cilantro Lime Rice?
- Enchiladas
- Tacos
- Burrito Bowls
- Queso Fundido Con Chorizo
Basmati Cilantro Lime Rice
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Basmati cilantro lime rice is an easy homemade copycat version of your favorite at Qdoba or Chipotle. This cilantro lime rice has just 6 ingredients and is on the table in 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- 1/3 cup lime juice
- 1 1/2 cups basmati rice
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cups water
Instructions
- First, rinse 1 1/2 cups rice several times in a mesh strainer to remove starches that will make the rice sticky.
- Next, add 3 cups water to a large saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Add the rinsed rice to the boiling water and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer covered for 15 minutes.
- While the rice is cooking, rinse and dry the cilantro. Chop the cilantro and set aside. Mix the lime juice, olive oil, and salt.
- Remove the rice from the heat and let set for 5 minutes covered.
- Fluff with a fork, then pour the lime mixture over the rice. Fluff again to incorporate the lime mixture. Add the cilantro and fluff again.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
A saucepan with a lid can be used to rinse the rice instead of a mesh strainer. Fill the pan with water, drain the water out, repeat several time until the water is clear.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dishes
- Method: Stovetop