Just like you would order at Chipotle, this Cilantro Rice is perfectly cooked and full of chopped cilantro, fresh squeezed lime and a hint of garlic. It is the perfect filler for a burrito or base for a burrito bowl or rice bowl. And last but not least a perfect side dish for any Mexican dinner, like enchiladas.
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A traditional side dish duo for Mexican food is rice and beans. Pair this Cilantro Rice with Instant Pot Refried Beans or 15 Minute Refried Beans for the best side dish combo.
RELATED: Mexican Rice and Instant Pot Mexican Rice
Ingredients
Basmati Rice: This is the perfect rice to make Cilantro Rice Side Dish. I will also use a Texmati rice, which is Texas style basmati rice.
You can also use a long grain white rice, just follow the adjusted cooking time on the package.
Garlic: Adds a layer of flavor to your Cilantro Rice.
Oil: Just use a flavorless cooking oil, whatever you prefer. We either use olive oil or canola oil.
Cilantro: Along with the rice and lime, the cilantro is the star of the show here. It has such a wonderful flavor. But, if you don’t like cilantro this recipe will not be for you, sorry. Head over to this Mexican Rice recipe instead.
Lime: Fresh squeezed lime juice and lime zest add a bright note to the cilantro rice recipe, just like you would get at Chipotle.
Kosher Salt: enhances all the flavors. Make sure you use kosher salt and not iodized table salt.
Basmati Rice Prep
There is a little prep required to make sure you have fluffy basmati rice, and not sticky or creamy rice (reserve that texture for risotto!).
You want to rinse away the rice starch that is clinging to the outside of the rice. There are two methods to choose from to prep your rice:
- Soak Method: Place a large bowl in the sink and pour in your rice. Fill the bowl with cool water and swish the rice around. Drain most of the water and then repeat by filling the bowl again. Continue repeating until the water runs clear from the rice.
- Sieve Method: Place the rice in a fine mesh sieve. Run cool water over the rice and stir with clean hands. Continue this until the water runs clear from the rice.
Cilantro Rice Side Dish
Cilantro Rice is a great side dish for just about any Mexican dinner; Tacos, Burritos, Enchiladas. Here are a few of our favorites:
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Cilantro Rice Recipe
Equipment
- saucepan with a lid
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Basmati rice - rinsed thoroughly, can also use Texmati
- 2 tablespoon olive oil or canola oil
- 3 cloves garlic - – minced
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 ½ cups water
- zest of 1 lime
- 1 ½ Tbsp. fresh squeezed lime juice
- ⅓ cup fresh cilantro - chopped
Instructions
Rice Prep
- With a fine mesh colander or large bowl, thoroughly rinse the basmati rice until the water runs pretty much clean/clear. About 2 minutes. *this removes some of the extra starch and makes fluffier rice.1 ½ cups Basmati rice
Cilantro Rice
- Add the oil to a medium saucepan (with a lid) over medium-low heat. Add the rice and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes.2 tablespoon olive oil or canola oil
- Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute.3 cloves garlic
- Zest the lime right into the pot, then add the kosher salt and pepper.1 tsp. kosher salt, zest of 1 lime, ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Pour in the water and give everything a stir. Turn the heat to medium high and bring to a boil.2 ½ cups water
- Once it boils reduce the heat to low and pop the lid on the pot. Cook (without peeking) for 18 minutes.Then remove from the heat, still covered, and let sit for an additional 5 minutes.
- Remove the lid and fluff the rice. Stir in the cilantro and lime juice.1 ½ Tbsp. fresh squeezed lime juice, ⅓ cup fresh cilantro
- Taste for additional seasoning (extra lime juice, extra cilantro or kosher salt) and then serve hot!
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Amelia Broekhuis
This rice side dish has wonderful flavor, and is super easy to make! I was grateful for Susie’s tips on how to make this ahead of time for a big family dinner. I made the rice the day before, and then reheated it and added the lime juice and cilantro just before serving. It was delicious! Thanks for a great new recipe!
Susie Weinrich
I’m so glad it was a success!