This recipe for cilantro lime rice in rice cooker will easily become one of your favorites. It’s aromatic, fluffy, citrusy, and super easy to make! And it goes well with many dishes, from chicken to fish, to tacos and burritos.
Cilantro lime rice is a flavorful and aromatic rice dish from Tex-Mex cuisine. It’s a variation of regular cooked rice that’s infused with the bright and refreshing flavors of cilantro and zesty lime juice.
Making cilantro lime rice in a rice cooker is not only easier but since rice cookers are designed to cook rice evenly and consistently, you’re less likely to end up with overcooked or undercooked rice!
This Mexican cilantro rice recipe is incredibly versatile and can be served alongside a variety of main dishes, such as chicken skewers, beef, fish, or vegetarian options. It’s also a key component in dishes like carne asada bowl, tacos, and fajitas, adding a burst of flavor and texture to each bite.
Ingredients
Cilantro lime rice in rice cooker involves simple ingredients but when they come together, they create a well-balanced and versatile dish.
- Long-grain rice: You can use Mexican rice, Basmati, or Jasmine.
- Cilantro: Cilantro is fresh, citrusy, tangy, and complex. It has a more intense flavor than parsley and it’s a common ingredient in many Mexican recipes.
- Lime: Lime juice is a must and it provides some acidity and tartness. It also provides a little sweetness!
- Bouillon: I used vegetable bouillon, but feel free to swap for powdered chicken stock.
- Aromatics: Onion and garlic powder.
- Olive oil: Olive oil is very flavorful and aromatic, so it’s a great addition to the recipe.
- Salt. Any type of salt you prefer.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice in Rice Cooker
Place rice in a bowl and wash thoroughly changing the water three or four times or until the water becomes clean and transparent.
Drain the rice and place it in the rice cooker with garlic powder, onion powder, vegetable bouillon, and salt.
Top Tip: The amount of salt you need to add depends on the type of bouillon you use, some brands contain more salt than others.
Pour water (I am using 2 cups of water, but refer to your rice cooker instructions for better results). Add also 2 tablespoons of olive oil and a few sprigs of cilantro.
Stir to combine, cover, and set your rice cooker. Mine takes about 15 minutes to cook through long-grain rice. Again, check out your rice cooker brand instructions.
This is how the rice looks after exactly 15 minutes. You can remove the cooked cilantro sprigs or leave them, is up to you.
Allow the cooked rice to sit for another 5 minutes.
Now, take a fork and fluff the rice, be gentle, as is still warm, we don’t want to end with mushy rice. Allow to cool down completely.
While the rice is cooling down, wash and pat dry your cilantro, then finely chop it. Remember, you can also chop and use the cilantro stems.
Add to the rice the chopped cilantro, fresh lime juice, and the remaining olive oil.
Mix everything to combine. Adjust salt to taste and serve with your favorite main dishes.
Expert Tips
- When it comes to cilantro lime rice in rice cooker, the best type of rice you can use is long-grain rice like Jasmine rice, Mexican, or Basmati rice. This type of rice is more fragrant and contains less starch.
- Rinsing the rice before cooking helps remove excess starch, resulting in fluffier cooked rice with separated grains.
- You can also add the zest of one lime for extra flavor and aroma, just be careful when zesting the lime to only get the green outer skin. The white pith underneath is bitter and can affect the flavor of your rice.
- Be gentle when mixing the rice with chopped cilantro to avoid mashing the rice grains.
Ways to Serve Cilantro And Lime Rice
Cilantro lime rice in rice cooker is one of those side dishes that go well with a great variety of recipes. Here are my favorite dishes to pair with this rice:
- Chilorio (shredded pork).
- Mustard chicken thighs.
- Carnitas.
- Turkey quesadillas.
- Al pastor burritos (or burrito bowls!).
Store And Reheat
This cilantro lime rice in rice cooker is perfect to make ahead and store for later. Just place the rice in an airtight container and pop it in the fridge where it will last for up to 4-5 days.
You can also freeze it for up to 3-4 months, just transfer the rice to safe containers. I like to use zip bags and press the air out of the bags, but you can also use proper glass containers which keep best the flavors.
To reheat: Thaw the rice in the refrigerator overnight (if frozen), place in a pan, and heat up over medium heat mixing from time to time. Or pop in the microwave and reheat in 1-minute intervals.
FAQ
How do you add flavour to rice in a rice cooker?
There are many ways for adding flavor to rice in a rice cooker, for instance, you can use chicken stock instead of water to cook the rice.
Or you can also add a variety of seasonings & spices like garlic, onion, a pinch of cumin, or oregano.
Zest of lemon or lime is also a wonderful addition to add flavour and aroma.
What is the secret to fluffy rice in a rice cooker?
Achieving fluffy rice in a rice cooker involves a combination of proper technique and a few secrets:
-Wash the rice to remove the excess starch.
-Use your rice cooker settings for the type of rice you’re cooking.
-Do not open the lid until the rice is done.
-Fluff the rice gently to separate the grains.
More Rice Recipes
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Video
Cilantro Lime Rice In Rice Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups long-grain rice (Mexican rice, basmati, or jasmine.)
- 1 bunch cilantro (chopped, + a few sprigs)
- 1 lime (juice)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon vegetable bouillon
- 4 Tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Place rice in a bowl and wash thoroughly changing the water three or four times.
- Drain the rice and place it in the rice cooker with garlic powder, onion powder, vegetable bouillon, and a pinch of salt (read notes).
- Pour 2 cups of water. Add also 2 tablespoons of olive oil and a few sprigs of cilantro.
- Stir to combine, cover, and set your rice cooker.
- Once cooked, allow the rice to sit for 5 minutes.
- Using a fork, gently fluff the rice, then allow to cool to room temperature.
- Add to the rice the chopped cilantro, fresh lime juice, and the remaining olive oil.
- Mix everything to combine. Adjust salt to taste and serve.
Notes
- Rinsing the rice before cooking helps remove excess starch, resulting in fluffier rice.
- The amount of salt you need to add depends on the type of bouillon you use, some brands contain more salt than others.
- Add liquid and cook the rice according to your rice cooker manufacture instructions and the type of rice you use.
- For extra flavor and aroma, you can also add the zest of one lime. But be careful when zesting the lime to only get the green outer skin.
- Be gentle when mixing the rice with chopped cilantro to avoid mashing the rice grains.
Nutrition Information
Maricruz Avalos Flores is a Mexican cook and photographer living in Italy where she shares authentic Mexican & Italian recipes that can be easily made at home using easy-to-find ingredients.
Cilantro Lime Rice in a rice cooker is a game-changer! Aromatic, fluffy, and bursting with citrusy goodness. It’s incredibly easy to make and pairs perfectly with everything from chicken to tacos. A definite favorite!
I made this cilantro lime rice in my rice cooker last night and it was perfect! I ended up adding more lime juice than the recipe calls for because I wanted a deep lime flavor. the seasonings are just right and adding a bit of olive oil is just the perfect call. I will make it again doubling the recipe and bring it to church next Sunday, I am sure everyone will love it!